Page 74 of The Mayor and the Mystery Man

“You did?” There was a chance he was going to attend, and I was relieved he’d missed my stumbling performance.

But nope. He caught it.

“That was a great job out there.”

I lifted my head, making sure I heard him.

“You’re a fighter. I know a fighter when I see one.” His hand went to a fist. He was a man who missed the thrill of politics. He was known for his ferocious debates.

“I’m fighting for Sourwood. I want to make sure this town, my hometown, where my family lives, is taken care of.”

“That’s the spirit. That’s what it’s about. Too many politicians use office as a power trip. And don’t get me wrong, there are definitely perks of the job, but it should first and foremost be about making the people you serve better off.”

“And I strove to do that.”

“You have succeeded. Every year, I see Sourwood showing up on lists of best places to live. My niece and her husband bought a house on the west side of town. They’ve heard the most wonderful things about Sourwood. From the activities to the schools. They have two little girls.”

“One of my best friends has a son in Sourwood Elementary. It’s a great school.”

“This small town has grown, but yet you still managed to keep its small-town feel.” His wrinkly skin split into a smile. He slurped his coffee. “That’s why I have my eye on you for the future.”

“The future?” I sat up in my chair and spun my coffee cup in my hand.

“The governor’s mansion is up for grabs in four years.”

I did a double-take. “What about—”

“She’s not going to seek re-election. Term limits.” Harlen’s thick, wiry eyebrows leapt up with squirmy excitement, a boy dying to tell a secret. “It’s open season.”

He was a man who lived for the thrill of politics. We were one and the same.

“I’m always on the hunt for new talent to shepherd.” Harlen put down his coffee. “You’ve been making a name for yourself in Sourwood, Leo. You’ve done a great job here. But you’ve got ambition. You want more. I can see it in you. I see that same fire that I had.”

“Thank you, Harlen. Coming out in the middle of my first term and weathering a divorce, I felt like I had to fight harder.”

“You’re an unconventional candidate. I like those,” he said as he sipped his coffee. “Is it something you’ve thought about?”

My heart raced with the possibilities. I loved being mayor of Sourwood. I could see tangible progress in my town, making this community stronger. People had mentioned I should run for a state rep or Congress, but that wasn’t my jam. You were stuck in a Capitol building completely disconnected from your constituents except when you needed them to donate or vote. As mayor, my energy could bear direct fruit.

But governor…

Harlen was looking at me, seemingly amused. “I can see the thoughts rolling through your head.”

“It’s—governor…” I couldn’t play it cool. I leaned forward and lowered my voice. “You really think I could be governor?”

“I don’t much enjoy blowing smoke up people’s asses.”

I sat back and let this sink in. Me governor? In charge of New York state, one of the largest states in the country? New York freaking City would be under my jurisdiction. I could finally get tickets toHamilton.

“You are a rising star in New York politics,” he said. “You’re young, energetic, well-liked. You’ve gotten your sex scandal out of the way now.”

Milkman. Major cringe. “Will that be a problem?”

“Have you seen the men we’ve elected governor to New York? And it’s all in the past, right?”

“Right.” No way was I allowing myself to be exposed to random strangers on the internet. “So, what should I be doing?”

“Keep doing what you’re doing. Secure that W.”

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