Heads turned and chatter erupted. The woman stood perfectly still, completely unfazed under the scrutiny of an entire town.
“I’m gonna go get the kids,” Celine said, standing up.
“I’ll come with you.” I needed a break from the chaos to wrap my mind around the last five minutes.
“No. You should go talk to Gabe.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “He needs you.”
My cousin, the usually unflappable mayor, had never looked so shaken. He loved this town more than anyone I’dever met. More than Bitsy Bramble and her judgmental bullshit. He prided himself on leading us in a way that served us all well.
I nodded. “I’ll meet you guys outside.” With that, I fought the exiting crowd, heading for Gabe.
His tie was crooked and his jaw was clenched tight. Gabe who’d talked us out of speeding tickets as kids, who could calm even the most irate old lady during a debate about parking permits.
“Mr. Mayor.”
Sabrina strode up at the same time I did. That was when her identity hit me. I hadn’t laid eye on her in probably twenty years, but it all came rushing back. Maplewood’s prodigal daughter, the one who bested Gabe on every test. Their debates and science fair showdowns were legendary.
This version of her was all dark lipstick and venom.
She tilted her head, feigning concern. “Looks like you’re having a bad night.”
“Last night was a lot worse,” he said, pinning her with a glare.
The two of them stood there, staring at one another, like bulls about to charge, for an uncomfortably long moment.
What the hell had happened last night?
“This isn’t a game, Monroe,” he said. “This is people’s lives. You don’t give a shit about this town.”
“Of course it’s not a game. This is a small town full of people who deserve better than a man who confuses being liked with being effective.”
She leaned in slightly, her expensive perfume wafting around us. “You’ve always been protected. By the teachers,your parents, the voters. Sweet Gabriel could never do wrong. That was always the narrative.”
She lifted her chin and arched a brow.
“And I’m so good at rewriting narratives.”
Her words land with a thud.
Gabe was nearly vibrating with anger. “You’ll only cause more damage.”
She laughed. “Seems to me like you’ve done enough of that already. I came here for some rest and relaxation, yet now, because of your idiocy, this has become a working vacation. But don’t worry, I’ll save the day. I always do. And if it means getting to watch you suffer? If it means your blinding mediocrity will finally be exposed?” She clapped, her dark red nails gleaming in the fluorescent light. “Even better.”
With ahumph, she turned.
Before she could walk away, Gabe snapped, “Nothing’s changed since high school, Monroe. You’re still a nasty, ruthless opportunist.”
She turned slowly, a smile spreading across her face. “And you still think I give a shit about your opinion.”
With that, she strutted to the door, stopping to hug and greet townspeople as if she wasn’t a viper in a Burberry coat.
“Take a breath,” I said.
Gabe looked like his brain had been deprived of oxygen for several minutes.
“We’ll get through this. The town will be okay.”
He shook his head. “It’s too late. I let everyone down.”
