Page 33 of Call it Reckless

“Not on my watch,” I answered for Reid.

Reid looked at me, and for the first time, I thought I saw his stern expression soften. I had a sudden curiosity about what he’d look like if he ever offered a full smile. I had a feeling it would be even more hypnotic than his scent.

“Yeah, good thing.” Reid scooped up his grocery bags in one hand and took Lexi’s hand in the other. “Take care now, Bristol. Maybe next time we see each other, it won’t be with any trouble attached.”

I didn’t count on it. I had a feeling when it came to Reid, at least as far as I was concerned, he was the definition of trouble.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Bristol

“Good morning. What can I help you with?”

I looked at the nametag of the woman standing behind the counter and smiled politely. “Hi, Darcy. I think there’s been some kind of mistake.” I placed the paper I’d found taped to Head to Tow’s door this morning on the counter between us, managing not to slap it down. It wasn’t her fault; this had Mayor Richard Bowen all over it.

“Let me see what you have.” She scanned the paper and frowned. “This says you don’t have the proper permit to have a social gathering on city property. I can help you secure one, but it will take at least a week.”

“And that’s where the problem is. We’re having a grand opening party in a few days onprivateproperty, and therefore, we don’t need a permit.”

“I see.” She glanced at the paper again and looked back at me. “Are you Miss Allen?”

“I am.”

Her face lit up. “Oh, I am so excited for you to open.” She glanced around, then leaned in closer. “I hate taking my car to Tanner Automotive. I feel like Buck is always leering at me, and it’s just so creepy.” She straightened as she patted her hair. “Plus, I want to try a new stylist. I’d love to have something more current and maybe try some highlights, something like yours. But Mona doesn’t keep up with the latest styles. She tries if I show her a picture, but it never comes out quite the same. Is it true your partner worked on celebrities’ hair?”

I smiled. “It’s true. Paige is amazing, and I’m sure she, or one of her girls, can do anything you’d like.” I subconsciously ran my fingers through my dark tresses, glad that I’d taken Paige’s advice and left it out of a ponytail.

Paige was right. We were walking advertisements, especially for her work. I didn’t usually bother with much in the way of a hairstyle because I usually clipped my long hair back and out of the way unless I was going somewhere more formal, and even then, I didn’t do anything very fancy. But Paige had cut it in long layers that looked good but was low-maintenance, perfect for me.

“I don’t see where there should be any problems if you’re holding your grand opening on your property. It only becomes an issue if it spills over onto the streets. I have no idea why you were issued this. It didn’t come past my desk, which is odd.”

Not if you knew the mayor’s obvious bias against me.

“I think you should talk to Mayor Bowen about it. He should have some time to help clear it up.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Just have a seat right over there. He’s in another meeting right now, but he should be available soon.”

“Thank you. And I look forward to seeing you at Head to Tow.” I pulled a card from the small backpack I used as a purse. “In fact, here’s a coupon. It’s not too soon to set up an appointment if you want.”

She grinned as she accepted the card, and I had a feeling we would be seeing her soon.

I sat in one of the indicated chairs outside of an office with an engraved nameplate on the door that declared it the mayor’s office. I’d only waited about five minutes when the door opened. To my surprise, a grim-faced Reid Braxton came out.

“I’m sorry, Reid. I hope you understand,” Mayor Bowen was saying.

“Sure.”

From his tone, I suspected Reid didn’t agree with whatever the mayor had told him.

Both men looked surprised when they saw me sitting there. Reid’s expression lightened when he saw me, but Mayor Bowen frowned.

“Bristol,” they both said at the same time.

“Gentlemen. Nice to see you again, Reid.”

He grinned. “Here to pay your speeding ticket?”

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