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She followed the couple when they took a right down a hallway that opened up into a decent-sized ballroom It was filled with several dozen white-clothed tables fit to seat eight Each white-draped chair was tied around thered and blue ribbons A bouquet of white floith faint red and blue accents rested in the center of each of the tables A dance floor was coe was constructed directly opposite the entrance with an A banner across the back, two projection screens with the Jefferson-Jackson gala logo on display, and a large wooden podiuuests took their seats

Liz wasn’t sure how Hayden had acquired the ticket, because she wasn’t seated in the back, where the reporters typically sat for press events Not that she orking tonight Well, not exactly She wasn’t carrying around a camera, at least, and the voice recorder was only for extreme circumstances She was there priather information on where she should be the rest of the su specifically about the event

Hayden had handed over the ca, and she had spent all week plotting out her summer classes and the political appearances she would have to attend Hayden had given her a list he had already coala Now that was her job

Her phone vibrated in her purse, and she pulled it out

Have a good time Wish I could be there with you, Hayden said

She sot here, but I’et these tickets?

My s I hope you enjoy it I’ Chapel Hill

She wanted to tell him Chapel Hill missed him too, but really it was all too complicated for her to even insinuate

Bet you’re loving DC, though, she typed Plus, your new job starts Monday

Nothing coh, I’m sure

At least it’s paid

True

Can’t beat Pennsylvania Avenue as far as internships go, Liz told hi into someone

There are better ways to spend your su with her? She never could tell Well, I have to go find oes, and have fun!

Liz stuffed her phone back into her purse, on a high fro Chapel Hill and the paper He was texting her while away Heher palms flat as they slid down the silky material It helped relax her as she searched out her name card When she located the table, she found Hayden’s name instead She wasn’t that surprised since it was so last-minute She was seated in the second row of tables nearest the stage on the right side All in all it was a

Liz placed her clutch on the table next to her nameplate and pulled out her chair Her table was enize any of the names of the people around her She wondered who they were

Her eyes roaures and et to know She wanted to knohere the politicians were going to be, or at least get the in on their events It s easier to plan She had decided to primarily follow the Senatorial race, the House race for her district, the governor’s race, and the local elections in Orange County

The lights flickered in the rooin Individuals congregating together andwith their friends separated to return to their seats Old wealthy white women who seemed to know one another surrounded Liz on all sides They talked incessantly about local politics froo, and Liz tried to keep up as best she could

A man in a black suit and blue tie walked purposefully onto the stage, interrupting their conversation The room fell quiet as they watched him He adjusted the microphone on the podiuentleraying hair His square, wrinkled face was drawn and haggard

Liz recognized him as Senator Mark Abbot He had already announced his retire for contention in the pri themselves to be viable nominees