Page 95 of Someone to Tempt
“I heard you. Is that why you dated him?”
“Of course not.”
“Then you aren’t like Mom. She craved the drama and chaos her actions caused as much as the romance it resulted in. You aren’t the same. And I’m guessing there’s more to the story than you’re telling me.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to make excuses for my behavior. I hurt innocent people.”
“I’m guessing you were also hurt.”
“Idon’t matter.”
“You’re wrong. Youdomatter. You matter to me. To your friends. You matter to the people of this community, where you’ve somehow made a home despite the destruction left in mine and Mom’s wake.”
He reaches out and taps a finger on the top of my head. “Use that big brain of yours. Do you think I would have gotten the job at the diner if it weren’t for you?”
“I didn’t pull any strings.”
“You don’t have to pull strings. People here like you. They respect you.”
“They wouldn’t if they knew what I’d done. I’m not going to take a chance on anyone finding out. I’m dropping out of the mayor’s race and taking a job in Seattle.”
I take another sip and wait for the cold concoction to help with my overheated cheeks.
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
“Iris, I almost killed innocent people by being stupid and reckless, and I’m back here. Facing my past. Are you going to let one mistake steal your life?”
“It’s not only about me.”
“Maybe it should be.”
“If I don’t do this, innocent people could suffer.”
“The man’s wife and kids?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “I don’t want to go into details because if it ever comes to light, I don’t want you to have to lie.”
“Iris, I’ll lie for you. I’ll kick ass for you. Let me help.”
“Not with this. You have to trust me.”
“Okay, you drop out of the race. So what? You don’t have to leave Skylark. You love this town. But...hell, I’m not even sure you want to be elected.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You want to do good. You want to help families—kids who need it like we did. But the handshaking and community cheerleading? It’s not exactly your wheelhouse.”
“I’mfun,” I insist, wrinkling my nose. “I’ve rehabbed my image. Ask anyone.”
“I’m not debating your fun factor. Half the reason I came here is because you’re my favorite person in the whole damn world. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You’re great just the way you are.”
“I’m a porcupine,” I tell him.
He rolls his eyes. “To me, it’s more feral cat energy. People love asshole cats. Remember the cat with resting bitch face? That asshole pussy made tons of money.”
I laugh at his crass joke. “I’m not Grumpy Cat, Nick.”
