Cyrus’s secretary perked up. “Edison, what brings you to this side of town?”
“Errands.”
“Did you get anything for me?” She flipped her box braids with a smile.
Hmm? Presley and I went on a handful of dates, never making it out of the talking stage. “No, but next time. Is Cy here?”
“Yeah he is. I’ll buzz him.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can literally see him in his office from here. Cyrus!” I shouted because I loved embarrassing him.
The phone on Presley’s desk rang and she answered. “Hello? Yes, I understand.”
When she hung up the phone and addressed me, her tone was professional. I was no longer the guy who felt her up in the backseat of my car our junior year. “Mayor Birch will be with you shortly. Please feel free to sit. Do you want a coffee or water?”
I looked toward Cy’s office. “Nah, I’m good.” Advancing forward, I passed Presley’s desk and several others and opened Cyrus’ door. “You were going to have me wait in the lobby?”
“Excuse you. This is a government building.” Cyrus’ words forced me to suppress my laughter. “I could have you trespassed.”
“And I could go outside and key your car, but we both know neither of those things are about to happen. What are you doing?” I closed his office door.
“I’m working.”
“No, you’re not.” Taking a seat, I picked through his candy bowl.
“I’m literally working right now.” Cy grabbed a stack of papers which were probably all blank.
“Well that can’t be true because you’re talking to me.”
“What the hell are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at the store?”
“I needed to pick up some stuff for the shop. Snacks for the break-room, coffee pods, markers.”
“Mom and Dad hand you the keys to the kingdom and you become a glorified errand boy?”
“No, I needed to put some space between me and Dial.”
“What did Dial do?”
“You know our sister. She always finds ways to insert herself.”
“Did she mention I saw your girl at the Dairy Queen talking close with a fella that was not you?”
If he was talking about Fancy I was going to crash out. “Who’s my girl?”
“Don’t act like you haven’t been spending time with Willa. Worst kept secret in Hume.”
“Well if everyone knows I guess it’s a good thing we called it quits.”
Cyrus’s face became twisted. “Damn, she dumped you?”
“No, we mutually agreed to move on.”
“Sure you did.” He winked at me.
“We wanted different things.”
“Are you dumb?”
