Page 69 of The Pinkie Pact

I thought about his place. But I'd have to kind of invite myself over unless he took the initiative, and again, I didn't think he would.

Kara appeared next to us, holding Gen's hand. "We're going to take off," she said to me.

I nodded, grinning, because they certainly seemed chummy, and I was super happy for Kara. "Have fun." I leaned closer to her ear. "And let me know if I need to hang in the study lounge."

She laughed, wiggling her eyebrows at me before she stuck her tongue out at Kieran. "Take care of my friend. Okay, turd?"

Shaking his head, he chuckled. "Good night, turd."

Kieran and I ended up staying until closing time when they kicked us all out. I kept thinking he'd be ready to leave because he had a class in the morning, but he didn't say anything, and I wondered if he felt the same way I did, never wanting this night to end.

"So I have something I need to tell you," Kieran said as we walked down the dark sidewalk, hand in hand, a humongous building on one side, a quiet street on the other.

My heart sunk at the seriousness in his tone. "That sounds ominous."

He chuckled. "No, nothing that bad. Just more of a bummer."

"Okay. So what is it?" I asked, a tight feeling in my chest.

"Well, these next few weeks leading up to the election are going to be crazy for me, and I'm not sure how much I'll be able to see you," he said.

"Oh, I see." That really, really sucked.

"I'll be traveling a lot with my mom, going back to New Hampshire for a while and then to a couple of swing states where she's speaking too, trying to help down-ballot."

I wasn't sure how to feel. Of course, I wanted to see him and be with him as much as possible, but I also thought it was really impressive that he helped his mom like that. "I didn't realize you were so involved."

"Well, she really likes having me there, mostly to introduce her and be on stage, especially because my dad can't always be there."

"So do you actually like helping out? Or is it more of a family obligation?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I love it," he said, squeezing my hand as if to emphasize his point. "It's what I want to do someday."

To be honest, it was pretty hot to hear Kieran talk about his passions in life. To hear him speak with such conviction was sexy as hell.

"And you say you introduce her... does that make you nervous at all?"

"I'm not going to lie. It freaks the hell out of me."

"Oh, good. Youarehuman." I couldn't help teasing him.

He let out a chuckle. "Most definitely I'm human. But it's also a thrill, you know?"

"Uh, if you say so."

Laughing again, Kieran held me tight as we crossed a busy street, looking out for cars turning in the dark.

Once we were safely across, I asked, "So why do you want to go into politics in the first place?"

He paused a moment before answering. "I guess I just want to help. I want to make a difference in this crazy world."

I could see that, but I also had some questions and doubts about that path. "And you think politics is the best way to do that?"

Chuckling, he held onto my hand once again. "I definitely see where you're coming from, and yes, there are many ways to do something to help. Like you. Volunteering and eventually teaching."

Good answer. I could already see the politician in him.

"But this is the best way I know for me," he continued. "I mean, I know it's all so fucked up right now. But I've seen what my mom has done. And she's helped so many people. The letters she gets and the things people have said to her... she's actually made a real difference in people's lives."

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