“You look great for taking his money, but don’t accept any job offers.” He cleared his throat. “Or any other offers.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. Gotta go. Can you call the party supply place and confirm?”
“Doing it now.” Ted picked up the phone.
Liv headed over to the inn.
When Jon walked her back an hour later, she had a note from Amanda in her messenger bag thanking her and the town. Plus a check for an additional fifty thousand dollars for a down payment on a new location for the community center.
And Jon had hinted that he would give a favorable report to the foundation committee.
They stopped on the sidewalk outside the town hall.
“So I guess this is good-bye for a while,” Jon said.
“I guess so. Since I’m not on the circuit anymore.”
“And don’t intend to get back on.” He smiled. A little wistfully, she thought. “You’ve found a home.”
“Yeah, I guess I have.”
“And you have your peeps.”
He lifted his chin toward Liv’s office window.
She automatically looked up. Chaz, Ted, and Bill stood at the window, looking down.
“They’re obnoxious and annoying and drive me nuts, but they’re definitely my peeps.”
“They’re lucky to have you.”
“Yeah. They are.”
“And they know it.”
“You think?”
“Oh, I can tell. I’m a little jealous.”
Liv laughed. “You?”
“All the best, Liv. Call me next time you’re in the city. Who knows, maybe I’ll be there, too.”
He hugged her and walked back toward the inn.
Liv walked across the street to her office. She opened the door to Bill, Chaz, and Ted all looking guilty—but not repentant.
“Get an eyeful, boys?”
“Hey, we were just hanging out,” Chaz said.
Bill stifled him with a look. “Liv, are you disappointed?
“Not at all. We got a big check from Amanda and a good word from Jon.”
“What about your dapper boyfriend?” Ted said.
“He’s an associate.”
Chaz slapped him on the back. “Yeah, Ted, what would she want with some rich, educated, well-dressed New Yorker when she could have some homegrown boys like us?”
“How true,” Liv said. “But you didn’t have to be so infantile. At least I’m glad to see A.K. isn’t here.”
The outer door opened, and A.K. rushed in. “Is he gone? I got here as soon as I could.”
“What’s that you were saying about maturity?” Ted asked and burst out laughing.
“What?” A.K. asked.
Bill and Chaz joined in the laughter.
“Yep. Definitely my peeps,” Liv said and she laughed, too.
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Trick or Deceit Page 28