Page 23 of The Mayor and the Mystery Man

Vernita checked her watch.

“Is it that time?” I checked my watch, too, then went back to checking out Dusty.

What the hell was I doing? I scrambled out the door.

Dusty followed behind me. “Let’s cross our fingers and hope this doesn’t blow up in our face.”

Oh, I was crossing every finger and every toe.

And reminding myself not to check out my straight best friend.

7

DUSTY

Leo had arranged for the interview to take place at his friend Mitch’s bar. It was safe, neutral ground that he said would help him stay at ease. Stone’s Throw Tavern was off the main strip of Sourwood, and much nicer inside than its outside suggested. It was surprisingly expansive with windows that overlooked the river.

I jumped when Leo’s hand pressed on my lower back.

“What are you—”

“She’s here,” he said through his smile.

Leo guided us to a corner booth where Maria Lopez fromThe Sourwood Gazettewaited with a glass of orange juice.

His warm hand pressed firmly into the small of my back. I sunk into his touch.

“Maria. Always a pleasure.” Leo stuck out his free hand for a shake.

“Mr. Mayor. Good to see you again.” Her long hair fell over one shoulder. She had the kind of amiable smile that belied a curiosity lighting up her eyes. I’d seen this smile on journalists interviewing Audrey when they wanted her to let her guard down so they could get a juicy quote.

“This is Dusty Michaelson.”

“Great to meet you,” I said with my own amiable smile. I wasn’t going to let her score any gotcha moments.

“Likewise,” Maria said and jotted something down on her notepad. “I’d thought Dusty was short for Dustin, but it’s not. It’s just Dusty.”

“My dad was a preacher, so I am a literal son of a preacher man.”

“Dusty Springfield.” She nodded and jotted.

“How did you know my name wasn’t Dustin?”

“I did a little background research.”

“Oh.” My stomach dropped. Was background research necessary in a light, fun interview? Seeming to sense my nerves, Leo rubbed my lower back, and damn if his hand didn’t feel good down there.

“I wanted to find out about the mayor’s new mystery man! Don’t worry. I don’t know your social security number. Yet.” She laughed as she pointed to the booth. “Here, have a seat.”

I slid in, then Leo. Our knees touched under the table, and I flinched for a second before remembering that this was part of the plan.

He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close, sending jolts of something into my veins. Maybe I should’ve looked at the dossier to see what the protocol was about touching.

Is this okay?his eyes asked me.

I replied with a terse nod, nerves from the touching and the background research flooding me. I placed my hand on his knee, which was new after twenty-four years of friendship, but to my pleasant surprise, felt natural.

“How are you feeling?” he whispered in my ear while Maria set up her tape recorder.

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