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My phone vibrates in my pocket as I ring up a customer. The shop is busy today because I decided last minute to have a week before Christmas sale and it's doing better than I expected.
Which is why I'm also understaffed.
"Thank you." I wave to the customer as she walks out and slump with relief when Harvey walks in. "Thanks for showing up on short notice."
Harvey, in his early twenties and home from college for Christmas break, grins. "I can use all the hours I can get. I'm saving up to buy my girl a ring."
I squint at the kid who's worked for me since before he got his driver's license. "An engagement ring?"
He nods, his face glowing. What the hell is with everyone I know getting married? "I want to propose on New Year's Eve."
"How cliché of you." I regret the words as soon as they're out of my mouth.
"I think it's romantic." Marianne looks over from where she's restocking shelves, her curls as cheery as her demeanor. "Good for you, Harvey."
Harvey's grin widens. He's used to my gruff foot in mouth habits. "Thanks, Marianne. There's a reason clichés exist, boss, it's because they work."
"You're probably right. I'm just an idiot bachelor with no plans to ever get married."
My phone vibrates in my pocket again. "I've got to take this call. You two okay out here?"
"Sure," Harvey says and Marianne agrees.
I head straight to my office, close the door, and put my phone to my ear. "Hey, man," Landon says. "How are you liking the mayoral gig?"
"I hate it. When are you coming back?"
"That's what I'm calling about," he says. "I don't want to come back."
I sink into my desk chair, feeling like the ceiling has just collapsed on me. "What are you talking about? You love this job."
He snorts. "I only took the job because no one else wanted it. Hard to lose an election when you're uncontested."
"But you're a good mayor. You're a hell of a lot better than me."
"Not what I've heard," he says. "You don't have to keep the job forever, just until an emergency election can be held. I'm sure someone else will step up."
"I'm not. What are you going to do? Be a stay-at-home dad?"
"For a while. Lenora's company wants her to take over operations in London. I love being home with Bronson, and I'm looking forward to the move. It's the right choice for all of us."
I swallow down my own selfish desire for him to divorce his wife and give up the kid so he can get back to being mayor, and I muster up some honest goodwill. "I'm happy for you. I always thought you'd be an amazing dad. Especially given the way you bossed all of us around back in the day."
"Thanks, Xavier. I'm going to miss you and the town."
"Fuck off. You won't miss any of it. Enjoy the hell out of your family and your exotic new home. I'd be there if I could figure out how to get there."
"Right." Humor laces his voice. "Minus the wife and kid part."
"Exactly." But I don't feel as certain as I sound. I've always believed I'd have to be single to take my candy store national and international, but it's starting to feel like a lonely future. I don't even want to think about what will happen when Cherry goes home.
"Thanks again, man. I'll do as much as I can to pave the way for the next mayor and help you out until we leave town."
"Don't worry about it," I say automatically. "You've got enough on your plate. I've got this."
"I was hoping you'd say that. If you decide to make the mayor gig permanent, you've got my vote."
"That's never happening."
