Page 45 of Stay for Forever

Chapter 16

If it sounds like a duck, has a bill like a duck, webbed feet like a duck, and swims like a duck, you should still make sure it’s not a platypus.

Maverick

“Welcome!” Ashlyn greets me as I enter the town hall.

I stare at her in confusion. “What are you doing here? I’m supposed to be meeting the mayor.”

She beams at me. “I am the mayor.”

“You’re the mayor?” I glance around the empty town hall. “Am I being punked?”

“Why? Because you can’t believe I could be the mayor?” She crosses her arms over her chest and huffs. “I’ll have you know I’m a legitimate business owner. You may have heard of my place – Bertie’s Recording Studio. I can fulfill all of your recording wishes and dreams.”

Is she serious? Bertie’s Recording Studio is gaining quite the reputation amongst indie recording artists, but the location is a closely guarded industry secret. I had no idea the studio is in Winter Falls.

“You own Bertie’s Recording Studio?”

She bows. “I do.”

“And you’re the mayor?”

Now, she curtseys. “At your service.”

“I guess you’re the person I need to speak to about donating to the community center project.”

She bounces on her toes. “Yeah! I knew you were a good guy. I can’t wait to tell Juniper.”

“You can’t tell Juniper.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Why not?”

“I want my donation to be confidential.”

Her lips purse. “I didn’t sign up for confidential when I volunteered as tribute. Which reminds me, I need to buy a Hunger Games costume.”

I scratch my beard. What in the world is she talking about? And here I thought Juniper was exaggerating when she told me her baby sister is crazy. “Tribute?”

The doors open behind me and a man wheels in several crates of beer.

“No time to explain. The Winter Fall’s monthly business meeting is about to begin.”

“I’ll leave you to it.”

She grabs my sleeve before I can escape. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re a business owner in town. You should attend.”

“She’s right, Rickie,” Sage agrees as she enters. “Business owners should attend the monthly meetings when they’re in town.”

“Plus, Juniper will be here. Showing her you’re interested in the town is a good way to win her back.” Feather winks.

“Speaking of which, how long do you think it will be before you win her back?” Petal asks.

Cayenne slaps her. “You can’t ask him how much time he needs. It’s cheating.”

I’m nearly afraid to ask. “Cheating? What would she be cheating at?”

The gossip gals giggle before sitting in the back of the room. What they don’t do is answer my question.

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