Page 2 of Smoke Show

Once upon a time, I'd been more like Sophie, upbeat and innocent, verging on naive. But no more. I’d risen from the ashes of my old life with a totally different look. Dark. Earthy. Dangerous. Nothing that indicated I could be fooled. No hint that I might choose to believe only the good in someone, innocent to their darker motivations. Projecting toughness had become ingrained.

Seeing Brady live the image I'd given up annoyed me more than I could say. Because I knew it had to be a lie, and I'd come to hate the deception.

The doorbell rang, and I sprang into action, grabbing my candy bowl once again. I took an involuntary step back when I opened the door, the looming figure on my front step catching me by surprise.

"Rar."

The throaty growl sounded suspiciously mature, but it was hard to assess my trick-or-treater's identity in the giant blow-up costume. The inflatable T-Rex was easily seven feet tall, the wearer disguised by the bulky body and camouflage face screen. But something seemed familiar. Rex didn't seem inclined to make small talk, making me reconsider the hint of recognition. I tossed a handful of candy in the dino's bag, wishing it a Happy Halloween and closing the door when nothing more than an appreciative growl seemed forthcoming.

I shivered. Something about the T-Rex's stance, the earthy rumble struck me, leaving me with the sense that I should have recognized the person behind the inflatable.

Gwen shook her head, snagging a Snickers from my bowl. "They seemed too old for trick or treating."

I shrugged, hiding my smile when she pulled a second candy bar into her lap. "I don't really care so long as teenagers make an effort to dress up, and those costumes crack me up." I grinned. "What if I showed up to play practice in a getup like that tomorrow? I can just imagine Brady's response:'Ms. Pendleton, kindly join us in this century and leave the costumes to the cast.'"

Sophie tossed a Twix my way. "He's notthatbad, Eve, and your British butler routine needs work."

I reached for my remote, unpausing our movie, hoping to lose myself in the on-screen witchy shenanigans, instead of contemplating the task ahead of me: keep on the right side of Brady Gleason long enough to get through the school play and the Winter Warmth Auction.

The newly elected Campfire Council had created four major events to bring more tourism to our small town. As our mayor, Gwen had led the name change and rebranding efforts. Our friends Izzy and Jo had been pressed into running for town council seats. They'd run on a platform of change, which had ruffled more than a few feathers. But our first event, the Fall Festival, had brought record crowds into town for the off-season, and the doubters quieted. For the most part. At least we had brought tourist dollars in, which had been the goal. There'd been more than a few mishaps in the process, which Sophie was eager to chalk up to bad luck and sour grapes, but I had a feeling that it was more than that. Differences in opinion about the city’s future aside, who would want to sabotage our town?

"Can you pass me another peanut butter cup?" Gwen asked, jarring me out of my reverie.

I handed her another candy, digging for a Twix and coming up with a Milky Way instead. Brady's favorite, if the candy dish on his desk at school was any indication.

Hypocrite. He'd probably bought a whole bag of Milky Ways just for himself, but only gave out floss to his trick or treaters.

As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone buzzed.

Brady: Don't forget, first play rehearsal is tomorrow, 5pm sharp.

I couldn't resist firing back.

Eve: Yes, Principal Gleason.

Brady: Good.

I shivered, not liking the way those words, even in text, evoked the fantasy of him calling me hisgood girl. Something about his deep voice, even when it was dripping with disdain, nipped at me. His reminder should have been annoying, the implication that I wasn’t an adult or his equal. He’d probably sent it with that intent. He didn’t seem to think much of me.

Telling myself I was irritated almost worked.Almost. Naming my real feelings would lead to complications I couldn't afford. My mission was simple: help as art director for the play, gain Brady's cooperation and support for holding the Winter Warmth Auction at McDonald High, and throw the best bachelor auction Campfire had ever seen. I had no business thinking of Brady Gleason beyond what was necessary to meet my goals. I’d left the woman who would have hung on his every word, bewitched by his maturity and style, behind.

New Eve didn’t put up with pompous men who thought they could tell me what to do.

Chapter 2

Brady

Afteranearlymorningcleaning up toilet paper in my yard and a full day at school, I was bone-tired by the time our first play rehearsal started. It didn't help that Eve Pendleton was my partner in hell. I scrubbed a hand through my short dark hair, wishing for the umpteenth time that Gwen had an artistic lick in her body. We'd been friends since kindergarten and hanging out with her as I attempted to wrangle twenty horny high schoolers through play rehearsals would have been no big deal. Eve was another matter.

Something about her got under my skin. She moved like a tiny thundercloud, dark and dangerous, pestering me for gym space. As if I wanted her auction at my school. Especially abachelorauction. Only the realization that I could use it as leverage to get some help with producing theSnow Queenmade me relent.

A lean figure slipped in the back door to the auditorium, distracting me from my script. Eve strode confidently up the aisle, nodding briefly to acknowledge me. She wore jeans and a t-shirt, all black, with her dark hair caught up in a low bun. The short sleeves of her shirt showcased the ink along her forearms, inviting a closer look.

I glanced at my watch with exaggerated disapproval, secretly enjoying when she smirked. Five-oh-two. Not exactly late, but not on time, either.

"Attention, students. Places, please."

My voice boomed in our small auditorium, silencing side conversations. Slowly, the cast and crew turned their focus to me.

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