Page 78 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

But what if she chooses her dad over me?

It’s a selfish thought, but I can’t help myself. Does she blame me for putting her in this position?

If her dad demands she stop seeing me, will she comply with his wishes?

At the wall, I turn and start another lap.

The town council sit in chairs by the windows. Archer, Collin, and several women I don’t recognize are in the other corner whispering amongst themselves.

The weather turned as I followed the ambulance carrying Zoe and her Dad to the hospital. It’s as if the sky knew sunshine wasn’t appropriate for this afternoon.

Lucky scoots forward in her chair. “Since we’re all here, we need to decide what to do about the mayor.”

“We don’t know what’s going on,” Greyson says.

Lucky gestures toward the security door where we last saw Zoe and Mayor Winslow. “He’s obviously not well.”

Charlotte pats Lucky’s shoulder. “Zoe said he was healing.”

Elsbeth leans past Lucky and meets Charlotte’s eyes. “I don’t trust anything she’s told us.”

“Zoe doesn’t lie. It’s not in her character,” I say.

Paisley flutters her fingers at me. “She told you she was mayor.”

“That was—”

“Exactly like her.” Elsbeth lifts her eyebrow. “They kept secrets from us. Zoe kept secrets from her dad, and that landed him in the hospital again. We need a new mayor.”

“Elections take time to organize,” Jack says.

Bill taps his phone screen. “The regulations require we vote someone from the council in as the interim mayor if the current mayor is incapacitated. This qualifies.”

“I think it should be Lucky.” Elsbeth nudges her friend’s elbow. “She has the most experience running a business, besides Charlotte and Bill, of course, but she’s got more time since she’s a manager and not an owner. Charlotte, don’t you agree?”

Charlotte’s mouth twists. “We’re not that busy, but it’s a lot of extra work. Does anyone else volunteer?”

They glance between each other, but no one else steps forward. Nausea swirls in my gut. “You’re rushing this. Zoe can—”

Charlotte raises her hand. “Mr. Prince, you aren’t a member of the council. Even with all your money, you can’t buy our votes for Zoe. First and foremost, she isn’t a member of the council and is therefore not an eligible candidate. Secondly, she lied to us about her father’s health. That’s not a track record that speaks to high moral character.”

“She was following her dad’s request.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

“What about Archer?” I ask. “He can be mayor.”

Charlotte swivels her head to the group. “Archer, how about it? You feel like being mayor?”

“We’re jumping the gun. We should wait until we hear from the doctors,” Archer says.

“It can’t be Archer because of his conflict of interest as part of the estate renovation.” Greyson shrinks into the collar of his shirt. “Sorry. Lucky’s the only candidate who’s willing.”

Archer scowls.

Charlotte turns to Lucky. “Do you accept the nomination?”

She straightens her posture and shakes her hair over her shoulders. “It would be an honor, ma’am.”