by Alina Jacobs
“You just poured gasoline everywhere and handed Meg a match.” Garrett glared at me. “Have fun losing the debate.”
Garrett was wrong. I wasn’t going to lose the debate. I didn’t lose things, except for Meg. I had lost Meg, temporarily of course, and yeah, I might have lost a few battles against my father, but I would win the war.
Just because Meg had the Holbrooks working with her didn’t mean she would win. I was a Svensson, and I had a huge war chest. Collectively, my brothers and I were worth more than the Holbrook cousins and their parents.
Fucking Walter. I still was furious he had stolen my company. I fumed as I headed to city hall.
I was the last of the debaters to arrive through a side entrance to the staging area for the debate. Ida was there wearing a sparkly orange pantsuit. Meg was in her standard, no-nonsense skirt, blouse, and blazer. I, meanwhile, had on a bespoke suit, a two-million-dollar watch, and ten-thousand-dollar cuff links. Each.
“Ladies,” I purred.
“I ought to just hand you a whip and a ball gag and call it an evening!” Ida said cheerfully when she saw me.
“Now, Ida,” Edna scolded her sister. “You cannot use language like that on stage. Honestly, I have no idea why you are even running for mayor. You’re going to be in charge of this town over my dead body.”
“Jeez, older sisters!” Ida rolled her eyes dramatically. “Chill. I’m just down with what all the kids are doing, you know, trying to keep it real and get young people involved in civics.”
“Do not,” Edna said slowly, and even I stood up straighter when she used her judge voice, “embarrass me.”
Ida stuck out her tongue.
“I trust you all know the rules of debate. Ida, I know you don’t, and I know you didn’t read the packet.” Edna checked her watch. “Let’s get this over with.”
The judge stepped onto the stage and announced us. I grinned as I followed Meg and Ida out, waving to the crowd. My brothers were in the audience and were giving me a standing ovation. The townspeople were eating and drinking the refreshments my campaign had supplied.
This was my evening.
Until I saw him.
There, in the front row, was Walter fucking Holbrook.
19
Meghan
Kate gave me a thumbs-up. I tried to project calm and not seem nervous. These weren’t strangers—these were friends, neighbors, and fellow Harrogate citizens. Shoot, I practically knew everyone in the audience by name.
Still, my job was on the line. The threat of humiliation was very real as I contemplated losing the election for a job I had basically been doing the past few years for free.
And to lose to Hunter? Unbearable. Forget losing to Karen, who was sitting in the second row. She shot me a triumphant look.
I glanced over at Hunter. He was in his full-on egotistical alpha-male billionaire mode. And I hated it. You’re going down.
“First question, candidates,” Edna said after quieting the crowd. “Now, keep in mind these are questions I wrote. We will have separate sessions later where it will be open forum for the townspeople to ask questions.” She adjusted her glasses. “What would you do in the first ninety days after being elected? Deputy Mayor, you will answer this question first, then Hunter and Ida, you have opportunities to rebut.”
“I’ve been deputy mayor for five years, and in that time, my days included meeting with citizens, working with developers, and helping to make Harrogate a better place for all residents,” I said, trying to project authoritative calm. “My first ninety days on the job as mayor will look like the last five years. There won’t be a dramatic transition period that will affect our small-town way of life. Things will chug along as they always have—smoothly.” I didn’t feel like my answer was that great. Karen had that shit-eating grin on her face, making me feel even less sure of my response.
“Hunter, your rebuttal.”
“Just to be clear, what Meg is telling you all,” Hunter said, “is that she is just going to keep coasting and not do any evaluation of how the town should be run differently. Unlike Meg, when I become mayor, there will be a reckoning. During the last few years, there have been a number of laws and initiatives passed that people in this town do not agree with. Change will be coming with my administration.”
“Ida,” Edna said warily.
The older woman cleared her throat. “Neither of these two kids are going to do anything that impacts the life of the everyday small-town residents. It’s going to be more of the same with Hunter and Meg—unlike if I’m mayor. First things first, on day one, we’re going to throw the biggest nude party ever on Main Street. We’re only serving healthy food, and it will be a festival to celebrate the connection of our bodies to the local environment.”
Edna muttered a curse under her breath. “Meg, your response?”
“Of course Ida and Hunter are promising you all change and parties.” I stared down the crowd. “The reality is that the office of the mayor needs to be responsible with your tax dollars and also must support laws and initiatives that preserve our small-town way of life. If Hunter had his way, Main Street would be bulldozed and turned into a knockoff Manhattan.”
Allie shot me a thumbs-up. Several people in the audience were nodding enthusiastically.
Hunter scowled. “Objection.”
“Hunter, this is not a courtroom. Next question is yours,” Edna said tartly. “What is more important, acting in response to the will of the people or acting in the way city officials believe is the best course of action?”
“First off, I want to respond to the egregious accusations Meg just made—”
“I don’t know what that word means,” Ida interjected. “Mr. Fancy Pants Billionaire is over here talking down to all us small-towners.”
“Ida,” Edna warned.
