Page 36 of Where the Blacktop Ends

Our date tonight is all for show, a calculated appearance showing up with Mayor Meadow’s daughter that’ll help me gain more voter’s support. Diane arranged this evening for us, convinced it was time for me to step out from the shadows I’ve kept myself in for the past decade. She said being seen with the mayor’s daughter before my big announcement will be good press. But from the way Minnie’s been eyeing me all night, it’s clear she’s hoping for something more than just a photo op.

And that’s the furthest thing from my mind right now with Georgia here.

I step away, moving toward one of the lavish bars set up in the country club ballroom.

Mayor Meadows isn’t a bad guy, given the circumstances. When Meadows first ran for office, the city was in shambles—crime spiking, schools in decline, and small businesses, where my passion lies, struggling to survive. With my guidance, he implemented community initiatives that drastically reduced violent crime in several neighborhoods. We revamped the public school system, bringing in funding for technology and arts programs, and incentivized new businesses to open, offering tax breaks that revitalized the downtown Manhattan area.

I care about doing the right thing for the people, ensuring the city I’ve lived in for the last decade thrives. I will never compromise my morals or values for money or recognition, no matter how much power or financial incentive someone offers and it’s not about the accolades for me—none of the good can be traced back to me., it’s about results, about fixing what’s broken and giving residents a sense of purpose, safety, community and belonging. It’s about inclusion and organizing and empowering the good people to do the work.

Sure, I’m direct. Ruthless, even, when necessary. My job as a political consultant is to cut through the fluff, push my candidates into the positions they desire. I get results—always. I support the right people, make strategic moves to ensure I have backing when the time comes for my own political career. With the gubernatorial election in two months, every decision counts. Every move must be calculated.

Which is why Georgia, my new nanny, could be a problem for me.

She’s the antithesis of everything I stand for—carefree, barefoot half the time I’ve been around her, with long, wild, strawberry-blonde hair that seems to shift in color depending on the way that the light hits it, a kaleidoscope of browns, blondes, and reds.

And those big, round brown eyes...

Of course, Liam took to her immediately. Eleanor wasted no time calling me on Monday, right after I left, gloating about how Georgia is a “ray of sunshine,” her voice had oozed with satisfaction. She couldn’t resist adding,“Of all the women you could’ve hired in New York, you chose one from Texas. And that’s the only reason why I’m comfortable stepping away from being Liam’s primary caregiver during the week. That’s the only reason this is going to work.”

Apparently, Liam agreed.

In just one week, he’s gone from barely speaking to telling full-fledged stories and speaking in complete, short sentences. Eleanor couldn’t help but twist the knife a little deeper, pointing out the progress Georgia’s made with him—progress that I hadn’t been able to give, despite my best efforts.

The guilt hit me harder than I’d expected, mingled with a strange sense of pride and relief that I’ve hired the right person. I needed someone to complete me, to carry the weight where I can no longer manage to balance everything, and Georgia has done just that.

She completes me.

I shake my head, realizing how childish and ridiculous that statement sounds. I can handle it all on my own, I always have, but it sure is nice to have one thing taken from my very full plate. But that doesn’t mean she can invade every part of my life, especially not tonight’s white party when I should be working.

I wave at the bartender and order a glass of champagne, sipping it casually while I lean against the bar and watch the crowd.

I was only twenty when I had Max, and those early years passed in a blur. Some days, it feels like I blinked, and his childhoodwas gone before I even had the chance to hold on to it. But with Liam, I get a second shot—a chance to slow down and savor the moments I missed the first time around.

I just wish Max could see what he’s missing while he’s off in Europe. He deserves to enjoy his youth, to finish what he started, to build a future for himself and Liam. I’ve always pushed him to do that, even knowing there might come a day when he looks back with regrets. Balancing college, a career, and a toddler wasn’t easy for me, but I had my family behind me, steady as the farmland we worked. The least I can do is give Max that same foundation to stand on.

My gaze sweeps the room, aimless at first—or at least that’s what I tell myself. But I know that’s a lie.

Why is Georgia here? I wasn’t expecting that.

And of course, she shows up to the all-white event onhisarm—her so-called "friend." The same guy who was there the day she moved into my home.

The moment James dropped her off, suitcases in tow, I had Diane run a background check on him.

No prior convictions, a few speeding tickets from over five years ago. He’s an architect in the city, a respectable enough guy from his social media pages. I was tempted to dig deeper into his relationship with Georgia, but I held myself back. It isn’t fair to invade her privacy beyond the basics that I need to know. As long as Liam is safe, and not home when they hang out, I don’t care who she spends her free time with.

Ican’tcare.

But the way James was touching her tonight...

The way he was holding her close and looking down at her with fucking hearts in his eyes…

It told me all I needed to know and something that felt a lot like jealousy clawed at my ribs.

They’re more than friends, and this isn’t just some casual date.

Maybe they’re not together, not officially, but they’ve seen each other naked—I’d bet my last dollar on it. The way he looks at her, like he’s tasted her, like heownsa piece of her, is all too familiar.

Because it’s the same way I’ve caught myself looking at her tonight.

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