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Jill

It’s complicated, okay?

Hannah

Complicated shomplicated. Explain.

Brooke

Yeah. Explain!

Jill

Fine…let’s just say Max may not know that I don’t want him to run.

Brooke

How could he not know? Haven’t you told him?

Jill

Not exactly. I mean, I’ve definitely inferred it with my actions. Said the actual words to him…not so much.

Brooke

Oh, Jill.

Hannah

Oh my gosh! I figured it out! You’re going to sabotage the election aren’t you?That’swhy you’re managing his campaign!

Hannah’s wholly accurate guess about the motives behind my decision is the final nail in the coffin of my evil plans. I can’t actually sabotage Max’s campaign. It sounds so horribly juvenile and stupid.

Brooke

Don’t be ridiculous. Our mature, lives-by-the-rules older sister would never do something like that…would you?

Jill

Of course not.

Jill

I mean fine, the idea may have crossed my mind, but I’m abandoning the whole line of thought. There will be no sabotaging. Only open lines of communication moving forward.

Brooke

Oh so you’re going to tell Max how you really feel?

One more glance at Max. I try to swallow but there’s no saliva in my suddenly dry mouth. Anxiety churns in my stomach.

Jill

Yup.

I’m lying. I mean, I know I need to tell him. But I have no idea how I’m going to get the words out. I thought we were both looking forward to him stepping back from working in government but obviously he doesn’t want to do so. Why else would he be running for attorney general? And if he still wants to work in politics am I really going to ask him to give that up for me? Isn’t that a bit selfish?

Hannah