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Jason ground his teeth. “Two points is a blip, Griffen. Fourteen is campaign ending. When we announced the factory, my rating went up three points.Three. And the only reason I partnered with you on this project was because you had the cash and a drama-free reputation. I can certainly spend my dollars to help me win the campaign instead of building this plant.”

Times like this I wished Mr. Price could sit beside me and see how right I was to hesitate on deals like this. Jason wasn’t in this to help those people in his hometown. He was out for number one, and those people would be left in the lurch the second things didn’t go his way.

“Look, Jason, Farrah and I have a press conference later today, and I guarantee this will all sort itself. If you don’t see a rebound in your numbers in the next month, we can talk again about other solutions that don’t include fleecing a hundred people out of a job.”

He studied me for a moment. “You really care about those people, don’t you?”

I nodded sharply. “And if you’re to become governor, I’d hope you care too.”

Mia knocked again, holding a clear mug with tea inside.

I waved her into the office, and Jason stood. “One month.”

I stood too, and Mia and I watched as he left the office.

Passing me the mug, she muttered, “Ain’t he a ray of sunshine.”

I shook my head. “Can you get Tallie to come in here? We might need to help his team do some damage control.” I couldn’t let that community be hurt because Romero cared more about his campaign than his hometown.

46

Farrah

Gage and I sat at a table in front of a small crowd of reporters. At least a dozen microphones were propped up in front of us, and the flash of cameras was dizzying. But I still knew this was likely to be one of my easier conversations today.

I’d spent the better part of an hour on the phone with my kids this morning, letting them know that I was seeing Gage more seriously and that they would get to know him when I felt like it was time.

I wished I could have had that conversation face to face, but I was starting to realize that dating Gage meant the whole world was in on our relationship. Or at least parts of it.

They all seemed to take it okay. Cora asked if he had any kids she could play with. Andrew wanted more art stuff. But the conversation I had with Levi earlier was the hardest. When the kids got back to Dallas, I wanted to make sure to take him out, just the two of us. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like for both of my parents to split up and then start dating again, all in my freshman year of high school.

Tallie gave Gage the signal to start from where she sat up front, sandwiched between reporters. Nerves swirled in my stomach, thinking about how many people would be watching this on TV. I wished Gage could hold my hand, but here in front of a crowd, he was the intense, intimidating man I’d met on the first day of my job. As soon as he began speaking, the room quieted.

“With the word spreading about mine and Farrah’s relationship, we wanted to clear the air and set the record straight.” I kept my gaze on him because if I stared at the audience too long, I’d puke. “Before the questions begin, I’ll share the major details. Farrah began working for me five months ago. A few months in, it became clear to me that this woman was one I couldn’t ignore.”

A slight smile touched my lips to match the audience’s chuckle.

“We began seeing each other privately, and when we decided it was something to pursue, I introduced her to my family. We plan to continue our relationship, publicly, while working together, being sure to follow the professional guidance laid out by Griffen Industries’ Chief of Staff, Shantel Williams.” He turned to me. “Anything else?”

I shook my head slightly. “I think that covers it.” Nervously, I tucked my curls behind my ear and faced the reporters, trying to remember to breathe.

A reporter with long hair pulled in a ponytail raised his hand, and Gage nodded at him.

“How long have you been divorced, Ms. Elkins?”

“That’s public record, and you know it, Liam,” Gage said. “Maybe do a little better research next time, or ask the question you actually want to know.”

Liam’s cheeks went pink. “Did the relationship begin before or after the divorce?” he asked.

“After,” we said at the same time.

An older woman raised her hand next. “What are you doing to protect your assets in case Ms. Elkins has ulterior motives for your relationship?”

“First of all, we’re not married, only dating,” Gage said. Then he sent me a smile that turned my insides all warm and gooey like a brownie fresh from the oven. “And Ms. Elkins is the most unassuming woman I’ve ever kept company with. She prefers dandelions to roses. Chooses quality time over gifts. And after she accidently door-dinged my car, she even offered to pay to fix it.” He chuckled, and so did the reporters, eating out of the palm of his hand, just like me. “I trust her implicitly.”

Under the table, he reached for my hand. Relieved, I squeezed back.

Another man stood up, looking at us through thick glasses. “What do you say to constituents who are concerned Jason Romero’s judgement in partnering with you?”