Page 35 of Building What's Meant to Be

I’m straight up in hot water. Not quite over my head but getting there. The case, I can handle. It’s the way this woman’s proximity raises my pulse, my temperature. I wasn’t just being coy when I said she’d be the future Mrs. Mayor. Okay, I was being a little flirtatious. But I’ve never used that line on anyone. I’ve never felt this strange rumble inside. It’s akin to seismic activity. Mini internal earthquakes building to the “Big One.”

My typical MO is maximizing fun with a fling while minimizing meaningful time spent together. That way no emotions come into play and no one gets hurt when I inevitably move on. A lot of people might disagree with my lifestyle, flitting from woman to woman, but it’s what works for me...because of my work.

Except for the idea of making someone my Mrs. Mayor hasforeverconnotations...and for the first time in my life, that amount of time doesn’t result in me zooming away on my motorcycle.

I tug on the collar of my shirt to circulate some air. Is it suddenly hot in here? When I shift, I slide a little on the vinyl seat, and my thigh brushes against Tinsley’s again. Like when we shook hands between the bars of our jail cells, tingles in the same family as pins and needles, but without the discomfort that leaves my limbs limp, vibrate up my arm. This is more of an energized feeling. Like her touch powers me up.

She shifts slightly away when Mae notices the contact.

“We’ve probably taken up these tables long enough,” Taylor says.

He helps Mae to her feet. The baby she’s got baking in there is going to be big.

“Mom, Dad, you need any help?” Cassian asks Rhondy and Paul.

They both decline, but he and Bess stay behind as Tinsley and I follow my other sister and Taylor toward the exit.

On the sidewalk, the O’Donnell family walks their new cocker spaniel puppy. Drawn to all things furry, Mae greets the dog and chats with Janet. Tinsley crouches down and plays with the puppy and chats with the kids.

Taylor’s eyebrows lift. “I have to admit that I was surprised to receive an apology from her and that she’s playing with the puppy and talking to the O’Donnell kids and that—”

I cut him off, afraid he’s going to point something out that I’m not quite ready to hear. “Is this one of those ‘Wonders never cease’ moments?”

“No, that happened when the two of you walked out of the police station together. We knew you were locked up, but my jaw just about bounced off the pavement when she followed in that getup.”

I exhale through my nose. “She’s hard to miss.”

Taylor turns to face me, eyeing me carefully.

“Don’t tell me that I have food on my face.” I wipe my lips.

“More like egg, bro.”

“Am I supposed to be embarrassed by something?”

“Yeah. Don’t let those sequins hypnotize you.”

“I’m not at risk of being lulled into an altered state by a dress.” But by the woman wearing the dress? That’s a different story.

Taylor grips my shoulder. “Aiden, I know you...and I know Tinsley. Remember? She’s one of the reasons I came back to Butterbury. You had to talk me off the ledge numerous times when she’d call me, harass me, and beg me to spend time with her. It was all for show. She’s a fake.”

I plant my hand on his shoulder. “Taylor, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m a professional.” Laughter lifts onto my lips.

“Yes, you’re a career-focused businessman, the kind of guy who plays the field, and is the last person I image to settle down.”

I hold my hands up in exasperation. “I’m in the process of building a house up on Riverview Street.”

Taylor tips his head from side to side as if I have a point. “Do I need to remind you about when she came here last time? When she humiliated me in front of a crowd and potentially ruined my future with Mae?”

“Yes, I remember that day and finding Murder Doll in my car.”

Taylor truly is like a brother which is why I notice the slight twitch of his lips like he’s holding back a laugh.

I wag my finger at him.

“Don’t get me off track. I’m trying to save you from yourself. I can read you too. Like a book. I see the way you look at Tinsley. The body language. The whole—” He does a poor imitation of my casual lean topped with a smolder.

“Is that expression or whatever you want to call it what won Mae over?” I tease.

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