An excuse to stay here longer.To save this land where so many species called home.
To stay with Remi.
To have more time to figure out exactly what was going on between us, because it wasn’t just sex.But could we really be more?He’d said for the right person, he’d move.Did he actually mean that?Could I be the right personagain?
Then there was the strange settling in feeling, like I could stay here.My job was on location a couple weeks out of the year, and everything else I could do remotely.
Ifthere was a way to a future with Remi, it’d probably be less of a disruption for me to stay.
Was I absolutely unhinged for even wondering any of this?
Was there anything more unhinged than love?
“How’s progress going on your end?”Jamison asked.
I groaned.“Slower this week.”
“We need public outcry.We need those signatures, and the emergency vote—”
“Are you just giving up at the capitol?”I demanded.
“No.”His deep breath carried through the speaker.“I just want to prepare you.I was appealing to these politicians as individuals, so if they’ve been swayed.I’ve got very little else.”
“I’ll get the signatures,” I promised.“I’ve got a social event tonight that could make a difference.”
“Good.”
“Is there anything else?”Finding Furgie curled into the corner of the sofa, I scratched the top of her head goodbye.
“Uh ...”It was uncharacteristic for Jamison to sound unsure, and I waited for whatever he was going to say next.“Have you talked to Sadie?”
I rolled my eyes.“Yeah, why?”
“I’m having a hard time getting a hold of her.”
“No, everything I’ve sent her has gotten a timely response.”
“Gotcha.I’ll check again.”
We hung up, and I felt a combination of protectiveness and guilt.Because I really wanted to tell him to leave Sadie alone.But also, I hadn’t told her yet about things between me and Remi.And it’d been a week.She and I had talked.
She was going to be so pissed at me.
The music went silent on the other side of the wall.I considered for a moment if I had enough time to knock on his door and maybe make out for a bit.Which was alarming, because I had just given myself a pep talk about getting my head into my work.
Instead, I grabbed a couple of snacks from my kitchen and let Furgie out to go to the bathroom.It felt a little weird not to text Remi that I was leaving, but we didn’t live together and we weren’t dating, right?
Ignoring that last thought, I jogged out to my car.
It wasn’t a far drive.The sun was setting, but it was dark enough that the streetlights were lit.Euchre club was being held at a woman named Ginny’s house.I parked in the elementary school’s parking lot across the street and grabbed the tray of cookies I’d ordered from the local bakery, Bake This Way.
Through the door, I could hear women talking and laughing.I raised my hand to knock, then let it fall.My energy was all off.I needed this night to be a huge success.
Hyping myself up, I plastered a smile on my face and knocked.
A woman with short white hair answered the door.With a wide welcoming smile, she said, “You must be Alicia.I was wondering who’d be knocking on the door, most everyone just walks on in like they were all raised by wolves.”
My smile felt more genuine.“I am Alicia.Are you Ginny?”I asked.
