Page 22 of Christmas Hearts

"I think I have an idea."

"Oh yeah? Lay it on me."

"Well, we get the dirt with the detective, and I know Sam and Mandy have some dirt on the mayor. We could do our own live stream about his evil deeds."

"I don't know if that would work or just confuse the community."

"Let me at least talk to Mandy and Sam to see if they're willing to share their stories."

"Yeah, do that. I'll talk to Ben about the detective. I want to know how he got those texts."

Once we had breakfast, we headed to our respective jobs. Surprise, surprise, my front yard had a TV van and somereporters waiting for us. We declined to make any comments and just got in our vehicles.

The hate mail and calls start as soon as I get to the library. People are outraged and are not afraid to show their feelings. I keep my head down and do my job as best as I can, but it's not easy. When I close up the library at five in the afternoon, I notice someone has sprayed graffiti all over the front of the building.

That’s the last straw. I break out in tears. I sit down on the front steps and hug myself. That's how Justin finds me. I feel him sit next to me and put his strong arms around me. I recognize his aftershave immediately and just let myself go.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, gorgeous."

I'm just sniffling and can't say a word. It's partly his fault, but also mine for accepting the agreement and babbling to my BFF. The worst part is that the real reason I'm crying isn’t so much the hate aimed at us but the possibility that Justin will call the wedding off because his campaign was a bust.

I know, I'm a horrible person. The thought of being Justin Hoffer's wife makes me happy deep inside and I don't want that dream to end anytime soon.

"I'll paint over it tomorrow, don't you worry."

He means the graffiti. I nod my head so he knows I'm listening to him. I start to calm down as the warmth from his body seeps into mine. I'm afraid to ask him about the wedding.

"Will this kill your campaign?"

"Normally, it would, but we're dealing with Major Douchebag here. A lot of people might prefer me as mayor despite what happened."

The steady tone of his voice makes me realize he's not giving up. He's not giving even an inch, and I'm glad.

"I'm here for you, Justin."

Tonight Justin can't stay with me, so I go home alone. I get my dinner ready and read a romance novel on my e-reader when myphone rings. It says unknown, and I know better than to answer it, but what if it's an emergency?

"Hello?"

"Miss Gonzalez, this is Mayor Mitchell."

"What do you want?"

"I just thought we should talk. Can I come over?"

I don't know why I say yes, but he tells me he'll be right over. I'm pacing in my living room and I don't know if I should call Justin or one of his brothers to come be my backup. I know nothing good can come from any conversation I have with Gene Mitchell.

When my doorbell rings, I jump up, my nerves completely shattered. I go and open the door and let the hateful man in. Once he's inside, we start a staring contest that seems never-ending.

"What do you want?"

"Has the fallout from Hoffer's deceit been difficult for you, Ana?"

"People are upset."

"How are you feeling regarding this entire situation? You know he's using you, right?"

"Justin is a good man."

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