Someone Like You by Susan Mallery Page A

deal with. Ah, to be home with a good DVD and a bowl of Ben & Jerry’s.
    Knowing that her aunt would give her “the look” if she returned early, she stepped into the building andfollowed the sound of voices to the second meeting doorway on the right. As she walked into the large room and glanced around at too many familiar faces, she felt a slight tickling on the back of her neck. She turned. Mac stood by the coffee urn. His dark gaze settled on her face and he gave her a slow, sexy smile that reminded her that just about twenty-two hours ago, they’d been kissing and she’d been thinking about giving in to a whole lot more.
    In the sensible light of almost-twilight, she didn’t know if she should go for a sophisticated I-do-this-sort-of-thing-all-the-time or if running for cover was the better option. Figuring there wasn’t anywhere to go, she walked toward him and accepted the cup of coffee he held out.
    â€œHow did you get roped into this?” he asked.
    â€œThe mayor’s office called and when I tried to whine my way out of it, Aunt Bev looked stern. I’m easily guilted.”
    â€œApparently.”
    â€œWhat’s your excuse?”
    â€œI’m the sheriff. I have to be here.”
    â€œThe joys of small-town life.” She glanced around the room. “Quite a turnout. All the small-business owners, the city council and many concerned citizens. With luck there will be more hands than work.”
    Mac grinned. “Wishful thinking.”
    â€œI know, but a girl has to have dreams. Is our esteemed mayor here yet?”
    Mac put his free hand on her shoulder and pointedwith the one holding his coffee cup. She liked how they were sticking together and how he touched her. She liked a lot of things. If Mac was the door prize for at tending the meeting, she would consider this an evening well spent.
    She looked where he pointed and saw Los Lobos mayor Franklin Yardley speaking with a young woman she didn’t recognize.
    Yardley had been mayor for as long as Jill could remember. Probably fifteen years. He was handsome, as tanned as George Hamilton and too well dressed for a town this small. He wore his gray hair short, in a modified military buzz. His eyes crinkled when he talked, giving the impression of good humor and affability. He had the practiced smile and easy manner of a successful used-car salesman. He’d always made Jill uncomfortable, especially at honors events during high school. Becoming a National Merit Scholar or winning a prize meant getting your picture taken with the mayor. In her opinion, he’d always held the girls a little too tight and she distinctly remembered him patting her butt after she received a scholarship to Stanford.
    â€œDisgusting old man,” she muttered under her breath.
    â€œHe’s not that old,” Mac said. “Fifty-two, fifty-three.”
    â€œWhatever his age, he gives me the creeps. Can we sit in the back?”
    Mac chuckled. “Sure thing. Are we going to pass notes, too?”
    â€œI’m ignoring the implication I’m acting as if I’m in high school. Sitting up front is the same as volunteering and my goal for tonight is to slip out unnoticed.”
    â€œJill, honey, is that you?” a loud, female voice called from the doorway.
    Jill winced as she turned and saw Pam striding to ward her. “Oh, great. Here’s another opportunity for her to insult me.”
    Mac leaned close. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œShe came by to see me about a legal thing today and nailed me good.” She plastered a smile on her face and tried to act pleased. “Pam. Hi. So you’re here, too.”
    â€œOf course. The centennial celebration of our be loved pier is going to be an event to remember. The Fourth of July is just a warm-up. We’ve already started a national advertising campaign. We only have six weeks to get things finalized.” Her smile widened.