Dinner went well, and it’s only fueled my desire to really make a success during my time as mayor. Although, I have my work cut out for me. Especially when the previous mayor let the city down so much. People are cautious to trust. But this is a challenge I’ve spent years preparing for.
I wanted it and I fought until I had it. I fought for an entire city. I’m thankful that it wasn’t an easy fight. It taught me how to stay focused. How to strategize. How to gather facts, improve my knowledge. Make myself the best person for the role I can possibly be. And my own past taught me to recognize despair in someone else’s eyes when I see it. To see that hopelessness that I once felt. To understand that desperation you feel as you struggle to grasp what’s going on. As you fight to see a way through the darkness.
The same emotions I saw in Harley’s eyes yesterday.
She doesn’t want to be apart any more than I do. I would bet my life on it.
My past taught me to recognize when there’s something to fight for. And running for mayor taught me how to build stamina and use all my resources to get what I want.
And I wanther.
Fighting for the entire city was my warmup.
Now I have the biggest fight of my life.
To get my Mrs. Walker back.
Chapter twenty-eight
Harley
“Wedon’tneedthat.Give it to me.”
Suze’s frantic voice calls after six-year-old Emmerson as she runs into the kitchen, brandishing the newspaper like a trophy before holding it out to me with a gap-toothed grin.
“Mommy wanted me to give it to her. But you’re our guest, Auntie Lee-lee. You should read it first.”
My heart squeezes at Emmerson’s sweet little face. “That’s very thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
Suze appears in the kitchen doorway, flustered, and her eyes pinch at the corners as she looks at me with sympathy. “I’m sorry. She grabbed it before I could check it.”
“It’s fine, honestly.”
I sound more certain than I feel as I unfold the paper and hold my breath as the front page comes into view. Yesterday’s front page was a shock. I had no idea anyone from the press had seen me leave with my suitcases. But in a way, I’m grateful it made the front page. At least the blackmailers will have seen it. Although, having my heartbreak splashed across every newsstand in the city is not my ideal day, either.
Probably one of my worst days ever.
And today is also going to be added to that list.
“He looks good. Maybe a little stressed. But… Damn, Harley. I’m sorry, but that man is fine. I’m always on your side, no matter what, okay? Even though you won’t tell me what the hell you two fought about. But I can’t deny it. He must have done something bad for you to choose to move in with me and this…” She peels something that resembles a gummy bear but is now furry off the coffee machine.
Suze opens the trash can and flicks the furry goo inside. Suze has my back. She always has. And I know that ultimately, if I’d told her anything negative that Reed had said or done, then she would defend me with all the savageness of a lioness for one of her cubs. I’ve seen her in action and there is no way would I wish to be on the receiving end.
But I haven’t been able to give her any reason to change her opinion of Reed because he hasn’t said or done anything wrong. In fact, I’ve done nothing but sing his praises since Suze let me stay on her sofa two nights ago. I know I could have asked Maria. But her and Griffin’s place is too close to Reed. I’d risk seeing him in the elevator or even when he goes to visit Griffin. Suze’s place was the safer bet until I get my apartment back. The girl I’ve sub-let mine to asked if she could stay longer a couple of weeks ago. And at the time, things were perfect, so I said yes. I can’t let her down. I can stay with Suze while I figure something out.
“Right. School breakfast club time. I love you.” Suze hugs me from behind.
“Love you, too. Have a great day. I’ll probably work late tonight. Get caught up on some things for Griffin that I had to delay when I took election day off.”
Suze heads toward the front door, and I call goodbye and blow kisses to Emmerson and Mason as they grab their school rucksacks and bustle out of the door.
I bring my attention back to the paper and the dazzling man on the front page. Reed is going into a restaurant with a group of people. He’s wearing his gray suit with a crisp white shirt and red tie. The same one I watched him take off and coil around his hand the evening I wore my caticorn pajamas to wind him up.
The memory makes my stomach sink. That’s all it will be now. A memory that fades.
Looking at Reed’s smile as he talks to the attractive young woman next to him, I suspect the memories of us will fade for him long before they do for me. He’s going to be busy running the city. Another few weeks and he won’t even have time to think about me. That’s if he isn’t too busy already.
Suze is right. He does look stressed. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes.