Page 114 of The Wild Card
“You sew?” Winnie asks, one eyebrow arched.
“It’s one of my many skills. Just call me Renaissance Wolf. I’ve got all kinds of hidden skills and talents.”
Winnie laughs, and beside me, Kalli groans.
“How are you with spreadsheets and budgets?” Collin asks, sounding pained.
I almost hop over the counter and give him a hug. His hair is mussed, and his expression is tight. The day after Winnie and James’s wedding, he told me about his idea for the field—a training and rehabilitation facility for elite and professional athletes. A day after that, he accepted an offer for Grit.
I went with him to Austin to sign the paperwork and celebrate. We stayed at Tank’s house, which is where Collin grew up. Sadly, his room didn’t have all his high school memorabilia and things, but Tank did stay up late telling me stories of Collin and his siblings from childhood, which was great. Then he talked to his dad about his idea, and now, things are in motion.
The offer for the gym wasn’t exactly what Collin was hoping for, but it did allow him to pay back his family’s investments. Now, with Winnie’s help, he’s working on a business plan. This is when I’m glad for both the village that is his family and also the village by way of Sheet Cake, because Collin has had all kinds of help. But the business planning and budget part is not his favorite, so he’s been stressed out rather than enjoying this stage.
“Sadly, I am not good at either of those things,” Wolf says.
“You are also not good at following directions,” Kalli says. “Remember when I kicked you out a minute ago?”
“Are you seriously saying my money’s no good here?” Wolf bends to slap a twenty down on the counter in front of me. “Because all I want is an iced mocha, and you can keep the change.”
I hold it up to the light, making a dramatic show of checking for the security strip. “I mean, if there’s no rule, I don’t think we have to refuse service,” I say, shrugging at Kalli. “At least he’s wearing pants.”
She rolls her eyes. “I see how easily your loyalty can be bought.”
“I mean, I’d kind of like to see him walking around in stilts while trying to drink a mocha. Wouldn’t you?”
Kalli considers. Wolf and I wait, and I swear, he and I are both holding our breath. “Fine. But you are not to attempt to drink this inside the store. You take your iced mocha, then get out of here. And you better believe I’m addingNo Stiltsto the rules.”
Wolf grins. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re sure you don’t want change?” I ask him, waving the twenty.
“Positive. You ladies work hard. Keep the change as a tip.”
“It is hard work dealing with so many high-maintenance customers,” Kalli says, topping Wolf’s drink with whipped cream and drizzling it with chocolate sauce.
Humming thoughtfully, Wolf says, “I can see that.” As though he isn’t one of those high-maintenance customers. “What other problems do you have as a business owner in Sheet Cake?”
Kalli passes Wolf the drink and gives him a suspicious look. “Why?”
Wolf shifts, standing on his full height in the stilts, which means his head is close to some of the exposed ducts in the ceiling. “Because you are looking at Sheet Cake’s newest mayoral candidate,” he says. “And I want to make sure I am getting to know my constituents as well as their wants and needs.”
Kalli and I exchange a glance.
“You’re running for mayor?” Collin asks, dropping his pen.
Kalli frowns. “Isn’t your cousin also running?”
“Billy—yes,” Wolf says. “It’s quite unprecedented.”
“Wow—a Waters versus Waters mayoral race,” Winnie says, picking up her phone. “I’m shocked I haven’t heard about this on Neighborly yet.”
“Oh, I just decided today,” Wolf says. “You’re welcome to announce it for me though. Unless you think it would be best coming straight from the source?”
“What do the stilts have to do with running for mayor?” I ask.
Wolf shrugs. “Nothing. I was just in the mood.”
“Are you good if the post includes a picture of you in your stilts?” Winnie asks.
