She offers a polite smile to all of us as behind her a…
Wait.
What is he doing here? The jack wagon?
No.
Absolutely not.
It all clicks into place.
He’s friends with Benedict.
Janie told me—after she heard I snapped and called him names at the shop months ago—that he’s a Vanderwell. Real estate is what they do. Well, that and yell at poor, anxious teenagers working for less than minimum wage and call them names, demanding black coffee.
I exhale through my nostrils and clench my fist.
This is not my white knight.
The little old lady does, in fact, work with the devil.
And I bet he’s even wearing Prada.
“Oh boy, tell us what you really think,” Tyrone chuckles softly next to me. I turn and look at him. “You never could hide your feelings from that pretty face. Who needs words with an expression like that? What’d he do?”
I am not about to answer, but I’m saved by Gary anyway.
“Mr. Vanderwell! We’re so happy to have you, I hope Juniper Falls has given you a warm welcome.”
“It’s Aiden, please,” he says in his rich, deep voice. Grumpy. Grumpy voice.
“I’ll give him awarm welcome,” Shelly whispers.
“Shelly! He’s half your age!” Betty, her sister, who looks almost like a twin except her hair is a graying shade of brunette, whispers back.
Shelly smirks, “And?”
“Hi Aiden!” Steven practically swoons up at the front of the table. “We’re so glad to hear your presentation today!”
“Right, let’s get to it then,” Aiden replies, quickly scanning the room. His eyes snag on mine and his scowl deepens. I quickly look away and feel my cheeks burn. He deserved it, but I still can’t believe I snapped at a customer. Thank goodness he didn’t leave a review.
Tyrone lets out a low whistle and says, “Looks like the feeling is mutual.”
I don’t look up. I just sip my wine and will the man to look away. It feels like it takes him an eternity to do so. His attention moves to the blank wall where his assistants have created a projection? I guess using their phones or something? I know Ron doesn’t have a projector in here. The wall is a huge screen nowand the image quality is so amazing I can’t even see the dingy stucco behind it.
My insides coil. I can feel everyone around me tensing too, equal parts impressed, intimidated, hopeful and nervous. Maybe I should have some more wine.
The Vanderwell…logo? Family crest? Appears on the screen. The same name that is on hospitals and skyscrapers across the United States. Probably inked on documents in museums about the founding of this country.
And I yelled at him!
I move my hand and the Evil Lord’s eyes immediately track the motion.
Ok! Nope! No more wine for me. I’m not moving again. I’m frozen. I’ll die in this chair, hands in my lap. This is my life now.
“Right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, everyone.” He stands at the end of the table by the wall as if this is his restaurant. Already his town. Total ease, confidence. Perfect suit, power stance, one hand tapping on his phone. Like he does this all day every day. I suppose he does. “I’ll get right to it. You all know I’ve a generous offer for your land, for much of the town. Let me show you what I plan to do with it.”
“Yeah, yeah, just jump ahead to the damn ski resort,” Carl grouses, pointing his big, grease stained finger at the wall.Go Carl! Tell Him!Carl is a big, gruff guy, exactly what you’d expect of the town’s lone mechanic, painter and go-to handyman. He takes no shit and right now, I love him.
