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“Well, your interview was definitely one I won’t forget soon, but after I read through your proposal—which was surprisingly easy with the large font,” he said, chuckling, “I liked your ideas. Plus, so many people I asked recommended you, I couldn’t say no.”
“That’s great,” she said.
“So, can we meet next week to get things moving?”
“Certainly. I don’t have my calendar in front of me, but if I remember correctly, I have Wednesday morning free. Would that work for you?”
“Ten o’clock sound okay?”
“Yes, and I will text you tomorrow morning to confirm. I look forward to working with you.”
“See you Wednesday,” he said before hanging up.
Even after her crazy interview, he could tell from her spotless office, her typo-free presentation, and her sterling reputation that she was meticulously organized and good at what she did. She wasn’t too hard on the eyes either. Not that that had played a role in his decision—much. She did seem a little uptight. He might have some fun trying to get her to loosen up. They would be spending a lot of time together, and he didn’t need an Anal Annie bossing him around.
He took a deep breath and got ready for his next unofficial interview—his mom’s new boyfriend, Chuck. He wasn’t sure who was interviewing who, but he was having dinner with them that night at Chuck’s place in New Bern.
He loved his mother, but she had horrible judgment when it came to men. It had started with Adam’s father and hadn’t improved. Good ol’ dad left when Adam was only three, so he had no real memories of him. Since then, there’d been a long line of losers and leavers in his mother’s life.
Which meant his life too. She’d been close to marrying a few times, but never quite made it to the altar. Since Adam had no siblings, it had always been him and his mom against the world. He’d been taking care of her for a long time.
Adam knocked on the ornate wooden door and hoped this time would be different. The house was nice, so at least this guy appeared to be financially stable—already a step up from the last loser.
A burly, gray-haired man almost as tall as Adam opened the door and greeted him.
“Hey, Adam. Glad you could make it. Come on in. Your mother’s in the kitchen pulling something delicious smelling out of the oven.” His mother was cooking here already? Well, at least he knew the food would be good.
“Chuck,” Adam said, sticking out a hand. “Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm but not threatening. Looked like he wouldn’t have to engage in a testosterone battle with this one.
He followed Chuck through a wide, short hallway that led to a spacious kitchen. His mother was waving oven mitts over some sort of casserole she’d just pulled from the oven and dropped them on the counter to come over and hug him.
“Honey, I’m so glad you could make it. Thanks for making the drive,” she said. The forty-five-minute commute between Jacksonville and New Bern was one he’d grown accustomed to. But one reason he was moving to New Bern was to avoid it. He’d been spending more and more time here and had finally decided to uproot and make the move.
“Anything for you, Mom,” Adam said and meant it. She was sweet and naïve, and men often took advantage of that.
Over dinner, Chuck asked Adam what he did for a living. “I understand you flip houses. How’s that working out?”
“Great,” Adam said. “I used to buy, fix, and sell again, but for the last several years, I’ve been hanging on to them as rentals. I’m actually about to cash out of all the single-family homes and get one or two multifamily properties in New Bern.”
“You’re moving to New Bern? Fantastic. One more person who can vote for me. Did your mom tell you I’m running for mayor?”
“Wow. No, she didn’t mention that. Hasn’t the current mayor been there for quite some time? Won’t it be hard to unseat an incumbent?”
“Don’t get me started on Edward Parker.” Chuck’s countenance changed instantly, and his face reddened at the mere mention of the man’s name. “That man is as corrupt as they come, and I can’t believe New Bern is still in one piece after his terrible leadership.”
This was the first and only negative information Adam had ever heard about New Bern. In fact, another reason for moving here was the business-friendly policies and low tax rates.
“The mayor’s corrupt? What do you mean?”
“I’ve known Edward Parker for over thirty years. We went to college together. He was a sleazeball then and hasn’t changed. I know he’s dirty. I just haven’t been able to prove it. Yet.”
“Huh. I think I may have just hired his daughter as my real estate agent,” Adam said, remembering that Kate had mumbled something about her dad being mayor during their interview.
“Which daughter? He has like a million. Does the man not know about birth control?” Chuck shook his head and took a big gulp of wine. “I’d stay away from that family if I were you.”
As soon as he said it, his face lit up, and Adam got a bad feeling.
“Actually, I just had an idea. Don’t fire her. Instead, cozy up to the family and see if you can find some evidence of corruption.” Adam could see the wheels turning. “Maybe get an invite to one of their family functions and have a poke around Edward’s office? This is exactly what I need—an inside man.”
