“Absolutely. We’ll pull some clips for social, and the local media will be strong. The president’s team isn’t coming back before Election Day, so we may edge them out here in this county,” Dot said. “We’re banking a lot of early votes.”
“That’s good to hear. We have to win Wisconsin. I don’t see another path without it.” Lopez kept smiling and waving as she and Dot talked. “Ride with me to the airport?”
Dot was thrilled to be asked. “I’d be honored.” She took one last look around the venue and felt a jolt of excitement and purpose. And then she stopped in her tracks.
At the back of the room was Danny Dawson. He was standing there with his tan Carhartt jacket and baseball cap, watching her intently. Their eyes met, and the impact tore through her—the world came roaring back to life in color and sound.
Her heart wanted her feet to run to him, but duty rooted her in place. Lopez’s security detail was trying to usher her out, and Dot had to follow her. She kept Danny’s gaze and put a hand to her heart. She knew that he’d come for her, not for the Democrats’ election rally.
Dot hadn’t seen Danny or returned any of his messages since she saw him with that other woman at Cocoa and Cabernet nearly a month before, though she’d missed him so much. Her stubbornness wasn’t charming—it was pulling her under. And seeing Danny, his dark, sad eyes penetrating her thoughts, crushed her. Her heart had regrown a protective barrier as her brain kept reminding her that soon she’d be back in Manhattan. What was the point of trying to repair her relationship with Danny when she’d just have to say goodbye in a few weeks? Wasn’t it better for both if they just cut their losses now?
Knowing she had to get into the limo with Lopez, she took a deep breath, pulled her eyes from his, and scurried to the awaiting motorcade.
In the car, Dot and Lopez relived some of the highlights from the rally.
“The crowd was great, Dot. Think we’ll get them to the ballot box?”
“I think we’ve got a chance, yes.” Dot was all business, sharp and alert despite seeing Danny at the rally. “We’ll know a lot more in a week. We have a great tracking system for early voting. That way we can focus on the ones who wait to vote until Election Day. The numbers here are pretty good. But don’t worry—we’re not taking anything for granted.”
“That’s a good motto to live by no matter what,” Lopez said. “When it comes to women in politics, well, my experience is that we have to work harder. You can’t rest for even a moment.”
“You seem to have endless energy. What’s your secret?” Dot asked lightly, though she actually was curious.
Lopez looked out the window and waved to some folks walking to their cars, having had their fill of the fair. “Remember when you asked me if I’d ever been in love.”
Dot nodded. “I hope that wasn’t too personal.”
“Not at all.” She turned her gaze back to Dot. “As I said then, I did want to marry. In fact, I’m open to it even now. But one thing I’ve learned is that you shouldn’t measure yourself against anyone else’s choices. I’ve been thinking about you.”
Dot couldn’t believe that Lopez had time to think about her.
“If your dream is to go back to New York, Dot, then do that. But think about whether that’s just the safe choice. All of us need to be willing to take risks. Don’t scurry back to Manhattan if there might be a great chance for you to work in Washington. Follow the option that makes your heart beat a little faster.”
Dot took that in. “You make me feel like maybe I could do it, too. Meaning follow my passion and that everything will work out.”
“Not maybe. You can.”
“How can I thank you?” Dot asked, grateful to have been given such specific guidance for her next steps.
“All I ask is that one day you pass it on to the next generation,” Lopez said, gathering her things to exit the vehicle as they pulled up to the private plane waiting to take her to Detroit for another campaign stop. “Keep the mentoring chain going.”
They got out of the car and Lopez gave Dot a quick hug before turning and bounding up the steps to the awaiting jet. Dot stood on the tarmac and watched Lopez ascend the stairs. Before going inside, she turned back to wave at Dot. “See you soon. Let’s win this!”
Dot gave her a thumbs-up. When the plane’s doors closed, her mind was ping-ponging with thoughts of what her options were after the campaign. Maybe she should more seriously consider going to Washington. What was the worst that could happen?
But try as she might to focus on her career and keep her head in the election game, Dot was distracted. She kept replaying one part of the rally over and over. It was nothing Lopez had said in her speech.
It was when she’d spotted Danny watching her, his eyes on her every move.
Chapter 72
Suddenly, it was the week before Election Day.
“Hi, Mr. Russo!” Dot and Harper got behind Mary to wave hello into her phone. Tony Russo had called to check on his daughter. He was anxious for her return to New York.
“There’s my girls,” he said. “Hey, I just sent some money to Mary for you to buy some Halloween candy for those kids. Don’t get any of those small ones. Go full-size. Give them what they really want.”
“That’s so nice of you, Mr. Russo. I’m not sure their parents will love us for it, but it’ll make for a fun night,” Dot said.