As Bad As Can Be by Kristin Hardy

exclaimed, her voice ripe with false pleasure. “What a coincidence you should call. I was just thinking about you.”
    â€œIt’s too early in the day for voodoo, Mallory.”
    â€œNow that’s an idea with potential,” she said consideringly. “Just think, if you find your physical urges overcoming your principles, you’ll never know if it’s your own hormones or if it’s black magic.”
    â€œGreat. Something to look forward to.”
    â€œYou play hard to get, Shay, but I know better,” she said teasingly.
    â€œWell, here’s something else you should know. I just got back from the Chamber of Commerce meeting.”
    â€œIf I’d known you were that hard up for something to do, I’d have come over right away to distract you. You should have called me.” She took a swig of Pepsi.
    â€œYou’re a regular laugh riot.”
    Mallory laughed. “So how was the meeting? I suppose if I were smart, I’d join,” she added reflectively.
    â€œUnder normal circumstances, I’d agree. In this case…well, will it surprise you at all to know that Bad Reputation came up in conversation before the meeting?”
    It figured, she thought. “I’m pleased to hear we’re making a name for ourselves.”
    â€œIt was in the context of parking issues, making Newport look bad, bringing in undesirables, etc. There was a movement in some quarters to have the city check into whether bartenders dancing on the bar is legal.”
    Mallory’s voice was smug. “I’m way ahead of them. Do you really think I’d have something going on in my bar that was against code?”
    â€œGood to know you’ve done your homework.”
    â€œGod lies in the details, Shay, and I look after mine.” Though she tried to keep her voice light, a bit of annoyance slipped it. “So basically what you’re telling me is that the local business mafia met and had nothing more productive to do than sit around andtrash nontraditional businesses. And did you join them?”
    â€œOf course not,” he said impatiently. “They were crying wolf about it and I told them so.”
    It surprised her. “You came down on my side against the forces of purity?”
    â€œMallory, this isn’t a joke. You need to pay attention to this.” His voice was serious. “You can’t ignore these folks. When people like Julius Sweeney and Mary McGuffin talk, the mayor listens. So do the police and the Department of Health. You have to understand how things work.”
    â€œI do,” she said coolly. “Business rackets are nothing new. It means that when word gets out we’re starting to have live music, I can expect to have my permits questioned.”
    â€œYou already have a live music permit?”
    â€œI applied for everything at the beginning. I figured it was a good way to avoid hassles.”
    â€œSmart.”
    â€œI have my moments.”
    â€œSo I’m seeing. Is there any point in suggesting that you don’t want to book some death metal band that’s going to get everyone all riled up?”
    She nibbled on her lower lip. “Well, you do know the price of weighing in with your opinion, Shay.”
    â€œI’m willing to chance it.” Humor ghosted his voice.
    â€œWell, if you’re dead set on testing yourself, I’m auditioning a band next Monday night.”
    â€œThey don’t do daytime auditions?”
    She grinned at the question. So he’d been hoping for something nice and safe, had he? “They’ve got day jobs. Besides, I want to see them in action. BadReputation needs a band that’s going to drag people onto the dance floor.”
    â€œHave you got someone you can trust to run the place?”
    She leaned back in her desk chair and scowled at his question. “It’s a Monday night, for crying out loud. It’s not like we’re a sports bar.