Hunter continued. “I have no intention of bulldozing anything. Svensson Investment has partnered on a number of development projects in the city. Many of you live or work in buildings—historic buildings, I might add—which we have poured tens of millions of dollars in to preserve the historic character of our town.”
“I live in one of your buildings,” one woman interrupted, standing up, “and my hot water pressure isn’t hard enough. When I flush the toilet, it’s only a trickle.”
“Yeah!” another guy said, jumping out of his seat. “And the light in my microwave is out.”
“Please talk to the maintenance department of your building,” Hunter said. His voice was smooth, but his right eye twitched in annoyance.
Edna banged the microphone on the table. “This is not a town hall, people! Ida, your rebuttal, please.”
“I didn’t finish my time,” Hunter complained.
“We need to keep this circus train rolling,” Edna said. “Ida?”
“The people will control the government!” she said, hoisting her fist high. The motion caused one of her boobs to pop out of her low-cut suit jacket.
There were screams in the audience, and someone fainted.
“Ida, cover yourself!” Edna hissed.
Instead, Ida pulled the other boob out. “Free the tatas! When I’m mayor, women will be allowed to walk around shirtless!”
Hunter clapped a hand over his eyes.
“Honestly,” I said into the microphone, “as someone who has been dealing with our beloved quirky small-town character on a daily basis, with all due respect, if Hunter can’t handle tonight’s debate, he can’t handle being mayor of Harrogate.”
That line earned me cheers and more dirty looks from Karen.
Edna banged on the table. “Last question because clearly no one is gleaning any benefit from this evening’s debate. Ida, this question is yours, heaven help us. Also, for the love of God, put those away.”
Ida stuffed her boobs back down into her jacket while Edna sighed and read the last question.
“What will be your greatest weakness as mayor and your greatest strength?”
“Let me te
ll you,” Ida said, stabbing a finger at the crowd. “I’m a small business owner in Harrogate. I’ve been here for decades! Born and raised. The fact that I know this town and I know how people here operate makes me perfect for mayor. I’m also an out-of-the-box thinker.” She tapped her head. “You need to be able to think on your feet and come up with new and exciting ideas as mayor. My greatest weakness is that I care too much! I could have been out starting another sex toy business, but no, instead I am bringing my business expertise to the office of the mayor.”
Edna pursed her lips. “That’s hardly a weakness.”
“It is!” Ida insisted. “I’m like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way, unlike these two. Hunter is a corrupt billionaire, and Meg needs to get laid.”
I choked on my water; the liquid spilling on my shirt.
“If Ida has to resort to slander, then I’m sorry to say, but we have all already lost,” Hunter said sagely while I dabbed at my blazer. “My money is my greatest strength. A small town rises or falls on the strength of its investors. My family and I have poured money and sweat equity into Harrogate. Formally another failed, dying, rust belt town, we have turned Harrogate into a central hub for medical technology business. Not only have we invested in our own money, but we have also assisted former Mayor Barry in winning grants, starting job training programs, and winning major infrastructure investments for the town.”
Hunter smiled charmingly and leaned forward. “As far as my greatest weakness, it will probably be keeping my little brothers in line.” One of the younger Svenssons hopped up almost as if on cue, and Hunter scooped him up. “They are a handful.”
That earned him awws from the crowd. His little brother waved and smiled.
“If you want someone fiscally responsible who will increase the tax base of the town and fill the city coffers, vote for me,” Hunter said, setting his brother back down on the ground. “Don’t vote for a woman who had to declare bankruptcy on her sex toy company or for Meg, who just had her car repossessed.”
That fucking asshole.
There were some boos from the crowd. Kate looked at me in concern.
“Yes, my car was repossessed,” I said after the crowd had quieted down. “And why was that? Not because I was bad with money but because the previous mayor, Barry, was terrible with money. Along with burying himself into debt, he also stole my sisters’ and my identities and used them to rack up even more unpaid loans. He didn’t seem to have touched the city’s finances, for which I am grateful, but I have no doubt that had he been here a few months longer, he would have started to embezzle money from the town.”
I looked out over the rapt crowd. “This is why we cannot have people like Hunter in charge. People like him believe that they are above the law. They think that being mayor is just about going to fancy restaurants and stamping their buddies’ development projects. However, there are real people who are impacted by our decisions.”
I stood up straighter. “Now, I’m sure Hunter didn’t mean to make an underhanded comment. I’m a hundred percent sure that someone on his team fed him that information and convinced him that nothing says ‘I’m qualified to represent the great city of Harrogate’ like a dirty, underhanded personal blow.”
Hunter started to protest, but I cut him off.
“After all,” I drawled, “someone as good-looking as he is isn’t going to be smart enough to know better.”
That earned me a laugh from the crowd.
Hunter worked his jaw. “Can I rebut?”
“No,” Edna said. “I need a drink. The debate is over. Reminder, everyone, if you have not registered to vote yet or would like to volunteer to help people to the polls, please sign up at one of the tables in the back.”
“Meg,” Hunter said quietly as I switched off the microphone.
I ignored him in favor of Kate, who skipped up to me in excitement.
“You did so well!” she said while Karen and the Svensson brothers swarmed Hunter.
