“I donot.” Zoey was buzzing, which I worried for a second was a side effect of the drink that I’d catch next. But when she dropped the blanket and scooted closer to me, I realized it was simply excitement. “I see a very clear and obvious choice.”
“Say no?”
“Sayyes! Good lord, you’re lit up like a Christmas tree just talking about it. Your aura’s gone haywire. And it’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Romantic?”
“Um, this guy steps in to help get rid of some creeper at the bar—”
“Out of self-interest, he said.”
“Then spends all night listening to your life story—”
“Completely made up.”
“Then kisses you within an inch of your life and puts down big money for a suite—”
Okay, that part was technically true.
“Has to run offtragicallywhen he sees photographers, practically Cinderella fleeing the ball—”
I snorted. “Hardly.”
“And now he wants to date you—”
“Fakedate. He made it clear he has zero real feelings for me.”
Zoey rolled her eyes. “That’s what I’d say if I was trying to convince a woman to fake date me without coming across as a creep or scaring her away with the intensity of my emotions.” Suddenly her face scrunched up. “Wait a second. I got so wrapped up in the romance I didn’t ask if you liked his politics. Lee would kill me.”
Right now, Lee could suck it. Nevertheless, I groaned, because of course she’d trained me well. That had been the first thing I’d googled, and the answer was annoying. “His platform is great. Really thoughtful, super progressive, just like Lee’s. In all honesty, I don’t know if the state is ready for him. Lee’s environmental bill gave me hope, but...”
“It’s still Texas outside this Austin bubble,” Zoey finished. “Or so they claim. I refuse to explore outside of Marfa.”
“Right. The Texas of it all. So I admire Logan. He’s really economics-focused, has all these proposals to strengthen the security net for middle-and working-class people. Which, as an elementary school librarian, obviously I’m for.”
Zoey sighed. “Tell me about it. A career as a painter sadly doesn’t come with things like health insurance.”
“Logan was born in Odejo, this rural farming town down south,” I said, warming to my subject. “He went to Harvard for undergrad and grad school—got a master’s in public policy from Kennedy. Then he came back to Texas and became one of the youngest Harris County commissioners in history. Those are the people in charge of Houston, by the way. He did that for four years, built a solid reputation, then announced his run for governor. He’s young and hungry, that’s for sure.”
Zoey whistled, which I assumed was in appreciation of Logan’s résumé until she said, “What’d you do, memorize his Wiki page?”
My cheeks heated. “I can’t help if I’m good at retaining information.”
“Why don’t you ask your sister for advice?”
I shook my head. I’d relied on Lee too many times. Besides, this one was embarrassing. When I’d decided to go to the bar alone so I didn’t fall flat on my ass in front of her and her friends, I hadn’t even imagined this level of blunder was possible. I loved Lee, but I didn’t want her to have to rescue me yet again.
“Well, then,” Zoey said. “What I’m hearing is, the decision’s up to me. So that settles it.” She ticked off her fingers. “A, you like Logan’s politics, which means you’re actually pulling for him to be the next governor. B, he needsyouin order to stand a chance. C, it’s terribly romantic. And D, best of all, it’s the adventure you’ve been waiting for.”
“It is?”
“You just told me you went marching into the Fleur de Lis determined to shake up your life. And look what the universe dropped in your lap. You must have some very good karma, Alexis Stone.”
Well—I hadn’t thought of it like that. Saying yes and stepping into the spotlight, shedding my inner mouse. It would mean embracing a wild adventure. A Lee-style shenanigan. Something old Alexis wouldn’t have done in a million years.
“Besides,” said Zoey, draining her drink. “You’re in the power position. Logan and his team need you. You could make or break him. That means you can ask for whatever you want.”
Back to that infernal question.
