“You’re better at this than I am,” she said matter-of-factly. “With me, it’s training and experience, but you’re ahead in terms of instincts and the way you relate to people.”

He ducked his head, embarrassed but pleased. “I can’t get used to you randomly saying nice things about me.”

“You deserve only the best. Do you mind if I shower?” She kissed him lightly on the lips after he shook his head.

As Leanne headed to the bathroom, her phone vibrated on the kitchen counter. He picked it up to see if it was urgent, possibly related to the campaign, and a message from Junie popped on the lock screen. He didn’t set out to read it, but the message practically leaped out at him:

We need to talk. It’s about your father. Lunch tomorrow?

While he didn’t know all his wife’s secrets, he understood she had a complicated relationship with her mother and that she’d had a rough time growing up, complete with a bunch of stepfathers. Wonder which one this is about, or if it’s about her biological dad? Whatever bomb Junie was about to drop, it would likely put Leanne on her ass when she could least afford to be distracted.

He had Junie’s number in his own cell, and he knew the code to unlock Leanne’s phone from watching her. Maybe he shouldn’t do this—No, fuck it. I’ll protect her even from her own parents if I have to. Quickly, he keyed Leanne’s pin and deleted the message from Junie, then he texted his mother-in-law from his own cell.

Leanne is busy with the election. Will you talk to me first? I’ll help you break the news, whatever it is, but let’s time it for when it won’t mess with her head.

Within five minutes, he had a reply from Junie. Sorry. This is why I get on LeLe’s nerves. I have something to get off my chest, but I didn’t consider her feelings. She’s lucky to have you.

At least she’s capable of realizing that. His own parents seemed to have no sense that they ever did anything wrong. To the best of Trev’s recollection, Wade had never once apologized, not even when he laid into Trev for something he didn’t do.

Junie: Lunch tomorrow then?

Trev: Sounds good.

She sent the time and place, leaving him to wonder what terrible revelation Junie was about to dump on Leanne this time.

Whatever it is, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.

Chapter 18

The next day was jam-packed.

Leanne campaigned nonstop, starting with a chat at the coffee klatch. More than half of the gathered seniors were already on her team, but she reinforced the message by stopping in personally with a huge assortment of goodies from Sugar Daddy’s.