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“Nothing. But yeah, it’s no secret he’s really protective of his only daughter. I don’t think he has anything against you personally.”

I avert my gaze.

“Do you think she’s going with someone else to the dinner?” she asks.

“Dunno. Haven’t thought about it,” I lie.

“Then come with me as a safeguard. If you’re with me, the mayor will have no reason to become defensive, you’ll save face if she ends up coming with someone else, and you’ll help me save face because then I won’t be there alone. If she’s there alone, and the mayor turns his back, then you and Juliet can, you know, do what comes natural. It’s a win-win-win...win.”

I don’t know how to respond to her plan. Honestly, it’s sound. But what the heck does she think I want to do with the mayor’s daughter, hook up?

“I don’t even know her,” I say weakly.

“Then get to know her.”

“And if the mayor sees me and runs me out with a pitchfork?”

“It’s not like we’re going to the Walkers’ farm. There won’t be any pitchforks there. I mean, if anything, he’d use a very tiny salad fork, but I think that’d be more entertaining than threatening. Anyway, our mayor’s more professional than you give him credit for. Come on. I already have an extra ticket next to my brother and his date. We can get all dressed up and eat fancy food. It’ll be fun.”

“Your idea of fun and my idea of fun have nothing in common.”

I’d rather sit down in my jeans and look up at the stars with a cup of hot chocolate and donuts than wear formal clothes and eat food I can’t pronounce the names of.

“Okay. I’ll sweeten the deal,” Sadie continues. “You come with me, and I’ll bring you some maple bars.”

I pull in my lips. She knows she has me. “Only if it’s two dozen.”

“Deal.”

I don’t like what I’ve just agreed to, but at least I’ll be getting something out of this now. And like Sadie says, it’s a win-win-win...win.

Unless Juliet shows up with a guy, Sadie becomes too busy with dessert, I end up alone, and the mayor runs me out with a tiny salad fork because I’m unable to stop staring at Juliet and her azure eyes.

This is why I usually stay home with my horses. They’re much easier to handle than politics.

Juliet

Autumn Ridge’s Town Hall is smaller than average. It has a few rooms, but only one medium-sized meeting space that serves as a gathering place for laws to be made—as well as a ballroom for special events like tonight’s.

It’s the most boring location in all of town with its white walls, wooden flooring, and plain, off-gold light fixtures. But tonight, the personality-less room has been transformed.

Large floral displays of yellow flowers decorate the center of each of the twenty circular tables crammed into the space, and billowing bouquets of golden balloons line every wall, with even more set loose to float against the ceiling. The tables have black cloths draped over them, and each of the plain, white chairs have received a glow-up with black and gold ribbons tied to the backs.

Lisa Ellis, my dad’s secretary, has been planning the party for months now and has completely outdone herself.

“It looks incredible in here, Lisa,” I say in awe as Dad and I step into the room together.

“Aw, you’re so sweet. Anything for our mayor.”

Her eyes twinkle as she looks up at him.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, Lisa,” Dad says, revealing just how humbled he is because of her efforts.

It’s no surprise that Lisa has put thought into this. She’s been here for Dad since the beginning of his mayoral duties. I thought they might’ve hit it off romantically, but Dad always said how highly unprofessional a relationship with her would be, so I let it go.

I think Lisa has other plans, though. She’s not discreet about her flirting. Even now, her hand lingers on his arm. Only this time, Dad allows it. Is he finally starting to bend his own rules?

Lisa must have noticed my stares, as she removes her hand to embrace me. “Of course none of this could’ve been made possible without Juliet here.” She looks at Dad. “Do you know all that she did while still busy at college? She answered every call, took every question, and quelled every concern I had.”