Page 71 of November

“Hi,” India said.

“Oh, hi,” Maisie replied. “No one is reporting in yet.”

“Because it’s still too early, babe,” India replied and set the coffee carrier on the table before she sat down next to her. “I brought you coffee.” She leaned over and kissed Maisie onthe cheek. “How’s she doing?” she asked Paige.

“She hasn’t stopped staring at the computer for the past hour,” Paige replied. “When I tried to take it away from her, she growled at me.”

India laughed silently and placed her hand on the back of Maisie’s neck, massaging the tight muscles there. Maisie closed her eyes and leaned into the touch.

“I promise, I’m not usually like this. You just met me at a really weird time,” Maisie said.

“That’s okay. I’m here to help. What can I do?”

“I need to run out and vote,” Maisie said. “And Lainey and Paige need to run to the school.”

“I thought I was going to watch the shop with Lainey.”

“I’ll just close it for thirty minutes. Not a big deal.”

“We have a faculty meeting about some prank the seniors pulled last night, but we should be back in an hour or so,” Lainey explained.

“I can watch the place by myself if you need me to,” India offered, wondering where that was coming from.

“You know how to use the register?” Lainey asked.

“No, but it’s pretty easy, right? Just scan the book, the screen tells you how much, and they pay.”

“But do you know how to check if a book is in stock?” Lainey asked.

“Come on, Laine. As if someone would come in asking about that during the one time I’m not here,” Maisie replied. “Actually, thatdoessound like something someone would do. I’ll just stay here and wait until you come back,” she added to Lainey. “Then, I’ll go vote.”

“Are you sure?” Lainey asked.

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m just anxious to be done with all of this, but I can wait another hour.”

“You can train me for the next ten minutes and go. I’m sure I can handle it for twenty minutes on my own,” India offered.

Maisie smiled at her and then rested her head on India’s shoulder, which reminded India of the previous night whenMaisie had done the same. That night, India had wrapped her arm around Maisie’s shoulders in response, and they had sat there on Maisie’s sofa, holding on to one another while they talked. India hadn’t wanted to leave, but she’d known Maisie needed a good night’s sleep before election day, so they had shared a hug and a cheek kiss, and she’d gone home.

“We’ll be right back, okay?” Lainey said, taking Paige’s hand.

“Yeah. Thanks,” Maisie replied.

“Take care of her while we’re gone?” Lainey said toher.

India nodded, and Lainey and Paige exited through the back.

“You doing okay?” she asked before she kissed the top of Maisie’s head.

“My stomach is not. I haven’t eaten today, but I don’t know that I can keep anything down. I’m so worried that if I lose this, that asshole is going to come for my shop just because he can; because I didn’t take his little deal.”

India placed her hand on Maisie’s thigh, gave it a small squeeze, and said, “It’s going to be okay, no matter what happens with the election. If he comes after this place, we’ll fight him.”

“How?” Maisie asked. “He has all the money.”

“Notall. I have some, too.”

“I can’t ask you to fight this with me,” Maisie said, lifting her head. “You already donated to my campaign, which was more than you needed to do.”