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“I thought you said the coet the money to pay the band in advance?”

“We have enough for their advance and the rest we can negotiate” So it was a tiny white lie, but Mi was helping her with the bandwas so brilliant after all “And I’et For one thing, the festival is already well known to everyone in the area, so we’re going to go with using social media and local newsprint And maybe some free radio air time if I can convince the area DJs”

He nodded “That’s smart What can I do to help?”

Mi… “Maybe we can tighten up the security budget? I think this band will draw a big crowd, but we really can’t afford to increase the number of off-duty cops we hire”

Zeke htfully He finished it off and wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin, then laid it on the table “I can’t make any proht this year, I can convince souys to do security for free As a community service”

“Really? For free?” Her head began to spin Normally, the off-duty cops were paid after the festival, so it wasn’t an expense to worry about in advance, but if they could pocket thatway to putting the festival back on top

“Like I said, no pro it”

Whichanything he couldn’t deliver It was one of the zillion things she loved about him

I “I could kiss you right now”

Alimmered in his eyes “I think we have an audience”

Miht A sea of cell phones filled the air as the restaurants’ patrons snapped photos or took video “You’ve got to be kidding,” she muttered

Zeke shrugged like he wasn’t bothered by it She, on the other hand, was tired of this er World, then Mrs Manley, and of course Cindy froet Bettina, or Shelby fro in Mo Bay’s “power couple”, but she and Zeke deserved some privacy

Mihtened in her seat, then stood to address the restaurant “Hi, everyone,” she said, trying to be friendly After all, she was mayor She certainly didn’t want to co “Zeke and I sure do appreciate your interest in us, but despite the fact that we’re both civil servants of this community, we’re also a private couple and—”

“Are the two of you back together or not?” someone yelled

Mientleos whose name she couldn’t remember, waved at her It left her no choice really, except to smile and wave back