Page 18 of Fake-Off with Fate
“How much time do you think we have before this guy shows up in person?” Marcy wants to know.
I take a sip of my cider before answering, “His lawyer expects everything to be turned over ASAP.”
“Let me see what I can find out. But you might need to make the offer before we have the actual money. Either way though, you’re going to have to tell the town about this soon,” Marcy says.
“You’re right,” I tell her. “If you can’t find a solution, we’re going to need the support of everyone. I can’t solve this on my own.”
“You can count on me, Ms. Thompkins.” She leans forward and offers an exaggerated wink. I have the sense Marcy spends more time with spreadsheets than people. “I’ll stop by Town Hall later to collect the necessary documents.”
Looking at my phone, I realize I’m late for my next appointment, so I stand up and tell her, “Thanks for meeting me, Marcy, and good luck. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Then I turn and walk out of the bakery and make my way across the street to the diner. I have the captain of a hockey team waiting for me.
CHAPTER 10
JAMIE
The mayor isten minutes late for our dinner meeting. I figure I’ll give him another five and then I’ll go ahead and order my food to go.
I’m about to signal to the waitress when a very pretty woman wearing jeans and an orange sweater approaches my booth. She’s average height but not at all average looking. Her hair is a touch lighter than classic auburn but it’s not what I’d call red. “Hi there,” she says while sitting down across from me. “I’m Ashlyn.”
Well, this is awkward. I wonder if she thinks I’m her blind date or something. “Jamie Hayes,” I say, expecting her to realize her mistake.
“I know. You’re the captain of the Ice Breakers, right?”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I doubt it, because I don’t know you.” She takes a sip of the water glass the waitress left for the mayor.
“If you don’t know me, then why are you sitting with me?”
The question seems to startle her because she looks up and stares at me like a deer in the headlights of oncoming traffic. “I forgot you didn’t know that I was meeting you instead of my father.”
“You’re Mayor Thompkins’ daughter?”Holy heck, is the mayor trying to set me up with his daughter? I don’t care how pretty she is, that’s not cool.
“My dad got stuck in a meeting and he asked me to come in his place,” she explains.
“So, you’ve been tasked with trying to talk me into co-chairing Maple Fest?” If I had to guess, I’d say this was intentional manipulation on the mayor’s part. Little does he know I have no problem saying no to an attractive woman.
“I couldn’t care less if you co-chaired Maple Fest,” she says. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t do it. My dad is a lunatic about that event.”
Now I’m super confused. “So, you’re here to tell me all about Maple Falls?”
“Nope,” she says, before turning her menu over to look at it.
“Why are you here then?”
“I told you. My dad asked me to take his place,” she answers. “I’m sure he’ll reschedule sometime soon and try to convince you to do his bidding.”
I make a move to stand up. “If we have nothing to discuss, there’s no reason for me to stay.”
She motions for me to sit back down. “We both need to eat. Why don’t we just enjoy supper and then we can go our separate ways.”
I shift nervously in my seat before telling her, “I’m not interested in dating anyone.”
Ashlyn rolls her eyes. “I hear you.” Then she signals the waitress. I have no idea if that means she’s not interested in dating, either, or she’s hoping to change my mind.
The waitress appears before I can get clarification. “Ashlyn Thompkins! When did you get home?”
