“Hi.” I keep staring. “Where’s Anika?”
“At the campaign office. I thought her time was better spent there. Diablo?”
“On his way.” I move closer, since we rarely get this much time alone. “Nervous?”
“Yes.” She smooths down her suit, taking a slow breath. “I just pray I won’t have lipstick on my teeth or stumble over my answers.”
The outside world gets her flinchless self-assurance. I get that up-close private peek at what she doesn’t show.
“Your teeth are on point,” I assure her. “And I’ve seen you in action with the press. You’re not going to stumble. Even if youdo, you’ll recover with a humorous comeback and keep it going. Just be yourself, Luna. You can’t miss with that.”
“Oooh… I see you.” She aims two fingers at her eyes. “Sneaky sabotage. Trying to confidence-bomb me so I go in front of the cameras feeling good.”
“You’re onto my diabolical plan.”
She laughs quietly. “Thanks for the boost.”
“Always.”
Emotion brews in her eyes. Then her fingers reach out, trailing softly across my knuckles. “Two more days,” she whispers.
“Too long.”
“I know.”
“Rayne?” The floor manager pokes his head in, and we immediately draw apart. “You’re up.”
“Break a leg, Luna,” I say for her ears only.
She gives me a quick smile before turning to follow him. Then she’s gone, leaving behind her warm floral scent and the soft remnant of her touch.
Diablo breezes in soon after. We grab a seat on the couch in front of the monitor, and I open my laptop to take notes.
“Did you see Rayne?” he asks.
“Briefly.”
“How was she?”
“I’m sure there were some nerves,” I say, giving him a clinical observation. “It’s her first live television appearance. But I expect she’ll overcome them and do well.”
“Let’s hope not too well.” He nudges my shoulder with a grin.
I return a tight smile and direct my eyes at the screen.
The Bayside Brieflogo flashes, then the host appears. Kane Wagner. White-capped teeth and coiffed blond hair. He runs through his opening before the camera pans to include Luna in the frame.
“Today, mayoral candidate Rayne Webber joins us onThe Brief.”
“Thank you for having me, Kane.”
I lean forward, studying her under the studio lights.
She sits across from him, posture straight but relaxed, hands loosely clasped on the table.
“Welcome, Mayoral Candidate Webber,” he says.
“Rayne, please.”
