Page 203 of Love Arranged

I’ve always had people pull me aside to ask about small-town issues that relate to them, but now it is happening more than ever before, which is a positive for my campaign but a negative for my social life.

Lily is a good sport about it, and she never gets annoyed, even when I end up spending twenty minutes of our cake-tasting date talking to the couple seated next to us about the impact of Ludlow’s budget cuts on the recreational center. Nor does she seem the least bit bothered when I get pulled aside during Trivia Night at Last Call because a constituent wanted to speak to me about affordable housing for seniors.

Next thing I know, we garner attention from a group of people sitting nearby, turning the double-date night with Julian and Dahlia into a mini town hall. Last Call’s owner eventually brings out a mic for me to use, and I spend the night informally answering questions while Lily, Dahlia, and Julian watch from our booth.

Julian claps me on the shoulder as we’re walking out of the bar a couple hours later. “I do not envy you whatsoever.”

“Likewise.” I give him a once-over.

He ignores the jab. “I don’t know how you do it. If I had to stand up in front of that many people and speak…” A shudder rolls through him.

“I don’t think about it while I’m up there.”

“I’m honestly impressed.”

“Are you…complimenting me?”

He takes a deep breath and holds it.

I grin. “I’m sure it kills you to admit such a thing.”

“I think this whole conversation took five years off my life, yes.”

We both laugh, which makes Dahlia and Lily turn to face us.

“Oh my God,” Dahlia says.

Lily gasps. “Did they become besties?”

“No,” Julian and I reply at the same time.

Dahlia and Lily laugh.

“We’re…” Julian stammers.

“Poking fun at each other.”

Dahlia bats her lashes. “And now they’re finishing each other’s sentences?”

Lily nods with a smug smile. “Definitely besties.”

By the time Saturday comes around, I’m overstimulated and ready to take a break from socializing, but Willow scheduled a huge door-knocking campaign with all the volunteers, so I have to participate regardless of my desire to rot on the couch.

When I arrive at the campaign headquarters with boxes of doughnuts and coffee, I’m surprised to find seven new people waiting beside all the other volunteers. Lily, Dahlia, and Rosa stand next to Josefina, who looks like she dragged Julian here against his will. Ellie, who has always been supportive in my brainstorming meetings with Willow, smiles in my direction while Rafa watches her.

All of them are wearingVote Vittorishirts, and I won’t say it makes me sentimental, but it does mean more to me than they’ll ever know.

I didn’t notice Daisy until Lily walks over to where I am standing, watching everyone with a slack jaw and raised brows.

“Hey.” She kisses me on the cheek.

“How did you get them all to agree to this?”

She shakes her head with a laugh. “It wasn’t me.”

Daisy rises onto her hind legs and places her paws on my stomach, giving me a better view of her bandana with aDaisy for Vice Mayorslogan on it.

“Cute touch.” I rub underneath Daisy’s jaw, which makes her tongue fall out of her mouth.