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With one last slam inside of her, I exploded. Earth melted away, and all I could feel was whatever magic she and I had. I was on fire in the best way.

And I was able to have it again.

There was no speaking after we were done. I tried to keep myself from falling on top of Jade, but she tugged me to her, content to cuddle after what we’d just done. She made no moves to get up or regain any of her senses, and I let her hold me.

The sex and stress had taken it out of me, so for a while, both of us drifted somewhere between consciousness and sleep. Eventually, Jade’s phone continuously went off, and so did mine.

She tensed as if she knew what time it was, and I got off her to check. I opened my phone, heart pounding in my ears.

“Well?” she asked as she took off the headphones.

My jaw was on the ground, and I slowly looked at her. “Jade, you won.”

“I what?” She stood and ran over. She grabbed the phone from me and looked at the results herself.

It was narrow. By the skin of her teeth, but she’d done it.

Jade was the next mayor of Strawberry Springs.

63

JADE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Henry Connor: As much as we like to joke around in here, I think we should take a moment to talk about Hugh. His memory seems to be declining, and I’m worried about him.

Comments:

Marjorie Brown: He seems as sharp as a tack! There hasn’t been an ass posting in months!

Hu Gh: Quit your yapping. I’m totally fine. I just like to watch you little pansies run around freaking out.

Mollie Wilson: You once posted a picture of your ass on here asking for medical advice.

Jade Clark: You also forgot that you got chickens.

Hu Gh: And you all screamed about it each time. I love messing with you. You’re all too easy.

Hu Gh: Besides, didn’t you compare my real ass to the ones in the photos? Half of those were pulled from Google, you idiots.

Wren Hackett: Is he being serious right now?

Tammy Jane: You knew how to use Google the whole time?!?!

I walked into the mayor’s office with a smile on my face. “Wow, this is nice.”

It was still hard to believe that I’d somehow become the mayor of Strawberry Springs. I had no idea what I would be doing each day, but this was my new job.

As much as I liked to joke around, I was taking this seriously. I knew that I would be here as much as I could, and I would be dedicated to making the town better.

“It’s not yours yet,” a dry voice said.

I turned to see Toby glaring at me.

“Where’s your little henchman? Usually he’s here being an asshole.”

“Oh, I’m here.” Kevin walked in behind his uncle. “I have plenty of things to be an asshole about.”