Page 46 of Resisting Temptation

“Don’t worry about me, I just have a lot going on trying to get everything lined up for you. I want this all to be perfect. You have to win, you know. It’s important to this town. And there’s been some negative publicity regarding Dr. Whittaker’s actions toward you yesterday. It appears he has a backing of supporters ready to defend his behavior and vouch for his character. I, for one, think it’s disturbing, but this town can be stuck in its ways.”

I knew there would be backlash. Deception Bay had no idea what the doc had been up to. And they still don’t have the full story, but the information leaked to the cops about what he’s been up to might just get that ball rolling. “Why is it so important to you personally that we beat Beckett?”

She stops in front of me, smiling a little flirtatiously. She takes my tie in her hands. “I like you, Noah. I think you would make an excellent leader. And if I’m honest, I can’t stand Beckett.”

“Did you guys date or something?” I ask, not understanding her hostility to the guy.

She looks at me, horrified.

“Sorry, I thought that was the obvious choice.”

“We didn’t date, how low do you think my standards are? When I took this job with Mayor Micheals, I pledged to serve this town alongside of him, and I want what’s best for the town. That’s you.”

I look her over, still not convinced they didn’t date. “It’s not something more than that?”

She looks at me with a longing I’ve seen before. “No.” She blushes, and I know it is something more, but this isn’t to do with Beckett. She’s got a thing for me.

I run a hand through my hair, knowing this isn’t ideal. I need to keep this professional.

“What’s the deal with you and Beckett’s campaign manager, anyway.” Her eyes meet mine. “Every time her name is mentioned you get all flustered.”

“I don’t do flustered, sweetheart.” I laugh off her comment, not wanting to discuss this with her.

“Except you do around her. Don’t think I missed the look you gave her the other day. And I think Emerson was on to something at the rally. You have a history. And I, for one, am worried it will affect our campaign.” She looks up at me, her blue eyes searching mine for answers. Answers that have nothing to do with this campaign, so she won’t be getting any of them.

I adjust my posture and straighten my shoulders, trying to work out what to say. “Paisley’s actions have no impact on me. You can relax because there’s nothing for you to worry about.” She might be my manager, but we’re not quite on friends’ terms, and I’m not comfortable telling her about my past with Paisley. I also haven’t quite worked Margo out yet. She’s becoming increasingly flirty with me, and her knowinghow I feel about Paisley could be a problem. One I don’t want to have to deal with today.

She brushes her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Well okay, but I would like to hope you can trust me and I will be the first to know if there is a problem I need to fix.”

“You will be,” I assure her.

I spot the table Paisley has set up with Beckett and a couple of their crew. They all wear navy-blue polo shirts with a logo that says, “Prescott for Progress: Leading Deception Bay into a Brighter Future!”I wonder if he came up with that or Paisley did. Does she really believe his bullshit? Or just hate me so much she thinks he’s the better option.

A man I haven’t seen in a long time approaches us. I hold out my hand. “Coach Smith,” I say with a grin.

He offers a firm shake with a nod of acknowledgment.

“Can you grab me something to eat? I’ve just seen someone I need to talk to about our campaign.” Margo says before rushing off in the direction of a group of women probably in their mid-fifties. They greet her warmly with kisses on cheeks and hugs. I don’t recognize them, but she fits in amongst them perfectly. All high-society types, flaunting their husbands’ money by trying to out-dress the others.

“Sad to see your football career is over, son. But you had a great run. Did me proud.”

“Thank you, Coach.”

“Bet you miss it.”

I sigh, feeling the heaviness of the loss. “You have no idea.”

“Oh, I do, son. I played professionally myself for a few years before I met my wife and settled down here. Coaching’s not quite the same as playing, but I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to watch my boys develop into the players that go off into the world and do amazing things with the foundation I gave them.”

“I have a lot to thank you for,” I agree.

“You know, if this mayoral thing doesn’t work out for you, I’m looking to retire at the end of the season. You would make the perfect addition to the team. It’s just a thought, now that you’re back in town.”

I study him. Coaching is something I considered after the accident, but coming back home to coach the high school team, I’m just not sure. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Nice to see you, son.” His hand claps my shoulder a couple of times. “Better go fetch the wife her breakfast.” He winks, leaving me alone again.

My attention returns to Paisley. She looks down, not her usual perky self, and I know her father’s arrest must be getting to her. Beckett leans in closer to her and says something, then the two of them go around the corner of the building. I follow them, when I’m stopped by a man in a pair of rubber boots. I take a step back from him when I work out I’ve seen him before.

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