Page 4 of See You Next Tuesday

“You assumed—”

“You’re supposed to be my supervisor! Thinking you were at least a paid staffer was a fair inference, not to mention you asked me to be your deputy! Deputy of what, exactly?”

“Of, you know.” He swirled his hand in a vague motion. “My purview.”

“How old are you?” she asked accusatorially, though she managed not to jab a finger into his chest.

“I’ll be twenty-three in October.”

“What day in October?” she gritted.

“The twenty-third.” He gave her a little smile. “It’s my golden birthday this year.”

“Oh, so now you have my birthday?” Anya shook her head. “We’re exactly the same age.”

“Birthday twins?! No shit!” Gabe looked overjoyed. “Anyway, should we get you your assignment?”

“My what?”

“Your assignment.” Gabe picked up the clipboard he’d left on the kitchen counter. “The reason you approached me in the first place. Unless this has all been an elaborate gambit to get my number, in which case, hat’s off, you had me fooled.”

Anya sighed. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

Gabe beamed. “Yet here you stand, suffering me.”

“How long have you worked here, exactly?”

“Mm, two days. But I’m very good.” He leaned toward her again. “I think you’re really going to enjoy working under me.”

She swallowed hard. “You know what?”

His breath quickened—not much, but enough that she could tell. “What?”

She leaned even closer, a smile spreading across her face.

“I’m gonna spend the summer in the Manchester office instead.”

Chapter 2

Three years later

Salditch for Congress—Columbus, Ohio

Ohio 15th Moves from LEAN R to TOSS-UP

by Patrick Mates, posted on MatesPrognosticates.com

We’ve got a new batch of polls from OH-15 (Columbus), and with two weeks until Election Day, I’m officially moving the race from LEAN R to TOSS-UP. Democratic candidate Jenna Salditch is the beloved former coach of the Ohio State women’s basketball team, but she has an uphill battle unseating an eight-term incumbent, especially in a seat that has never been held by a woman. But the district has been hit hard by manufacturing job loss, and that combined with strong antiwar sentiment has fostered an appetite for change. I’m also told Salditch has engaged Progress Wins, the DC consulting firm known for pulling off miraculous victories in tight races. These are all good signs for Salditch, but will it be enough to get her to Congress? Adding this to our list of twenty races to watch—stay tuned!

Text message transcript: Walt, Judy, and Anya Katz

Judy [6:23am]: GOOD MORNING, BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!!

Judy [6:23am]: How’s the packing going?

Judy [6:24am]: Are you sure you don’t want us to meet you in Columbus? The drive’s only six hours

Walt [6:24am]: I can make it in five hours flat