Curvaceous & Captivating

Chapter 1 I was rushing. I hated rushing. It was like fingers creeping up my spine and yanking my hair, reminding me I didn’t have my world as carefully balanced as I let most people believe it was. I felt like The Cat In The Hat most days. All those things precariously perched on top of one another. One little bump and it would all go flying. I couldn’t afford a bump. The best part of the day was that it was nice out. Of course, if I’d realized that earlier, it would have stopped the argument I had with my kids about wearing boots, hats, gloves, and scarves to school. I might have been on time if I’d known how gorgeous it was. But nope, I had no idea. Because I didn’t watch the news. I didn’t check my phone when I got up. I didn’t even look outside before walking out the door most days. And in Winterville, New York, there was no way to trust that it was nice just because the sun was shining, no matter how many times my six year old, Becca, told me it was. Which I heard about on the drive to school. Because, of course, we missed the bus. Again. I ran across the parking lot and yanked the door open, praying I’d make it to my desk before I got into trouble. Thankfully, my boss, Mayor Wyatt Ramsey, was pretty awesome, but even he had his limits. I fell into my chair and breathed a sigh of relief. My heart raced, reminding me that I was far too curvy to be running. “Good morning, Olivia,” a male voice said from behind me. I swallowed the deep breath my lungs were burning for and grinned at my boss as he walked around to the front of my desk. Wyatt was definitely an attractive man. Tall and lean with a fit body. His short dark hair and matching brown eyes made him look young, although I honestly didn’t know how old my boss was. I knew he was older than me, but I was almost thirty, so it wasn’t hard for the Mayor of Winterville to pass that. “Hey, Wyatt.” “Everything okay?” he asked with a lifted pair of eyebrows and a hip against the edge of my desk. I knew he was getting sick of my news about the kids, mostly because it was never exciting, but he always asked if things were okay. “I’m sorry. We missed the bus again this morning.” His lips tilted up at the corners. “Becca arguing?” I sighed, feeling like I was talking to a friend instead of my boss. “Always. I’m sorry I’m late though.” He shook his head. “Olivia, this is why I made you a salaried employee. You don’t need to watch the clock anymore. Yes, if there’s something I need you to do, I’ll expect you to be here, but on a day-to-day basis, I’m not overly concerned. You always get everything done.” “Thank you, Wyatt. I still feel bad when I’m running late.” “I know. Try not to stress. I’m going to grab a cup of coffee. Do you want one?” I nodded. “If you don’t mind.” He shook his head and grinned. “I wouldn’t have asked. Two creams, six sugars, right?” I rolled my eyes. “I’m your assistant. I’m supposed to be the one who knows how you take your coffee.” He chuckled. “Lucky for you I need to stretch my legs around the same time you get in most days. It works out well for both of us.” I smiled as Wyatt turned and went to retrieve our coffees. Damn, he had a cute butt. I just wish I felt an ounce of attraction to him. Sure, he was cute, and I could accept that, but it was sort of like accepting your brother was cute. You could be objective long enough to agree that he’s good looking, but not long enough to be attracted to him. With a sigh, I turned on my computer. Six weeks until the Winterville Easter Egg Hunt. Ever since Wyatt became the mayor, he’s worked to bring the community together. First, it was the Memorial Day picnic. This year he added the Easter Egg Hunt and wants to do a Christmas Event. I warned him if he added too many more festivals, I would need an assistant. He just smiled. I clicked through to my email and waited as the new messages loaded. There was one marked Easter Egg Hunt sponsor, which I clicked on first. Before I even finished the first paragraph, Wyatt set coffee on my desk. I looked up at him and asked, “Did you see this sponsorship email?” “What sponsorship email?” He leaned over my shoulder and read along with me. When he finished he stood and whistled. “Damn. Really? Timeless Timber Toys. I’ve never heard of them.” “They have a facility near Winter Ridge. My kids love their stuff. It’s expensive but really well made. I don’t know much about them.” Wyatt scrubbed his jaw and studied a spot on the wall. “I’ve got a meeting shortly. Look into the company and this…” He looked at my screen again. “Ethan Norwood guy. If it sounds legit, I’ll set up a meeting with him.” I nodded, turning back to my computer as Wyatt went back to his office. He left again a minute later, but I was already looking into the toys and wishing I could afford some for my kids.