Page 48 of Flake It Til You Make It

Rocco wanted to roll his eyes. How did this guy makegreat jobsound like the opposite? And relegating Taylor to an assistant to the mayor when the truth was he was a power in his own right?

But he didn’t. Taylor’s face was implacable, blank, and he just nodded. Rocco wasn’t going to embarrass him, even if he wanted to tell this guy where he could put his backhanded compliments.

“Thank you,” Taylor said stiffly.

“You do invaluable work behind the scenes,” Steve said, and the insinuation was not even veiled any more. Taylor should keep the deputy job and continue to do all the work, unacknowledged while Steve got the public-facing job and took all the credit.

“He does more than that,” Rocco said. He kept his voice smooth and even, but his point was clear.

“Ah, well, a partner always believes that,” Steve said patronizingly. “And here’s my own. My wife, Laura.” She was just as blond and tan as Steve, and he was pretty sure she was wearing $5000 Gucci boots to mince around Sugar Plum Park’s snow-covered landscape, which really said it all, didn’t it?

She gave them each a nod. “Steve,” she chided. “I want you to come and say hello to the mayor. She’s with Heath Kelly, and you haven’t met him yet.”

“Sure thing,” Steve said, sending the pair of them a cocky, knowing grin. “Gotta make friends, you know?”

A minute later he was gone, none too soon, and Rocco turned to Taylor, still feeling his tense body, his face equally as strained. “God, he’sterrible,” Rocco muttered.

Taylor laughed, but he didn’t actually sound all that amused. “I know.”

“You hadn’t met him before?”

Taylor shook his head. “Could’ve done without it, too.”

“You’re going to get this job and send him back to Florida or wherever he came from.” Rocco said it with certainty.

But Taylor’s expression didn’t echo Rocco’s own belief. “I’m not sure I will. He’s working the council like a fucking politician. Not surprisingly, considering that’s why he wants the job.”

“Well, he can want it all he wants, ’cause it’s not happening,” Rocco said. “We’re gonna make sure of that. I can be just as good of a partner as his wife.”

“Iwouldlike you to see you navigate all this snow and ice in high-heeled boots,” Taylor joked, the tenseness in his face relaxing a fraction.

Rocco did roll his eyes then. “She was ridiculous. Also, someone should tell her that her Botox is showing.”

“Same as his,” Taylor said, and when he laughed this time, it sounded a lot more real.

“Please don’t get Botox to win this job,” Rocco said and reached up, smoothing away the creases on Taylor’s forehead. He was still worried. Rocco could see it by the shadows in his eyes. “You’re more qualified, you’re more capable, and frankly, you’re better for this town.”

“He looks better, on paper,” Taylor said.

“But in person? Oh, baby, you got him, hands down.” Rocco hoped Taylor would laugh again, and he did chuckle.

“I’m glad you’re on my side.”

Rocco opened his mouth to say he was, for as long as Taylor needed, foranythinghe needed, even if that was probably agoat cheesekind of declaration, but before he could, Jem was stepping forward on the stage, clapping for everyone’s attention, the demonstration beginning.

“Welcome to ice carving,” Jem said, his loud voice carrying across the crowd. “You all know Carl Nicholas and you might also be familiar with this other guy on stage . . .”

There was a round of cheers and applause as Murphy stepped forward, his head ducked low, an embarrassed smile on his face that softened when he looked over at his fiancé.

“Murphy’s been learning some from Carl, and he’s decided he’s going to give it a go this year,” Jem finished. “Welcome them both and we’ll do a quick Q and Aafter this, but in the meanwhile, enjoy watching them do their thing.” He shot Murphy a flirtatious look. “I know I will.”

Jem jumped down off the stage to another round of cheers, this time complete with a few catcalls.

“I wonder what they’re going to carve,” Rocco said, reaching over and grasping Taylor’s hip again, trying to drag his attention, which seemed divided, back to the stage. Back tohim.

He knew Taylor was worried about Steve and the job, but there was nothing he could do about it right now. In fact, hewasdoing something about it, already. Maybe Rocco wasn’t wearing Gucci boots but he was still a Moretti. He could go toe-to-toe with that lady and confidently come out on top, designer gear or no.

“Not sure,” Taylor said, relaxing a fraction.

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