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They both stared at each other and then another round of laughter filled the air.
“So you and Mase. You live in Minnesota. I’ve never been there.”
“Oh, you should visit sometime. Beautiful place. We live in Mulberry. It’s small and gossipy, but great people. Most of them.” Hope rolled her eyes. “My sister’s husband’s father is a pain in my ass.”
Genevieve frowned, which prompted Hope to continue.
“Long story short, he’s an ass and I plan to take his place as mayor. I didn’t realize it would be as hard as it is. Well, no, I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t know how nerve-racking and stressful it would be. No, that’s not true either. I knew it would be. I just…” Hope blew out a breath. “I needed this mini vacation. It’s been quite a long year, and November will be here soon and I want to win.”
Genevieve picked up the champagne glass she’d been sipping and held it toward Hope. “To winning. I know you will.”
Hope grabbed her glass that had red and orange swirled together in it and clinked with her glass. “To winning. I do plan to win. I don’t know why I said all of that.”
Genevieve shrugged. “Sometimes, you have to get shit off your chest.”
“Very true.” Hope tilted her head and gave her a weird combination of a smirk and a joyful smile. “You have to visit me sometime. I insist.”
“We’ll have celebratory drinks when you win.”
“Deal.”
Then they were clinking glasses again and giggling for no apparent reason.
22
About two months later
Aloud squeal filled the room. Then she hopped up and down, not flinching once by the movement. Although she despised physical therapy with every breath in her body, it was a lifesaver. Her therapist, Molly, had been more than she hoped for. Not that she had hoped for much, other than for it to go quickly and be done with. Molly was supportive and encouraged her every step of the way, while also being a drill sergeant that scared her into doing the work or else.
Genevieve looked over at Corey where he sat on the floor with Amelie playing blocks. Her excitement had roused Amelie’s interest. She stood up like she’d been doing it for months when in reality, she only started feeling confident on her feet three weeks ago. Then her sweet, chubby legs were scrambling toward her, squealing in delight.
“That’s right, sweetie pie. Let’s celebrate.” Genevieve picked up Amelie as soon as she got close enough and twirled her.
Corey joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them. “Do we get to know why we’re celebrating?” He kissed the top of Amelie’s head, then swiped one from her.
“I didn’t hear you squeal in delight with us.”
He chuckled, then mimicked a soft squeal that had her giggling.
“I just got off the phone with Hope. She won.” Her lips spread so wide, they strained her cheeks and she didn’t even care. “She won the election against that bugger butt.” She made a goofy face, rubbing her nose with Amelie’s, which caused her to giggle in that sweet, child-like way she did.
“I’m going to pretend you used the real words instead of bugger butt.” Corey rolled his eyes with a silly smile. “That’s great. Good for her. Mayor of a small town. Wow.”
“She’s so excited. I’m excited for her. She deserves it so much.”
Since Mia and Jaxson’s wedding two months ago, she chatted with Hope so frequently, it’s as if they’d been friends all their lives. They texted throughout the day, dumb jokes, or venting about something. Hope loved to gripe about former Mayor Hafferty. She liked to complain about physical therapy putting her through the wringer.
They hadn’t known each other long, but she couldn’t imagine not having Hope in her life.
“We should send flowers or something.”
She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “That’s a wonderful idea. We have to do that.”
“Well, you make the grocery list, I’ll get them, and while I’m gone you can find a flower shop that delivers. Then we’ll head to the library for storytime.”
Their Monday ritual. Neither worked and they tried to get prepared for the week ahead. Groceries done. Laundry completed. A trip to the library for Amelie where they had the best storytime for little ones. They picked up three new books for the week, returning the old ones. Sometimes, they picked up something on the way home for supper. Sometimes, they cooked. Today felt like a day to celebrate as if Hope were here with them.
“Can we grab pizza and champagne on the home way?”
