by Pamela Yaye
“You might say that. Monique, this is my brother Ike Jr. Ike, this is Monique—excuse me, Mo Slater. She too is running for mayor of Paradise Cove.”
Ike Jr. held out his hand. “Running against my brother in his hometown stomping grounds?” Monique stepped away from Niko and shook Ike’s hand. “You’ve got cojones, woman. I’m impressed.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ike. I don’t normally scare easily but...”
Niko walked over to where his brother was standing so he could face her. “But what?”
Looking at the two of them next to each other, she was even more embarrassed. Not twins exactly, but they definitely shared the same bloodline. She decided that being honest beat any lie she could tell as she answered his question. “Would you believe...scary movies?”
Niko and Ike looked at each other. “Our mother,” they said at once.
“Excuse me?”
Ike responded, “Our mother won’t watch anything remotely frightening, and that includes knife-wielding characters in a Saturday-morning cartoon. I once saw her turn away from the Lifetime channel, and this was a movie that was on during daylight!”
“I don’t usually watch them, either. But I was visiting someone who loves the ID channel.” Ike’s stare was blank. Niko shrugged. “Investigation Discovery. It’s a channel with shows dedicated to real-life whodunits, murder mysteries and such, with most of the victims I watched today being female and one meeting her demise in surroundings similar to where we now stand. Not exactly the show to watch before deciding on a walk in the woods.”
“At the salon, you said you lived in a condo.”
“I do.”
“The Seventh Heaven complex.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then how did you get in here?” At Monique’s cocked brow, Niko held up a hand in defense. “Wait, that may not have come out as I intended. It’s just that after an incident here several years ago, the guards really cracked down on who they let beyond the gates, and there is also a patrol that walks the perimeters periodically.”
“My godmother lives in Golden Gates.”
“Who’s your godmother?” Niko asked. Monique told him. “Really? Good old Mrs. Gentry. It’s a small world.”
Monique chose not to satisfy his obvious curiosity by offering more information. Now that she was calm again, being near him was starting to affect her, and not in a way she liked.
“Listen, guys, I—”
“Nice to meet you, Monique—”
Both she and Ike talked at once. He motioned for her to continue.
“I’ll leave you two to your jog and be on my way.”
“Oh, no,” Ike said. “I was just getting ready to head back to the house. Figured you and Niko could finish the walk together.”
“No, really, I—”
“Great idea.” Niko reached for her hand. Electricity shot up through it. Monique swore it was a charge with enough voltage to light up Atlantis. The insane way she reacted to him simply had to stop.
She tried to pull away, but he resisted. “See you later, bro. And don’t eat all of the strawberry shortcake!”
“No promises!” Ike threw over his shoulder as he began a soft jog away from them.
Both Niko and Monique watched until he rounded a curve. And then it was just the two of them. Alone. In the near darkness. Monique began to shiver and, though there was a slight chill in the air, the weather had nothing to do with it. This time when she pulled her hand away Niko let it go.
“It’s late,” Monique said, looking at the face of a watch that she couldn’t even see. “I really should be going.” She took two steps away from him.
“Not like you to run away from a challenge.”
She whirled around and took two steps back. “I’m not running away from anything.”
“Oh, yeah?” He paused. “You think I don’t feel the same thing that you’re feeling, the undeniable attraction that’s happening between us? Perhaps it’s purely physical. Perhaps it’s because we’re adversaries. Perhaps it’s just because we’re in close proximity. I don’t know. But I felt it last night, when we hugged goodbye. And I felt it just now, when I took your hand.” She remained silent. “Are you saying I’m crazy, that you don’t feel the energy between us?” He reached for her hand. She jerked it back. “Yes,” he said, with a knowing, self-assured grin. “You feel it.”
“We’re two young, healthy, robust adults,” Monique answered, still reeling that Niko had addressed so directly a truth that she’d tried to hide from herself. “It makes sense that we’d be attracted to each other. It happens all the time.”
It had never happened before. Not to Monique. Not like this. But she was sure it had happened to other people. That she spoke generally and not specifically was a point she felt didn’t need to be shared.
“So you are attracted to me.” Monique gave him a look. “Ha! I’m just messing with you, Mo. Are you always so serious?” She didn’t answer. “We’re not in the courtroom, Counselor. You should lighten up a bit.” A deep breath but otherwise...nothing. “Shall we walk while talking? I’m headed back to the house, as well.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
They began walking. “You’re a beautiful woman who I’m sure has her share of suitors. Heck, after the way you just reacted upon hearing my brother, maybe stalkers, too. On top of that, you’re smart, confident and at the top of your game. I’m sure I’m not the first man who’s reacted to what you’re working with—a total package.”
Actually, he wasn’t the first who’d offered her a similar compliment. Rob had said pretty much the same before they’d begun dating. Funny, though, how much sexier it sounded coming from a man like Niko. She found herself wanting to giggle and twirl her hair again.
