Jennifer McKenzie - This Just In...

Sabrina inhaled slowly and concentrated on masking the shame with a cheerful smile. As far as she was concerned, no one would ever know. One day soon, she was sure her former boss and editor would greet her regular phone check-in with the news that she’d been forgiven her little gaffe and was needed back at the office immediately.

So far, no one had questioned her story. Not even Trish Mason, the editor of the Wheaton Digest, who’d agreed to hire her on part-time while she was in town. It felt like the first bit of good luck she’d had in ages.

Well, it had felt that way until Trish handed over her first assignment: interview the two candidates running for mayor this November.

The assignment itself wasn’t the problem. Although it was only May and the election wouldn’t take place until the third week in November, the fact that there was an actual race had caused big interest in Wheaton. Sabrina had already scheduled an interview with the challenger, Pete Peters, who’d been only too happy to agree to a sit-down interview, photo session and whatever else would get him into the local paper.

But the incumbent was a slippery sort. She’d tried calling and had even popped into his office last Friday to try to talk to him in person, but so far Noah Barnes had evaded her.

And Sabrina knew why.

Too bad for him, she wasn’t so easily dissuaded. Even though writing articles on a pair of small-town politicians angling for the mayor title was far below her usual celebrity subject matter and though the paper had a circulation in the thousands as opposed to over a million, she’d write to the best of her ability. Not just because the editor of the paper was a close family friend, but to prove to herself that she was still an excellent reporter.

Excellent enough to recognize the mayor when he walked into the coffee shop with the jangle of an overhead bell.

Noah Barnes. This time, she didn’t have to fake her smile.

Sabrina eyed him as he joined the line, noting his broad shoulders and golden hair. She remembered him from when she’d lived here before, but as she was four years younger they hadn’t run in the same circles. He was a good-looking man, as handsome as many of the actors she’d interviewed and taller. In his charcoal pants and green golf shirt, he looked like the kind of guy who spent his downtime rescuing cats from trees and mowing his elderly neighbor’s lawn. From what she’d been able to uncover about him, that guess probably wasn’t too far off.

As well as being the town’s current mayor, Noah owned a successful car dealership, which currently employed twenty residents. He sponsored the local hockey team, chaired the town’s annual festival and could be called upon in any sort of emergency.

He was also the brother of her ex-boyfriend.

“Mr. Mayor,” she said when he finally reached the counter. “Just the man I’ve been looking for.” She felt the curious gazes turn their way, heard the low hum of conversation hush as everyone strained to hear, and she planned to use it to her advantage. The practically perfect mayor wouldn’t turn her down with all his constituents listening, right?

“Good morning.” His tone was friendly as he placed his order. One double shot espresso, a box of coffee to go and an assortment of fresh pastries.

She keyed the items into the register. “Could I have a moment of your time?” She was so sure that he’d nod and smile, she was already planning what she would say to convince him that a little bit of family drama shouldn’t take precedence over his mayoral campaign.

Instead, Noah offered a polite frown. “I’m afraid I’m in a bit of a rush this morning, but call my assistant and she’ll book you in.”

Sabrina blinked at him. She’d called his assistant three times last week and each time she’d been shot down with the excuse that the mayor was away from the office or in a meeting and unable to be disturbed. She’d believed her the first two times, but by the third it was beginning to look more than a little circumspect. Still, it wouldn’t do to accuse him of such behavior in front of everyone. Sabrina might not have been around in a long time, but she remembered small-town loyalties and they would all lie with the mayor. She forced a civil nod. “I’ll do that. But maybe you could give me a moment now? While you wait for your order.”

His smiled tightened, but he seemed to realize there was no gracious way to deny her request. “All right then.”

She launched into her spiel. How the interview would be an opportunity to lay some groundwork for his future campaign. How his opponent had already agreed. How it might look to potential voters if he chose not to participate. She poured a small glass of sparkling water and handed it to him as she finished.

He looked down at water. “What’s this?”

“To cleanse the palate.” Her favorite coffeehouse in Vancouver always served one with the espresso and she thought she’d bring the practice to Wheaton. But it was probably too sophisticated. “You don’t have to drink it.”

His fingers wrapped around the glass. “No, it’s a nice touch.”

A flicker of pleasure tickled the base of her neck. So maybe not everyone in town was a lost cause. “What do you think? Can I schedule your interview for later this week?”

“Call my assistant.” A reiteration that Sabrina understood completely: thanks, but no thanks.

She kept her smile in place. Mr. Mayor might think he’d successfully brushed her off, but then he didn’t know her very well. She finished his order and then pulled off the green apron that doubled as a uniform and asked her coworker to handle the few people remaining in line.

Most customers had left, on their way to work or school, and there wouldn’t be another rush until the teenagers got out of class. No reason she couldn’t take a few minutes to pursue her assignment. She came around the side of the counter to where Noah stood. “I’ll give you a hand out.”

His blue eyes were cool. “I’ve got it.”

“It’s no problem.” She scooped up the box of pastries before he could. “I’m due for a break anyway.”

She waited until he picked up the coffee and then led him to the door.

* * *

NOAH WATCHED AS Sabrina Ryan picked her way through the crowd that still lingered in the coffee shop. He hadn’t seen her in close to fifteen years. Back then he’d been a senior and she a lowly freshman. He had a vague recollection of a pretty but young girl. Far too young for his seventeen-year-old sensibilities with his hockey scholarship to attend university in Michigan already in place.

He sure as hell knew she hadn’t looked like this. All huge green eyes, flowing dark hair and pouty mouth. He tamped down the flash of interest that sparked. She wasn’t to be trusted. Not only had she told his family’s story to the world when it was no one’s business but theirs, she’d also been Kyle’s high school girlfriend. Totally, completely, 100 percent off-limits. No matter how gorgeous she was.

Still, Noah appreciated the changes she’d made to the general uniform at the coffee shop. Most employees wore a plain white golf shirt with black pants and running shoes. But Sabrina’s white button-down shirt was tight and accentuated her curves. Her jeans were even tighter and he eyed them approvingly.

He followed behind her, easily handling the box of coffee and his own espresso. Noah really didn’t need the help out to his car, but forcing her to hand over the box of pastries was likely to cause a scene. Instead, he reached out to push the front door open for her and caught a whiff of her perfume. Something spicy and sweet mixed with the heady aroma of coffee.

The flash tried to sputter to life again. He drowned it with a large inhalation of clear, crisp air, and turned toward the back lot where his car was parked. “So what’s this about?” He kept his voice controlled and polite. Sabrina did not.