“That’s great, but what are you doing here?” I couldn’t help blurt in frustration. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like her answer.

“Well, I know this town inside and out from all the years of my traditional party-planning business. I know what they want and need better than anyone. So, Mayor Edwards was all too happy to accept my help.”

“Help for what exactly?” Bitsy loved to drag things out for a big reveal. It drove me crazy, not to mention, I had no patience these days.

“Why, help with all the committees, of course.” She looked at me as if I were a child who needed things broken down fully to understand them. “Who better than me to know how to put all these charitable contributions to use?”

“I see.” I saw what she was doing, all right.

Bitsy had to be at the heart of everything that was happening in Mayflower. She needed to feel important. To be involved. To be doing something. She had always been that way, even back in high school.

Well, not this time.

Just because she had said yes to Brimstone’s proposal, she’d become the most respectable one of us to the town. That didn’t mean she was the better person to represent my grandmother. I would be the one deciding exactly what to do with her contributions.

No one else.

“Wonderful.” She smiled slowly, almost catlike. “Then you know we’ll be working closely together on how best to spend your grandmother’s money.”

I ground my teeth and bit back what I really wanted to say. She had some nerve. “Thank you for the offer of help, but I’ve got it from here.”

“Oh, it wasn’t an offer, darling. It’s happening.” She looked down her long, narrow nose at me. “I know the things that were important to your grandmother, probably better than even you do.” She thrust her chin in the air and folded her hands in her lap. “It’s simple. The mayor wants me on this, so I’m on it.”

I set my jaw and raised my own chin even higher than hers. “Well, I don’t care what Mayor⁠—”

“Tiffany, you’re here!” Mayor Edwards opened the door to his office, his face beaming with delight. “Come on in. Both of you.” He nodded at Bitsy and motioned to us both. “We have lots to discuss.”

Bitsy smiled pleasantly at him and gave me a smirk as she sashayed on by me like she owned the place. I followed her and bit my tongue every step of the way.

“Have a seat, ladies, have a seat.” The mayor gestured towards the overstuffed white leather chairs as he closed the door behind him.

His suit was white. His desk was white. The walls, floor, and furniture…all white. He said he liked a clean slate, both personally and at work, because his wife, Eleanor, shined with enough color for the both of them.

“So, I was—” I started.

“We should do something for the school system,” Bitsy cut in. “Now that I’m having a child, I understand how the parents in our community feel.”

“Ah, yes, the state never provides enough funds to serve all of our children’s needs.” The mayor nodded.

She hadn’t even given birth yet. How could she understand anything? Bitsy just had to win at all costs. Everything was and had always been a competition with Bitsy. Two could play this game.

“Grammy was big on the arts and bringing more culture to Mayflower. I know she wanted to help the local theater with renovations for a bigger stage, among other things, to help advance the program. Bring in more shows.” I straightened my spine.

“That’s true. Eugenia and my Eleanor loved to see those plays together.” The mayor smiled fondly. “I do love the opera. Can you imagine having one right in town? Now, that’s something I would take my Eleanor to.”

“Our veterans could also use help with jobs and improvements to the VFW.” Bitsy sat up straighter. “It’s only right we provide them with what they need, after everything they’ve done for all of us.”

“A worthy cause for sure.” The mayor nodded at her.

“Grammy loved animals. She had several throughout her life. I know she would love to help with a bigger shelter and rescue resources. All those animals deserve a chance at a good life and finding their forever homes. Grammy would have wanted that.” I stared right at Bitsy, daring her to tell me I was wrong.

She remained silent.

“Well, we have other contributors that can help fund some of these needs.” He looked at me. “Ultimately, Tiffany, you have the final say in how you wish for your grandmother’s funds to be used.”

“Imagine that?” I didn’t even try to hide the smugness from my tone.

The mayor looked at his watch, oblivious to the game Bitsy and I had been playing. “I’d say you have lots to think about, then. I’ll have my assistant draw up proposals for all of these, and you can choose which ones you want to contribute to. If that works for you, we’ll go from there.”

“That sounds wonderful.” I stood, feeling victorious.

Until he dropped another bomb.

“And once you’ve made your decision, Bitsy will aid in overseeing the execution. Does that work?”

“Like a charm, Mayor. Like a charm.” Bitsy looked at me. “I’ll be in touch.” And then she walked out the door, taking some of the thunder out of my internal victory march.

This day just kept getting better and better.

Chapter Fifteen

“Giving a sensual massage involves creating a relaxing atmosphere like the one you see here. Dim lighting, mood music, heavenly scents. Know your partner and don’t use any music or scent they may not enjoy. You want to please them, not irritate them.” I winked.

Jacey and Lance Winthrop were the cutest couple ever and newlyweds. They had been coming to Tiffany’s Titillating Touch for regular massages separately for years. In fact, they met in the waiting room, with me playing matchmaker. Now that they were married, they wanted to learn how to give a sensual massage to each other for their honeymoon. I’d had to reschedule a couple times and so had they, but we’d finally connected.

“Are you listening, Lance?” Jacey teased.

“Oh, don’t you worry. I know exactly what you like, sweetheart.” Lance grinned.

“Be sure to use gentle, slow movements, focusing on each other’s pleasure like I showed you both. Okay?”

They nodded.

“Always start with soft touches to warm up the body, then gradually increase pressure as desired. Pay attention to your partner’s response and adjust your movements accordingly. Sound good?”

They nodded again.

“Good, because communication and consent, whether you’re married or not, are key throughout the process.”

“Thank you so much, Tiffany,” Jacey said, her round cheeks rosy. She looked happy. “You’ve been amazing. This is exactly what we wanted for our honeymoon.”

“It was my pleasure.”

“Thank you for the recommendation of what oil to get from Peace, Love, and Harmony. It smells amazing and is so silky.” Lance put his arm around Jacey, standing the same height as her five-foot-four frame. “I want nothing but the best for my girl.”

“He’s a smart man.” Jacey laughed.

“You’re very welcome. Harmony will see that you’re taken care of. You two have a great time on your honeymoon. Be careful and take care of each other.”