Page 71 of Living Hell

“Yes,” I answered for Iona.

I hated that Keaghan Bailey was going to be anywhere near Iona. He was a dickhead growing up and hadn’t changed since. Now that he was mayor, it only amplified his dickishness. Now he could be an asshole and people had to smile and nod while shaking his hand.

I remember how he treated Iona and if I hadn’t been in her life, he would have tried more. There was something I overheard in the boys’ locker room while we were changing for gym class before the end of year dance. He had no idea I heard him gloat to his buddies about what he had planned to do to Iona. I made sure it never happened, but I never told Iona. She had been through enough in her life and didn’t need to be frightened like that.

“I’ll go,” I said.

They all turned their heads to me. Cara and Iona looked surprised, but Jake shook his head and moved toward the refrigerator.

“But Iona is the one who’s on the float and taking part in the festivities,” Cara’s said as her eyes bounced between me and Iona.

“But you’re going,” I pointed out.

“She’s my assistant. She keeps track of my schedule and appearances. Without her, I’d be lost,” Iona said with a sickly smile.

“Really?” Cara whispered, red creeping up her cheeks.

“Yes. I think of you not just as an assistant, but also my friend. I’d do anything for you. Just ask and I’ll make it happen. As long as it doesn’t involve me eating right now. That can’t happen.” She placed a hand on her stomach and grimaced.

“Actually, it’s the mind and body web series I thought up. You brought it up last week in the mayor’s office. I wanted to host the series . . .” Cara seemed to be holding her breath after she spoke.

“I had no idea you wanted to do it. I thought you came up with the idea as something for me to do.”

“What would it be about?” I asked, intrigued by the mention of mind and body.

“It would be a web-only series where I would focus on a different topic each episode. Something with health. Like one episode would be about how we eat.” Cara waved her hand toward the raisins and I shuddered. “I was thinking of interviewing professionals in the field, the average person’s experiences, and with Iona’s help, some celebrities.”

“That sounds amazing. I’d watch it,” Jake said as he cut up some hard-boiled eggs to toss into his breakfast salad.

I watched Iona as some color returned to her face. “That does sound great. I think you’d be the perfect host, Cara. You’re a wonderful listener and it’s easy to open up to you. I could produce it if you want?”

Cara’s smile grew wide and she pulled Iona into a hug.

“Yay, hugs,” Jake said and got in on the action.

“Get off my fiancée.” I pulled his arm back before he could engulf them.

“Does this mean I can meet with the mayor?”

Iona put her hands on her hips after letting go of Cara. “Why would Cara hosting a web series have anything to do with you meeting with the mayor about the parade schedule?”

“You are in a giving mood. You said you’d do anything for Cara. What about me? Would you let me have this one thing? Please, Iona.”

She held up her hand. “I don’t even want to know why you want to meet with him, but if it’s what would make you happy, go with Cara today. But let her do most of the talking. She knows what I want.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t do much talking at all.” I clenched my fist behind my back.

---