Chewing on my bottom lip, I fight a grin. "I have. I met this girl and she stole just about every part of me, actually. My mind. My heart too."
Her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink and she looks at the ground. I tilt her chin up again so she's looking at me.
"This is your call, baby. Because this, you and me, means more to me than anything else. If you hate the idea of being my girl while I'm the most powerful man in the state," I smirk, "then I'll turn down the job. I just had to prove to myself that I could do it."
Her eyes narrow, her bottom lip between her teeth. The wheels turn as she mulls over the prospect, and I'm not sure which way she's going to go. A bubble of anxiety builds.
Her hands press against my cheeks, her thumb stroking the scar over my eye. "When Lincoln hit you with the ball, did you throw it back at him?"
"What?" I half laugh.
"When you got this scar, what did you do next?"
I shrug.
"Did you quit playing with him?"
I think back, confused as to why we're discussing this now. "No, actually, I don't think I did. I think I made him throw me another pitch so he hit the one hundred he was supposed to throw every day, and then I went inside and Mom took me to the ER."
She smiles and kisses me. "Take the job."
"What?"
"Take it. Be the governor."
"I'm so confused, Ali."
She takes my hand, lacing it with hers. "You aren't a quitter, Barrett. And you aren't scared. Those are two things I need to not be either."
"Do I scare you, baby?" I bring our hands to my mouth and kiss each knuckle.
"I think I'd be scared if you stopped looking at me like that."
I laugh and pick her up, tossing her legs over my right arm. Her hands fly around my neck, the air is pierced with her giggles.
"There's not a chance of that happening. So I think you're safe." I bend down and touch our lips together. "So you'll be my girl? Even though you once told me I'm the exact person you didn't want to be with?"
She grins. "I thought you once told me you could spot a liar from a mile away."
Barrett
THE CELEBRATION WINDS DOWN INSIDE the house. It’s been an insane day, capped off by a victory in so many ways. It’s been one of the best days of my life.
So many people came by after the election was called in my favor. The house is full of people—friends, family, associates, even Ali’s friend, Lola. I just need a few minutes to myself.
I slip out the back door and around the corner of the house. The night is calm, quiet, the air cool. It’s just what I need to get my head wrapped around the new direction my life has taken. I’m at absolute peace for the first time, and I just want a moment away from everyone to soak it up.
I head to the tree line and the little bench that lurks right out of sight.
Pushing through the trees, I come face-to-face with Lincoln. He’s sitting on the bench, his head in his hands. He looks up through his fingers and when he realizes it’s me, he shakes his head.
“Busted,” he sighs, sitting up straight.
“What’s going on?” I take a seat next to him.
“Just getting a little peace and quiet.” He glances at me over his shoulder. “I’m sure you do know. I’m sure you know better than me.”
“Everything all right?”