Page 5 of Resisting Temptation

“I’ll be sure to.” I offer her a wave and take the handle of the door to give her the heads-up I’m closing it, with her still standing in the way or not. She takes the hint and moves aside. “Thanks again for dinner. That was too kind.”

“Any time, dear.” She brushes me off and carries on walking. Shutting the door, I lock it. Knowing what this town is like, the next thing, she’ll be letting herself in. I place the casserole in the empty fridge, Mrs. Rushford’s gossip about Paisley crawling up my spine. Does she really have that many men coming and going from herplace? There are three of them living over there, but I know the other girls. Gisele’s dating Brody, and Mae I’ve never seen with a guy before, so if there are guys around regularly, they must be Paisley’s friends. They won’t be dropping around now that I can keep a proper eye on her. I’ll make sure of it.

Surveying the chaos of stacked boxes now littering my new living room, I don’t know where to start unpacking. Before I have a chance, another knock sounds at my door. I close my eyes in frustration, trying to compose myself before I open the door again. What now? This better not be the granddaughter here to help. I open the door to find a meticulously dressed blonde woman in a cream pant suit. “Noah Harrington?” she asks with an unsure smile. The old woman was right. Her granddaughter is a looker.

“In the flesh.” My eyes roam over her. She’s probably thirty at most, with full lips painted in red and piercing blue eyes that smile shyly. “What can I help you with?”

She looks past my shoulder. “Sorry, you look busy. Are you just moving in?” Confusion clouds her pretty features.

“Just this morning.”

A hand comes to her chest, and she takes a step back from me. “My apologies for bothering you, but I was told this is where you lived. I didn’t realize they meant from today. Word around town was you have been here since just before Christmas.”

I glance at her again, wondering what her confusion is. Didn’t her grandmother send her to assist me, aware that I was moving in today? “I have been staying at The Alexander Hotel temporarily while helping a friend. But this is my place now.”

Understanding dawns on her as she nods in agreement. “I know Mr. Alexander well; our daddies were friends.” She drops her eyes shyly, holding out a hand for me to shake. “I’m Margo Parish from the mayor’s office. I have a proposition for you, Noah.” Her cheeks blush a pale pink as her eyes meet mine.

A smile twitches at my lips. “A proposition?” I ask, waiting for her to go on, keen to hear what she has to say. Looks like the whisper mill really does work as effectively as Emerson says.

She sighs heavily, like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. “Mayor Michaels is about to retire, and we have been hunting for a suitable replacement for months, but no one has fit the bill. I got chatting to Mr. Alexander late yesterday, and he mentioned you were home. I did some research overnight, and I think you would be the perfect candidate, Mr. Michaels agrees.” She smiles at me eagerly.

“Are you suggesting that I should run for mayor?” I ask, hardly able to believe how easy it was. Brody has more sway than he thinks. When the two of us came up with this idea a couple months ago, I didn’t realize it would all fall into place so nicely.

“Yes. The people of this town already adore you. If you’re interested, and I really hope you are, we would just need to send off some paperwork, then I can get the wheels in motion.” Her eyes linger on mine, the pink of her cheeks deepening to a beetroot red. I’m sure I’m better to look at than the old coot she’s been working with for the last six years. Maybe I can understand why it’s so easy.

There is just one thing that has me on edge. “You know who my father was, don’t you?”

Her posture straightens, and I notice the look of discomfort; she would be a fool to approach me if she didn’t know my father’s story. “Yes. As I said, I’ve done my research. What happened with your father was unfortunate, but we can’t all live off the reputations of our parents. No one will judge your character based off what he did. I certainly don’t. I saw the way you led your team to victory time and time again. You’re a force to be reckoned with, Noah. It would be a privilege to have you run this town.”

My smile brightens toward her, enjoying the praise. “Are you new around here? That’s exactly what these people do. I’ve been here a couple of hours and already had the run-down on the occupants of Main Street.”

“Mrs. Rashford?” She smirks knowingly.

I nod, unimpressed. What she said about Paisley is still bothering me. What did she mean, illegal? If she’s in some sort of money trouble, she should have come to me. I file that thought away to revisit with her later.

“Not when you have built such an excellent reputation for yourself,” Margo continues, and my attention comes back to her. “The good people of this town don’t even remember your father. It was so long ago. But they know you. They know your high school football team was the very first to beat the Bluewater Beach Eels. They know you brought your team to victory at the Super Bowl. You’re the talk of the town already. A local hero.” Her piercing blue eyes, blazing with unwavering determination, fixate on mine, silencing any doubt. It’s clear she believes in me and my ability to make a difference in this town.

For a second, I allow myself to envision the possibilities, the impact I could have as mayor. Thisis the change I need. A fresh start to show everyone I’m not washed up just because my football career is. This is my chance for redemption. To clear my family’s name and to get some revenge on the fuckers who have wronged me in the process.

A surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, causing my heart to pound against my chest. A thrill, like a jolt of electricity, courses through me, mixing excitement with a nervous flutter in my stomach. The feeling I used to get just before a big game. My lips twitch up at the sides. “You really think I could do it?”

Margo smiles sweetly under my attention. “You’re not able to play again. And you’re a permanent resident of this town now. I think this would suit you nicely.”

“Maybe.” As the seconds tick by, a growing certainty fills me. The scrutiny of the public can sure be both exhilarating and daunting at the same time, but it’s a road I know how to walk. Is this my next step? Brody doesn’t need me running security at the hotel anymore now that his security issue is all sorted. I’m looking for something to fill the days. The last Harrington to be mayor disgraced himself, and this town turned on him. Even if I am a sporting hero, why would they accept me into such an important role after what he did? It’s a question I’m going to have to find out, because this is my chance to make things right, and I’m going to take it.

Brody’s truck pulls into my driveway, with Gisele, his new girlfriend, sitting up front. Followed by Elliot and Parker in Elliot’s Range Rover.

Margo looks them over curiously. She wouldn’t be much younger than us, but I don’t remember her from school or from around town at all. “I’ll leave you toponder that idea. But don’t think on it too long. I need confirmation by Friday.” She hands me her business card. “Call me or drop by my office. We’re just up the street by Pecan Pie Bakery.” Her hand lingers in mine, and she looks up at me, her dark lashes fluttering shyly.

I give her a nod. “Will do. Thanks for stopping by, Margo. It was a pleasure to meet you.” I lay on the charm real thick. She’s my ticket back to some sort of normality. My way out of this limbo I’ve been in since my injury. And this job could change everything for me. It’s been a while since my career-ending accident. The public remains unaware of the circumstances surrounding my injuries; my manager successfully dodged around all details of the incident in the press conference in the weeks following it. And I have been happy to keep it that way, but something has felt as though it was missing from my life. A few somethings, if I’m being completely honest. My eyes wander back over to Paisley’s place again.

Margo passes Brody on the stairs; a quick smile is exchanged between them before she walks to her little red car. She waves goodbye as she jumps in.

The scent of warm pizza fills the air as Parker and Gisele walk past me into the kitchen, balancing several boxes and cans of drinks.

Brody eyes me with an intrigued expression, his gaze lingering as if waiting for me to speak, a silent question hanging in the air. “So?” he asks.

Elliot’s eyes light up. “Lucky man, just moved in and already got the girls flocking to your door. It should have been me the scouts picked, how different my life could be.” His laughter is filled with a sense of cheerfulness, but I know there’s pain behind hiswords. His life hasn’t ended up anywhere near where he thought it would, and as much as he jokes around, I know he’s hurting.

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