The Women Rising Chair approaches on her way out. “You were brilliant, Rayne. Transparent in a brave way. We would love to continue working with you on your Bayside Digital Safety Initiative.”
“I’d welcome that. Thank you for your endless support. For not giving up on me.”
“You will still do great things for Bayside,” she says with a warm smile. “Maybe even run again.”
“Maybe.”
She shakes my hand, and I watch her leave. Dad offers to walk me home. I give Anika a hug, and we agree to meet tomorrow. Tonight is too fresh to unpack any of it.
I go into my office to grab my purse, shut down my laptop, and just sit in this office for one last time—feeling sad but also proud. When I step back out, the space is empty.
Except for DK.
He stands near the entrance. Still in his suit, tie loosened. Solemn. Subdued. He doesn't look like a man who just won. I’m vaguely aware that my Dad’s gone as I cross the floor toward him. He breaks into long strides to meet me in the middle, and pulls me against his chest.
“Congratulations,” I whisper. “You should be celebrating with your team.”
“I wasn’t feeling celebratory.” His lips brush the crown of my head. “I’m sorry, Luna. You deserved that win.”
“Almost,” I say, pulling back just enough to look up into the face I love. I trace the line of his jaw, my fingers combing through his beard. “That’s the bittersweet part. I went up against the incumbent and his titan of a campaign strategist, and I nearly won.”
“Yeah, you did.” He rubs his hands up my spine, his voice gentling. “No regrets?”
“About outing us?”
He nods, guilt edging beneath the surface.
“No.” I chose to have a secret relationship. I chose to stop hiding it. If losing is the consequence, I can accept that. “I told you there’d be no regrets, and I meant it. I’ll lick my wounds because a loss still feels like shit no matter the reason. But tomorrow, I’ll wake up Rayne Webber—not mayor. But still me.”
His fingertips touch my cheek. “You’re more than any seat. You’re going to kick ass no matter what you do.”
“I don’t know what that is yet. But I want to keep serving Bayside in some capacity.”
“You have time to figure it out.”
“What about you?” I ask.
“Diablo wants to talk to me about staying on as the Expansion Director. It seems that winning thawed the ice.”
“Do you want that?”
He shakes his head. “He’ll never truly trust me again. And it’s not what I want to do anyway. It was a safe option at the time. A way to slow down.” He huffs a laugh. “Of course, I didn’t know then that I would meet this incredible woman who would have my heart and give me a run for my money. I want to do the work I love, campaign advising.”
“Oh.” My stomach twists harder than from the loss. “You’re going back to D.C.?”
He makes a face. “And leave you? Hell no.”
The blood returns to my body in the way of a bright smile.
“I’ll have to give up my rental, though,” he says, faking an adorable sad face. “I’ll be without a place to live. Know of anything available in the area?”
I can’t contain my hard cheesing, probably looking ridiculous. “I might have some room at my place.”
“Yeah? You’re willing to share closet space?”
“Ohhh, I hadn’t considered that,” I tease. “Now I have to rethink the whole offer.”
He laughs and pulls me back to him. “I’m going to consult. Reach out to my contacts and offer my political and legal services to campaigns.”
