Page 63 of The Second Dance

I straighten. “What did you do?”

“I rigged the election.”

I’m struggling to keep up. “The election… at the Fireman’s Ball?”

He nods, grinning. “You know that new fire engine you boys have been whining about needing?”

I stare at him.

“I committed the cash, but only if the city council let me have a hand in who the Spring King and Queen are this year.”

“Do not do that.”

He chuckles. “It’s done.”

“Well, undo it. I’m not going.”

He nods. “You are. And so is that girl.”

“Andy? Good luck with that. She won’t come.”

“She already agreed. Well, technically, her boss agreed.”

I frown. “How’d you manage that?”

“I committed the same amount to the bird thing.”

I scrub a hand over my face. “You are literally buying a date for me. This is pathetic, dad.”

“No, it’s using your resources.”

“You’re just giving out cash now?”

He shrugs. “You and I both know this is peanuts for an operation like ours. And besides, you can’t take it with you.”

“Take it with you—you planning on going somewhere?”

He huffs a laugh. “Son, I’m halfway to hell. And you ain’t coming with me.”

36.

Andy

I flop back on Whit’s couch, balancing a glass of white wine in my hand.

Whit sits next to me, folding her legs under herself. Leaning on the back of the couch, she rests her chin on her hand. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too.” I say, only half meaning it. I’m glad to spending the next week with Whit. She’s letting me stay with her again. I just wish it didn’t have to be tied to the Thomas donation.

“How are things going with the arboretum?”

“Besides dealing with the grumpiest maintenance team in all of Thorne County? Just peachy.”

“So… The Fireman’s Ball, eh?”

I sit up, avoiding her prodding stare. “I’m not going to that trumped up event.”

“But you’re the Spring Queen.” She blurts.