Page 89 of Fairground

She sighs, and it’s not just a breath—it’s a full-body release, like she’s been carrying something too heavy for too long. I push her back gently so I can see her face, brushing a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

“Hey. You know you can tell me anything. I tease a lot but I'm listening now.” And I’m also nervous because it’s been a while since she’s looked this serious.

She nods, her lips pressing together in hesitation before she finally speaks. “I feel foolish for waiting this long to tell you, and I hope you won’t be mad that I kept this from you while I tried to figure things out in my head.”

My brows furrow, a little knot of unease forming in my chest. I sit back on my heels, still totally naked, my cock softening as I try to read her expression and prepare for her words.

She bites her lip, watching me. “Cash, the mayor of Charlotte’s chief of staff called me last week while I was at lunch with my parents. They offered me a position. Director of Marketing, branding, and social media.”

I blink, rubbing my jawline as I process her words. “Damn. That’s…” My voice trails off as I scratch at my beard, not sure what to say. I certainly hadn’t seen this coming.

She nods. “I know.”

“So, what’d you tell them?”

“I told them I needed two weeks to decide.”

“And it’s been a week now. Have you decided?”

She shakes her head, biting her lip again. “Not quite.”

I stare at her for a long moment, the air between us heavy with unspoken words. Sure, I’m a little annoyed she kept this from me for so long, wish I would have been there to help her talk things out, but I get it. Maybe she needed time to work through it on her own. She doesn’t owe me every thought that she has, and this is a big decision. One that will affect her future.

Still, the thought of her packing up, leaving this town, leaving me—it punches a hole in my chest. I knew how hard I’d fallen for her, didn’t need the thought of her leaving to make me realize that.

“And what happens if you win this whole mayor thing?” I ask.

She looks down, her voice small. “I don’t know.”

“Well, damn, Rae. That’s kind of messed up, don’t you think? You’re gonna let the whole town down like that? Votes are already cast—it’s not like they can take them back now.”

“I know,” she whispers, guilt written all over her face.

“Then why run for mayor of a town you always thought you’d leave if a better opportunity presents itself?”

“It’s not that I intended to leave,” she says quickly. “When I first came here, I didn’t know what I wanted. Running for mayor was… a distraction at first. A way to pass the time.”

“And what is it now?”

“It feels like… more. Like I could actually enjoy living and working here.”

I nod because I believe her. It’s in the way her voice softens when she talks to the folks around town, like she’s speaking toold friends even if they just met. It’s in the way her whole face brightens when we’re crowded around my dad’s kitchen table or driving down back roads with the windows down, the town rolling past like it’s always known her. She’s not uncomfortable making small talk anymore and she’s even made friends. She looks like she belongs here, even if she doesn’t fully know it yet.

I’ve watched Rae fall in love with this place one piece at a time, like she’s been trying to talk herself out of it the whole time, but the town just won’t let her go. Hell, I won’t let her go. And it’s been a beautiful thing to witness.

“So, what’s waiting for you back in Charlotte?”

“Um…”

“You got an apartment there still?” I pry.

“No.”

“A boyfriend I don’t know about?”

“No!”

“Job?”

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