11. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Sam

I 've been walking on clouds since last Saturday when Ben claimed me in the best way possible. It's Wednesday now, and he's done all the repairs and improvements I've asked of him. Right now we're putting together the last decorations for the Mixer, which is on Saturday night. We see the Mayor approach and come into the shop.

Ben immediately frowns at the mere sight of him. I signal him that I've got things covered, so he keeps nailing a garland to the ceiling. But he seems to be hammering extra hard.

"Samantha! Aren't you looking lovely today?"

"Hi, Mayor. We're almost ready for the event on Saturday."

"That's good. That's good. There's been a change of plans, though."

"What do you mean, change of plans?"

"Flora's come down with a cold and can't bake the treats we were going to have served. You’ll need to make them here in your shop."

"But…But… I already paid a deposit."

"Not to worry, I told her to donate that to the city."

"I'm going to have to buy a ton of ingredients, and I won't be able to be open for the next two days if I have to do all that baking." My face is burning up.

He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I want to push it off, but Ben is watching our interaction, and I don't want him to find out what Mayor Douchebag is dropping on my plate at this late date. I take a deep breath and try to control myself. I can't believe I used to have a crush on this guy. The problem is, I want the Mixer to succeed. So I'm out of options.

"I'm sure you can handle it, Samantha."

"I really wish you'd stop calling me that," I mumble.

"Say, what now?"

"Can't you find someone else to help with this? My kitchen isn't big enough to do all of that baking."

"I believe in you, little lady. You can do anything you put your mind to. It'll be fine."

He reaches out to place his hand on my other shoulder, but I step back. That's when Ben steps in.

"Is there a problem here?"

The Mayor seems surprised by Ben's hostility, but it doesn't faze him one bit. “Nope. No problem at all.” He nods goodbye and leaves my shop.

"What was that all about?" Ben asks, still watching the Mayor outside the window.

"I'm going to have to do a lot of baking for the next two days. I'll have to close the shop."

"What? Why?"

"Flora is sick. She can't do it."

"Seems to me like you've already done a lot for that guy. Want me to go and tell him you won't do it?"

"No. I'm going to do it."

"Why? Because he asked you?"

I do not like Ben’s tone right now, and all I want to do is just scream at the unfairness of it all. Plus, I'm really pissed with myself for letting the Mayor trample all over me. Again.

"I don't like confrontations, okay? Besides, I want the Mixer to go on. It'll be good for the town."

"Are you still interested in him?"

"What? I…"

"You know what? Don't answer that. I don't want to hear it."

I'm surprised at the venom in his voice and don't do anything to stop him when he turns to leave the shop. I guess I'm on my own, after all.

Ben

I am completely enraged about what that man has done to Sam—again. I had to leave so that I could catch up with him, but I can't stop thinking that the reason Sam didn't say no to his request – if you could call it that – was that she still has feelings for him. That is killing me a little bit inside. It is true; I haven't officially asked her to be my girlfriend, but we've been intimate for the past several days, and she admitted that she belonged to me.

Seeing that guy put his hand on her shoulder got a rise out of me real quick. I tried my best to let Sam take care of things, but it all unraveled really fast.

I pick up my pace when I see him enter Lilah's Flower Shop and follow him in. He's leaning on the counter, flirting with Lilah. She looks flustered like most women do when he starts laying it on thick.

"Mayor, I'd like a word," I say.

The Mayor turns around, surprised.

"Hoffer, is it? What do you want?"

"I want you to stop manipulating Sam to do your bidding. She's a good citizen and an amazing business owner and doesn't deserve your treatment of her."

"What's Samantha been telling you?"

"She prefers 'Sam'."

"Are you enamored of her? Is that what this is about?"

"I was there both times you've roped her into doing things for you, without payment, I may add. You're abusing your power."

"Samantha won't fail me, I'm sure of it. I might even ask her to be my date for the Mixer." He raises his eyebrows insinuatingly.

I don't know what comes over me, but I curl my right hand into a fist and punch him right in the nose. He, of course, starts screaming like a little girl. Blood spurts out of his nose, and a feeling of contentment goes through me. He deserves a broken nose. I see Lilah duck into the back of the store, and I guess she's calling the police.

Oh, hell. I'm going to be arrested, that's for sure. Lilah hands the Mayor a small towel, and he presses it on his face. He's moaning and groaning, and every now and then, a curse word comes out of his mouth. He's worse than a sailor, but it doesn't take long for him to threaten me and say that he will press charges.

Five minutes pass, and the sheriff and deputy walk into Lilah's store.

"Arrest him." Mayor Douchebag says while pointing a finger at me.

I show my hands to the sheriff, and he cuffs me and takes me into custody. My free call is to one of my brothers so that they can come bail me out. The mayor and the sheriff have a loud shouting match, and I'm told I need to cool down in jail until morning and that the judge needs to see my case. I'm wondering if the judge is a friend of the mayor and what this will cost me in the end.

I still don't regret it. The next morning, I have a crick in my neck, and my lower back hurts like a bitch. Turns out I have a visitor, one I can't say no to. They let Sam in and she leans against the bars of my cell.

"What did you get yourself into, Ben Hoffer?"

I don't say anything because I know she won't like the words that come out of my mouth.

"You're just not going to talk to me?"

"He's taking advantage of you,” I mutter. “I couldn't let him get away with it."

"So make him pay for things with his own money. Don't use him as a punching bag."

I get up and approach where she's standing, her face in between two bars. I place a kiss on her forehead and stay with my forehead resting against the bars.

"Ben…"

"Please don't defend him. I don't think I could stand it."

"I wasn't going to do that. I was going to say it's my fault. I should have stood up to him, but you know that's difficult for me."

"You did nothing wrong, Sam. He's a jerk, and someone has to put him in his place once and for all."

"They say you're going in front of Judge Carrington later today."

"I don't know how that is going to go. What if the judge is friendly with the douchebag?"

"I'm on it."

She puckers her mouth, and I give her a big, sloppy kiss on the lips. An hour later, the judge dismisses the case as he swipes coffee cake crumbs off his robe. The mayor starts insulting the judge, and the judge asks him to do some cooling down of his own.

All I want to do right now is take Sam into my arms and ask her to be mine.