Page 108 of That Kind of Guy

Isaac cleared his throat. “The issue is not with Ms. Adams buying the business but in Mr. Rhodes also running for mayor.” He looked at Emmett and I, and there was absolutely no emotion in his expression. Nothing. “It’s one or the other.”

My stomach shrank into nothing. “I’m going to sign the papers tomorrow. You can’t throw this curveball at me now.”

Isaac shook his head. “Sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

Either I could buy the restaurant,orEmmett could run for mayor, but we couldn’t have both.

I shot a glance to Emmett. He looked like he had been punched in the stomach, like he couldn’t believe it.

“That concludes town council meeting for today,” Isaac said, gathering his papers. “We’ll pick back up next month.”

There was a tense, uncomfortable atmosphere in the room as people filed out. Emmett and I stood there, frozen and staring at each other.

His throat worked as he swallowed. “We’re going to figure this out.” He didn’t sound like he believed himself.

I didn’t, either. “How? How can we possibly—”

“Avery, I am so sorry.” Hannah blinked furiously in front of me, twisting her hands. “I can’t believe he did that. I can’t believe he would stoop to that level.”

“What do you mean?” Emmett tilted his head at her. “Why are you sorry, Hannah?”

She bit her lip and glanced around to make sure no one would hear us. “Cynthia overheard us talking in the bookstore about—” She gestured between us with an emphasized expression.

Realization dawned on Emmett’s face. He looked at me like I was a different person. “You told Hannah?” His mouth fell open and he shook his head in disbelief.

I threw my hands up. “She’s my best friend and I didn’t think this would happen.”

Hannah buried her hands in her face. “I am so, so sorry.”

The way Emmett was looking at me, like he couldn’t believe I had fucked it all up, it broke my heart. He was right. I had done this. I told Hannah when I should have kept it a secret.

Emmett was changing his career, his whole life so that he could make this town a better place. It wasn’t just for Will, it was for everyone living here. His intentions were pure.

I couldn’t ask him to drop the campaign. I would never. Even if I wasn’t head over goddamned heels for this guy, I couldn’t ask that. This town needed Emmett as mayor.

Over his shoulder, I could see Keiko glancing across the room at me as Chuck spoke to her. She wore an expression of hesitance and her arms were crossed over her chest as he leaned down into her personal space, saying something. Her and her family put everything into that restaurant. I was supposed to carry on their legacy, carry on the heart and soul of the place they had worked so hard for, but now she was realizing that Chuck may be her only option.

This was too much. Keiko’s legacy, Hannah’s guilt, Emmett’s disappointment, I couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t think in here. I couldn’t get enough air. This room felt too small. I was suffocating.

“I have to go,” I told them and stepped through the door.

“Avery, wait.” Emmett was right behind me. “Let’s figure this out.”

I didn’t look back. “I need time.”

His footsteps stopped and I barrelled out of the building.

28

Avery

The knocking starteda few minutes after I closed my office door.

“I know you’re in there.” Max’s voice carried through the door.

I sat frozen in my swivel chair, hands over my face, staring through my fingers at the door.

The doorknob turned but I had already clicked the deadbolt closed. The doorknob rattled.

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