Lexi approaches and takes my arm. She’s giving me the look. It means something’s up.

“I’m sorry, guys,” she says to the group of waiting people. “She has an interview at a news

station in fifteen minutes. I have to take her.”

One of my deputy campaign managers passes out business cards to everyone who wants one.

Lexi steers me toward the waiting campaign bus.

“What’s up?” I ask her as soon as we step on and the driver closes the doors.

“I got a call from a TV station manager in Springfield. He wants to know if you’re

interested in doing a Q&A thing with Titan and Sonny Solomon Wednesday evening.”

“Wednesday?” I arch my brows. “Yikes. That’s tomorrow. Not much prep time.”

“I know. I think he wants to capitalize on Titan’s announcement. I can tell him no.”

I shake my head. “No, I’m in. I’d like to size Jude Titan up in person.”

“I’ll let the manager know.”

The bus starts up, and we head toward the news station. Claire, another of my staffers, kneels

in front of me and powders my nose.

“I’m sweating like a whore in church,” I say to her. “That gym wasn’t air-conditioned.”

“We’ll get you all fixed up,” Claire says. “Want me to pull up your hair to help cool you off?”

“That would be great,” I say, reaching over to open the fridge from my seat. “You want a water?”

“Sure.”

I take two bottles out and hand her one. As I open mine and take a drink, I’m thinking about

meeting Jude tomorrow. I’m eager to find out if his presence is as commanding as it seemed on

TV today. I’m also eager for him to see that I can bust balls with the best of them.

Jude Titan can bring it on.

I’m ready.