“I’m sure it’s the same for you,” she said instead. “In fact, I know it is.”
“Oh, really? And how’s that?”
“Joy DeWitt. She was more than willing to tell me all about you.”
“I’m sure she was.”
“I’ve heard her side. What’s your story?”
“I dated her daughter, Ashley. It didn’t work out. Then Joy had the nerve to hit on me. I had a few choice words for her about that move.”
“Wow. No wonder she detests you.”
“I’ve lost no love for her, either. But Ashley and I are cool. It’s a small town. We’ve got to get along.”
“The debate at the salon was rather fun. Unlike the last result, this time you almost won.”
“Are you going to keep bringing that up? You know it took me weeks to get over it.”
“I understand. It was for the national championship.”
“And lifetime bragging rights.”
“That, too.” They laughed. “I could tell you were upset.”
“I’m not used to losing.” He looked at her in a way that suggested he was no longer talking about a past meeting.
“Neither am I.” The tone in her voice made it clear what she was talking about: the mayoral race.
They continued the short distance to the opening in the community that led to the path, mostly enjoying a companionable silence. Niko was dealing with the surprise of how intriguing he found the woman walking beside him and how attracted he was to her.
Monique was naughtily wondering about Niko’s nether anatomy and realizing that never in life had she enjoyed the sexual escapades that others bragged about. Her love life had been fairly constant but average, no bells and whistles or chandelier swinging of which to speak. She felt that given a chance with Niko, the experience would be quite different.
They said their goodbyes.
Monique reached her car and left the confines of the Golden Gates community. She also made up her mind to leave thoughts of anything romantic happen
ing with Niko behind that gilded fence.
Niko walked to his parents’ home determined to stay focused, to keep his eyes on the mayoral prize. There was no time to dally with an opponent, no matter how sexy.
Both would learn that what one thought would happen and what sometimes actually occurred were two different things.
Chapter 9
The following Monday, Monique walked into a campaign office already bustling with activity. There were people manning the phone bank, volunteers sitting at a small conference table folding flyers to be mailed, some putting together placards for placement around town and others sifting through clothing for an upcoming career day for homeless and unemployed women. Her campaign manager was in the midst of it all.
“Good morning, Lance.”
“Morning, Mo.”
“Come into the office.”
“Sure.”
“Close the door.”
He did.
“We’ve got a busy week ahead.” She bypassed her desk and continued on to the large whiteboard positioned against the office’s back wall. It was outlined in an at-a-glance format covering the next three months. “Has this been updated?”
“Yes, with several appearances and Memorial Day weekend’s Silver Serenade in San Francisco.”
“Perfect.” Monique’s private line on the office phone rang. She looked at the caller ID.
Lance stood. “Do I need to get that?”
“It’s Devante. I’ll call him back.”
“Is he attending the serenade?” Humor laced the question.
“Unless they can play a hip-hop beat with violin and harp, I don’t think he’d be interested.”
“Sounds like it’s going to be a grand affair. My husband and I would love to go.” With no response, he added, “Uh, that’s a hint, Mo.”
“I’d love to take the both of you, but Rob is escorting me.”
“Your ex?”
“That’s correct.”
“You two are still friends? That doesn’t happen often.”
“You’re right. But Rob isn’t your average guy.”
“He’s an above-average type.”
“That’s right.”
“Then why’d you break up with him?”
“Because while we work well as friends, we didn’t as romantic partners. Now, enough Q & A on that subject. Let’s get back to work.
“We’ve got dinner with the chamber tonight. I’ll be in San Francisco tomorrow and possibly Wednesday if I can’t get all of the business handled in one meeting. It looks like Thursday’s open?”
“Thought you might need a day in the office.”
“Half a day should be enough. Let’s see if we can squeeze in the hospital visit that we discussed. See if the administrator is available. I’d like to pick her brain for what we need to consider when planning to build an urgent-care medical facility.”
Lance nodded while taking notes on his iPad. “What about the weekend? I can scour the paper for events going on.”
“Sure, do that. But keep Friday night open. It’s Rob’s birthday.”
“Just friends, huh?” Lance mumbled under his breath.
“I heard that, and yes...we’re just friends. Hold my calls for the next hour. I’m going to work on the speech for tonight.”
Monique sat at her desk, and while she’d swear that mere moments had gone by, she looked up and it was four o’clock. Was it really three hours ago that Lance had stuck his head in the door and offered lunch? Her growling stomach was the answer. But it had been like this since her college days. When she got her head involved in something, it was like the rest of the world and everything connected to it faded to the background. Even eating. But not wanting to devour the meal at the chamber meeting like a woman starved, Monique stood, reached for her purse and decided to call it a day.