A tall, blue-eyed man strolled over. He was handsome in a salt-and-pepper way and carried himself with the gravitas of someone secure in the fact that he was one of the richest and most powerful men in the country. “I’m impressed the way you handled yourself, Meghan.”
“Walter wanted to come,” Kate told me excitedly.
“I don’t know if you remember me,” he said. “I believe you were on my divorce case.”
“How have you been holding up?” I asked him, reaching out to rest a hand on his arm. “I know it’s a lot to recover from.”
“Ever since my other three children came back in my life, much better, actually,” he said. “Thank you for asking.”
I smiled up at him.
“You know,” he said, staring at me a little too intensely. “I am involved in the Holbrook Foundation. I know my sister-in-law Nancy has been looking at investing more in small towns. I would love to discuss with you further opportunities for collaborations with the city of Harrogate, maybe over dinner?”
My heart fluttered. It was pretty clear that this wasn’t going to be a strictly business dinner.
I demurred, “I don’t know if I’m actually going to win.”
“You will,” Walter said, still giving me that intense stare that made my stomach flip-flop. “Not only am I writing you a very generous campaign donation check, but your performance tonight let everyone know that you are a caring, intelligent woman.”
Jeez, these billionaires.
“Come out with me.”
Gulp.
“Actually,” I said, resisting the urge to start fanning myself, “I have another appointment.”
“Call me when you have availability,” he replied.
Kate winked at me then followed her boss off.
I tried to calm my nerves. I’d need them tonight for my big appointment.
But as I turned to look for my purse, I met Hunter’s steel-eyed gaze, cold with fury.
20
Hunter
Walter fucking Holbrook was after Meg. And from the way she looked at him, she was into him in a way she wasn’t with all the previous losers she had dated.
Before I could grab her and tell her in no uncertain terms that I would not allow her to be alone with him, the reporters from the Harrogate Chronicle stopped me for an interview. By the time I had answered their questions, Meg had gone.
“He was flirting with her,” I fumed to Remy as we herded the children out to the bus. Of course my other adult-aged brothers were nowhere to be found. They were all out with their girlfriends. That should have been Meg and me, but she was mad at me, and now Walter was circling her.
“Yup,” Remy said, “and she was flirting right back.”
“He’s old, and he’s her best friend’s father-in-law!” I seethed, separating two kids who were fighting over who was going to eat the cookie that they had found on the sidewalk.
The only saving grace when I had given up my billionaire, carefree existence in Manhattan to move back to Harrogate so I could take care of my ever-multiplying younger brothers was that I would be there with Meg. Now Walter was trying to steal her from me, just like he had with my company.
“I won’t stand for it,” I insisted.
“Big words for someone who aired Meg’s dirty laundry at the public debate,” Remy said, frowning.
I scoffed. “I’ll send her flowers. She cannot end up with Walter.” I needed to do opposition research on him, figure out what he was up to. The Holbrooks always had dirt. There was something there I could use to convince Meg that Walter was radioactive.
“Remy, you’re going the wrong way,” I said after he spun the wheel, the bus making a left turn on a main road.
“Nope,” he said. “I promised the kids I’d take them to Costco if they behaved at the debate. And they did great!”
“Did I do good?” Davy asked me, shaking my leg. “I went up when I was supposed to.”
“You did,” I assured the kid. “I’m going to get a huge po
ll boost from you.”
“Archer said I could pick out anything at Costco that I wanted if I did it right!”
“Totally,” I told him absently. My mind was already spinning schemes to keep Meg away from Walter and ideally ruin him and the rest of the Holbrook cousins in the process, though I would settle with Meg accepting my marriage proposal and Walter not earning a wedding invite.
Remy parked the bus in the Costco parking lot. “This is your stop!” he boomed.
I settled in my seat to wait for him to take the kids inside.
Remy looked back at me. “Here’s the Costco card.” He handed me the plastic membership card. I stared at it in horror.
“I’m not taking them in there!”
“I need a nap,” Remy said and pulled his cap down over his eyes and started snoring. I knew he wasn’t faking it because he had learned to sleep anywhere, at any time, in the military.
I muttered a curse.
“Costco! Costco! Costco!” the kids all chanted as they sprinted off the bus.
“You need to walk in an orderly fashion,” I barked. “Two abreast.”
They formed into some semblance of a line, but as soon as we walked into the big box store, they scattered, grabbing carts and racing to pull giant bags of chips, nacho cheese, and nuts off the shelves.
I couldn’t even rely on the teenagers to help me with the younger kids. After they had stolen another of my cars again and promptly wrecked it, I had made them find jobs to work off the damages, and they were off at their various restaurants. I was solely in charge of the younger children.
“Do not buy anything that is not on the pre-approved list,” I yelled at them.
“But my stuff isn’t on the list!” Davy said, bottom lip trembling.
“You can still pick out what you want,” I assured him. He beamed and ran off.
“Mr. Svensson,” an elderly town resident greeted me. “Good showing at the debate tonight!”
“Thank you,” I told the man, giving him a winning smile. “I appreciate all the support.”
