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I turned to look at him.
“Whatever your decision is, I'm right there with you,” he confirmed, although I already knew it was the case.
I tightened my grip on his hand. "Then let's go make some waves."
We clinked our coffee mugs together.
A week later, the Cold Pines Community Center was a whirlwind of activity. Final preparations were in full swing as Hoss and I walked in. Campaign posters lined the walls, and our closest friends and community members buzzed around, setting up chairs and doing sound checks. A striking "Vote for Pete" sign hung from a podium in the front of the room.
"Think they're gonna be surprised?" Hoss asked, giving me a sidelong glance.
"Surprised? I think half the town's been gossiping about this all week long. They're probably here to see if the rumors are true."
Hoss chuckled. “Let's not keep them in suspense any longer."
As we sat on the platform near the podium, I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Ready for this?" Hoss asked.
"As I'll ever be," I said, trying to keep my nerves in check.
"Don't worry; you're gonna knock 'em dead. Besides, if they don't vote for you, they'll have to answer to me."
"And that's supposed to comfort me?"
Hoss laughed. “This cougar has claws.”
When the event began, Hoss stepped up to the microphone. "Good afternoon, everyone,” he said in a cheerful voice.
The room erupted in applause and cheers. Hoss waited for everyone to quiet down before continuing. "So, you may know me as the guy who stands behind the bench at every Cougars game, yelling at our boys to skate faster and hit harder," he began. "But today, I stand before you as someone far more significant: Pete's better half."
Laughter spread through the crowd.
“He's the guy who makes all of us want to be better," Hoss said as the tone of his voice grew more serious. "Whether it's on the ice, in the community, or in everyday life. He's the heart of this team and this town. And that's why he's stepping up to serve all of you in a new way.”
Hoss paused, looked at me, and then back at the crowd. "So without further ado, let me introduce you to the next mayor of Cold Pines—my love, my partner, my better two-thirds because, let's face it, one-half doesn't cover it—Pete Zingara!”
I walked onto the stage, my heart pounding so loud I was sure the entire room could hear it. Hoss stepped aside, clapping me on the back as I took my position at the podium.
"Thank you, Hoss," I began, "for that introduction that I could only dream of deserving." A light chuckle swept through the room. "And thank you all for being here, for investing your time in the future of Cold Pines."
Looking out at the faces in the crowd—our neighbors, our friends, our team—I felt a newfound surge of conviction. We were all in this together, and whatever happened next, we'd face it head-on, just as we'd always done. And so, with Hoss by my side, we charged ahead, ready for the next chapter and whatever it would bring.
* * *