Two and a half hours later Monique felt revived. She’d stopped by the deli near where her campaign office was housed and, after discovering that it was the owner making her spinach salad, made a pitch for her company’s vote, as well. Finding out that the woman would also be at the chamber meeting had been an added plus. Then she’d gone home, squeezed in thirty minutes of yoga, took a hot shower and dressed in her favorite black power suit. Given the admiring looks from the two gentlemen standing just outside of the city auditorium where the dinner was being held, she’d succeeded in appearing professional and a tad bit alluring at the same time.
Squaring her shoulders and placing a pleasant smile on her face, Monique entered the building. She immediately began shaking hands, introducing herself and, thanks to a Dale Carnegie course on memory, addressed those she’d previously met by name. A quick scan around the room told her there were around eighty people in attendance, including the woman who owned the deli. She made her way over to that side of the room.
“Monique!” The cheery, slightly chubby woman with a cute face, gorgeous, naturally auburn hair and sparkly green eyes turned to greet her. “I see you made it.”
“And in a much more agreeable mood than I would have been in had I not eaten that salad. It was delicious, by the way. I loved the addition of green apples. Completely unexpected.”
“We try,” Kari replied with a satisfied shrug. “I’m glad you liked it. The apples were actually my daughter’s idea.”
“Does she work with you?”
“When she’s not away at school. She’s a freshman at San Francisco State.”
“Excellent. What is her major?”
“She tells me early childhood development, but I say it’s parties and boys.”
Monique chuckled. “While pursuing a degree, I took that course a time or two. Is she your only child?”
“No. I have three more, a daughter who’s sixteen and two boys, twelve and ten.”
“You know, Kari, women like you and families like yours are exactly who I had in mind while creating my business-development platform. Particularly businesses ran by women. I want you to have the money you need to improve and expand, to reward good ideas and hard work. And to be able to take care of your family.”
“That’s all most of us around here want. My husband does well as an over-the-road truck driver, but more attention paid to this level of the working class is always appreciated. I checked out your website after you left. A background as a defense attorney? I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Yes, well, I’ve taken a break from defending accused criminals to defend the future of Paradise Cove for residents like you.”
“Oh, she’s good,” one of the women with whom Kari had been talking said, turning to join the conversation.
“Hello. I’m Mo Slater and I’d like to be your mayor.”
“Hi, I...think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
Monique followed the woman’s gaze to see what had so thoroughly gotten her attention. She looked just in time to see four distinguished gentlemen entering the room. Her eyes were immediately drawn to one in particular. Niko nodded, then turned to greet the chamber members who gathered around the foursome as if they were stars.
Of course he’d be here. Why would you think otherwise? The truth was that she’d been so focused throughout the course of her day that she hadn’t given it any thought at all. She tried to continue working the room: shaking hands and smiling, networking and hobnobbing, as if Niko’s mere presence in the same room didn’t sorely affect her. It did.
She meant to ignore him, but occasionally, when in her direct line of sight, she observed his easy camaraderie with everyone present, how he seemed to listen intently and how his smile seemed sincere. It was during one of these moments, while surreptitiously peeking, that Niko turned, smiled at her, and then after whispering something to the gentlemen around him, they all began heading her way.
“Mo?”
“Yes, Kari,” she said, turning to face the deli owner.
“This is my daughter’s childhood friend who helps me run the shop.”
Grateful for the temporary diversion, Monique turned fully away from the oncoming tsunami of testosterone walking toward her and greeted the young woman. The whole time, it was as if she could feel Niko staring at her, could imagine him walking over to lay a firm hand on her shoulder, maybe even a tender kiss on her cheek. For someone not known to be fanciful, she was more than chagrined that being around this man made her think of fairy dust, sugarplums and happily-ever-afters. But it did.
“It was nice to meet you.”
Monique smiled and nodded, hoping that the woman hadn’t asked a question or made a comment needing a response. Because for her, the past several seconds had been like a black hole filled with one face—his—and one word: Niko.
“Ms. Slater.”
She slowly turned around. “Mr. Drake,” she pleasantly replied. “We meet again.”
“I have a feeling we’ll be meeting quite often between now and November.”
Was it her imagination or did the gleam in his eye signify that he was talking about more than the election? And was it just a notion or did she sorely wish that this was true? She turned to the men standing beside him, immediately recognizing Ike Jr., the brother she’d met on the neighborhood trail. The familial connection of the others was apparent at once, as was the fact that they were all as commanding as they were good-looking and used to being the center of attention in any crowd.
Deciding to draw first blood, she said, “Good evening, gentlemen. My name is Mo Slater, and I’d like to be your mayor.”
Their reaction was priceless. The older man chuckled. One of the younger ones, a brother, Monique assumed, jabbed Niko in the ribs. The other man smiled at Monique before saying, “As sharp and feisty as she is fine. Niko, looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”