Page 13 of That Kind of Guy

“Avery, I heard about Keiko selling the place,” Elizabeth said, a sympathetic expression settling on her features. “That’s too bad about your loan.”

My eyes widened. How did she know? Someone must have overheard us in the bookstore this morning. Or maybe someone saw me leaving the bank, looking pissed off.

I nodded, giving her a tight smile while my stomach twisted. Goddamn, this small town. I loved this place, but word spread fast. A knot formed in my stomach at the mention of the loan. “It’s certainly unexpected.”

She reached out and touched my arm. “I know how much The Arbutus means to you.”

I gave her another tight smile. I hated that people knew I couldn’t get a loan. Shame boiled in my gut. “I’ll figure something out.”

Emmett’s phone buzzed. “Hi Div,” he answered, standing and walking away from the table.

I shook my head after him. So rude. Polite men didn’t answer the phone while having lunch with their mom. Especially not moms like Elizabeth.

Through the windows that weren’t blocked by the world’s largest campaign sign, I spotted a group of people outside, gathering around someone.

“What’s going on out there?” I asked.

Elizabeth glanced over. “One of the kids in Ms. Yang’s class at school is taking care of the class turtle for the week. Don’t tell Emmett, he hates turtles. Avery, honey, did you see the magazine Emmett is on?” She lifted it up to show me, and I studied his image.

Damn, he was good-looking. Too bad his outsides didn’t match his insides.

Wait. “What do you mean, he hates turtles?”

She shook her head. “Can’t stand them. He ran into one with his bike when he was a kid and crushed it, poor thing.”

I wasn’t sure whether herpoor thingreferred to Emmett or the turtle, but I had spent enough of my day thinking about him so gave her another warm smile. “Okay, well, enjoy your food.”

Once the lunch rush died down, I retreated to my office and closed the door. I slumped into my chair and let out a long sigh. The bank was concerned that I couldn’t make payments in the event that the restaurant had to close temporarily. I either needed to find another source of income or get a loan from elsewhere.

A wave of despair and hopelessness washed through me, and I inhaled sharply through my nose. My eyes closed briefly, but I shoved the feelings aside. I wouldnotfeel sorry for myself, and I would not give up. I was going to find a way to get that money.

4

Emmett

“Hi, Div,”I answered with my phone against my ear, walking away from the table.

“The poll numbers are in.”

I stepped outside, where it was quieter. “And?”

“Isaac is ahead of you by a full twenty points.”

I nearly choked. “Twenty?” My eyes narrowed, and I wandered down the path before taking a seat at one of the benches. “It’s early. Our campaign just started. People need time to process the information. Did they say what it was in particular that made them hesitant to vote for me? Is it my experience? Because I have ten years—”

“—experience running a multi-million-dollar construction company, yes, everyone is aware. They saw the magazine cover. It’s been very popular on our social media, especially with women twenty to forty.”

Realization hit me. “I know what the issue is.”

He sighed with relief. “Good. I’m glad it’s clear to you, too.”

“I’m too handsome to be mayor. People don’t trust someone attractive to also be smart and capable.”

Damn my parents for passing on their good genes.

Div made an impatient noise. “No, Emmett, this may come as a surprise to you, but being good-looking is actually helping you in the polls.”

I could hear his eye roll on the other side, and I grinned to myself.

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