She nods. “Won’t speak to him anymore. He and his wife had a nasty divorce. His daughter is in the city now. I think she’s a lawyer or something and refuses to come back to visit. For the past decade or so, Reed has put all of his energy into this town. If you’re on his good side, you’re rewarded graciously. If you’re not… well, expect to face all sorts of hurdles trying to do a damn thing around here. I’m pretty sure that’s why that road work has been stuck for the better part of a year. Contractor got on Reed’s bad side.”
“So why not call in somebody else?”
“Contracts?” Eve explains with a shrug. “I’m not sure. It doesn’t really affect the sunflower farm except for during road closures. Most people come from the center of town, so the only time the road closure gets in the way is if traffic is diverted for a parade or something, but even then it hasn’t been much of a problem for us.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm?’
“Just digesting the information. Seems like you’re a good friend to have.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Don’t make me your accomplice.”
“You don’t want to do a little Bonnie and Clyde thing with me? I’ll let you drive the beemer.”
She eyes me. “What crime are we committing?”
“So you’re interested?”
“Depends on what role I have to play.”
“Mole, obviously.”
“Are you asking me to forsake my hometown?”
“Just its crotchety mayor.”
She purses her lips. “I’ll think about it.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Eve Harper.”
She raises an eyebrow. “We haven’t even gotten to compensation yet.”
“What do you want?”
She grins. “A navy blue sweater and unlimited chocolates for life.”
“You’re a cheap date.”
She raises her eyebrows. “You said that sweater wasexpensive! And let me tell you, a lifetime supply of those chocolates will not be cheap.”
I throw her a wink because—okay—sometimes I get a little cocky. And I happen to know my audience is not the kind of girl who goes out buying herself cashmere sweaters every other day. “What I said stands.”
She rolls her eyes and then lowers her voice to mock me. “Oh look at me, Mr. Big Shot City Developer out in the suburbs with his big city budget.” She snorts. “You probably think I’m a cheap date because you date gorgeous, leggy Manhattan women who spend the day in the spa and lunching with the girls.”
This… went in a different direction than I was expecting.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a pattern, but I have.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Oh. Well. You know, if that’s what makes you happy then that’s great.”
“Your subtext is screaming.”
“No subtext. I mean, everyone has a type, right? If that’s yours, that’s great you found it.”
I nod, hardly able to suppress my grin. “And what is yours?”
Her eyes go wide as she shrugs. “I don’t have one. I don’t really date.”
