Put that away. You two are going to ruin this for me with premature celebration.” Sophia Lamont looked away from the television long enough to glare at her brother, Davey, and best friend, Lily, before returning to the screen.
“It’s in the bag, sis.” David Lamont made a dismissive gesture and started to untwist the wire champagne top.
“Lily, stop him please.” Sophia gripped her phone tightly and moved to the edge of the couch. What was taking so long?
“I’m with Davey on this one, hun. What is your campaign team telling you? I know they’re blowing up your phone since you wouldn’t let them over tonight,” Lily said.
Sophia took a deep breath, put her phone down, and got up from the couch. She pulled the champagne bottle from Davey’s hand before he could pop the cork. “I told you when I invited you over, we do not celebrate until every local network has called the race and I’ve received a concession phone call. Doesn’t matter what anyone else is telling me. Those are my rules.”
The idea of celebrating a success only to have it ripped away was almost enough to send her into a full panic attack.
“Fine, but I’m popping the top on this once you lighten up and realize you’re going to make history tonight. I always knew you were going to be the one to make the family proud.” Davey pulled her into a side hug.
“Did I miss the part where you haven’t?” Sophia wriggled out of his embrace as she’d been doing since they were kids.
“A Black man with a criminal record.” He gave her a look. “My trophy case is overflowing.”
Sophia heard the sadness and anger in her brother’s voice. It bubbled through her blood too. She struggled with what to say to relieve some of the pressure, but nothing came to her. It never did.
“That might be all the world bothers to see, but that’s not all you are to me. You’re also a terrible baker, an above-average cellist, and a pain in my ass.” This time she sought out his hug.
“Well, my baby sister is going to fix everything that’s wrong in the world, right, sis? Youngest state congresswoman we’ve ever had? First Black woman ever elected to the statehouse? Superwoman in a suit.”
David’s eyes were glistening. Sophia couldn’t remember ever seeing him cry.
“You know he’s right.” Lily twirled a champagne flute between her fingers. “But I don’t see you rockin’ any type of spandex outfit under those beautiful clothes you pay too much for.”
“I buy these clothes from you.” Sophie swiped the champagne flute from Lily with a laugh and put it with the bottle. “Who’s supposed to help get your business off the ground, if not your best friend?”
“And here I was wondering who’s supposed to make sure you look halfway decent out there setting the world on fire, if not your best friend?”
Davey leaned on the counter and tried again to get a hold of the champagne bottle. “Maybe you should steal that smoking hot social worker’s nickname. The one from the news a while back. What was it?”
“Captain Couture. Focus on the important details, Davey.”
“I remember plenty of important details. She’s also Valencia Blackstone’s sister-in-law.” Davey puffed out his chest.
“Oh, right, I forgot royalty was running in this race too. Do you know if she won?” Lily picked up her phone and started scrolling.
Sophia nodded. She allowed herself a small moment to imagine what victory tonight would feel like. What would it be like to work with someone like Valencia Blackstone if the results held?
“Captain Couture is probably the reason she won. She stood up for Valencia and suddenly people took notice. I wonder if Valencia will be fun to work with or an entitled rich idiot?” Davey grabbed a handful of snacks and popped some in his mouth.
Sophia glanced back over her shoulder at the television. She shoved her hands in her pockets to avoid picking at the fresh polish on her nails. “I have to get elected first.”
Her phone rang just as an announcement flashed on the TV screen. Lily and Davey looked over her shoulder at the number. It was her opponent. She hadn’t expected him to call and concede so quickly, although the results flooding in were almost enough to convince her the story was already written. She wanted to wait to celebrate until she’d been officially elected, but it looked like she already had. She felt a little weak in the knees. This was what she’d wanted since childhood, but it felt surreal all the same. She was about to take her place in history.