Shit. She was right. I didn’t even think of that.
“I’ll always protect you, Lucy. You don’t just have Mason; you have me too.”
“Thank you.”
“What you said to me tonight . . .”
“Which part?” She yawned. “I’m so sorry. Excuse me.”
“Go to sleep, and we’ll catch up tomorrow.”
“No, wait.” Her voice perked up and tightened. “When I said what?”
“You were falling for me.”
“Oh, that.”
Even though I couldn’t see her, I could tell she was smiling.
“Yes, that.” Knowing she’d never lie, I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you mean it?”
“Every word. I’ll never say something I don’t mean.”
“Me either.” When she yawned again, I said, “Go to sleep.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“Sweet dreams, Lucy.”
“Sweet dreams, Drake.”
• • •
A few days later, I was sitting in my office on Capitol Hill, staring out the window at passing cars. I had a few committee meetings today, and then last on my schedule was a meeting with Ben to go over the final details of the convention prior to the primary.
The last thing I wanted to do was see him. He’d decided to take a short vacation, which I thought was a banner idea.
Our country’s flag was waving in the breeze outside. Anytime I saw our flag or heard our anthem, I was extremely proud. There wasn’t anything I loved more than this country. I glanced around my office, which had been occupied by wise men who came before me. Some had moved back into the private sector, but others had transitioned elsewhere in government after their Senate term ended.
All I wanted was make a difference. That was how I wanted to be remembered—as a politician who ran a clean campaign, a smart race, and who used whatever office I held to benefit others.
There wasn’t anyone who would stop me from reaching my goals. That was why I was thankful for Lucy. She was kind and honest, exactly the type of person I wanted in my life.
When she told me she’d be tied up for the rest of the week in end-of-year meetings, I decided to get as much work done as I could so when she was free, we’d be able to spend time together.
I was going to my parents’ house for dinner tonight. When I talked to my mother earlier and told her Lucy was unavailable, I think she felt sorry for me. But who was I to turn down a meal with my family?
When I pulled up at my parents’ house that night, Gretchen was sitting on the front porch with a glass of wine.
“Hey, sis.”
“Hey, yourself.”
She looked sad, and I swore to myself that if her asshole boyfriend did anything to her, there would be hell to pay.
“What’s wrong?” I took the seat next to her.
“Scott is taking a job in Minnesota for a month.”
“Oh. I thought he did something to you.”
Her eyes practically bugged out of her head. “He did! He’s taking a job halfway across the country away from me and never asked me to come with him. I really don’t think it crossed his mind.” Her voice cracked. “Do you think he has someone else?”
I’ll kill the bastard. “Have you asked him?”
“No, I haven’t. Have you asked Lucy if she’s hooking up on the side?” She brought the glass to her mouth and drained it as if it were Kool-Aid rather than wine.
I took the glass from her hand and set it down on the small table between us. “Yes, I did ask her. Actually, it was one of the first things I asked. The only man she hangs out with is Mason, and he’s more like her brother.”
“I like Mason. He’s a great guy.”
Her eyes glistened, and I was ready to hop in my car and hightail it to Minnesota to kick Scott’s ass if he was two-timing my sister.
“It’s not like Scott isn’t,” she said quickly. “You know how much I care about him. We’ve been together since senior year in college. I just wish he was around more.”
Before she could say any more, Mom called us for dinner. We both stood, and she wiped a tear from her cheek as I grabbed her glass.
“You’re a great woman, Gretchen, and if Scott doesn’t make you happy, then do something about it.” I handed her glass back to her.
“Thank you. Are you happy?” She looked at me with hopeful eyes. “I mean with Lucy. She makes you happy, doesn’t she?”
“She does. Very much so.”
She tilted her head, examining me. “You love her.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve only known each other a few weeks.” But did I?
Gretchen gave me a sad smile. “Just remember, our hearts don’t come with a clock or calendar. Love isn’t a planned event. It just shows up unannounced, even when you don’t want it to.”
Impressed, I stared at my little sister. “Thank you, Yoda.”
“No problem, Obi Wan.” She laughed. “Come on, enough of this mushy stuff. Let’s go eat.”
Was Gretchen right? All I knew was I wanted to know more about Lucy than where she was born and what college she attended.
Conversation was lively around the dinner table, although since it was a Friday, it was a smaller group than what showed up for Sunday dinners. Tonight it was just Gretchen and me with our parents, but we enjoyed ourselves.
When the conversation turned to the Memorial Day weekend and Dane’s golf tournament, they were happy that I asked Lucy to join us.
“Lucy is such a sweet woman.” Mom smiled as she passed a bowl of salad to my father. “We had a wonderful talk the last time she was here.”
“Yes, you two looked cozy in the library.” I said it more as a question than a statement, because I never did find out what they talked about. When I’d asked about it, the only response I’d gotten from Lucy was, “Girl time.” And this time wasn’t any different.
“That poor girl doesn’t have a family. I’m sure you know that, though.” Mom looked at me and my dad, and Gretchen didn’t say a word.
“I don’t know the entire story,” I said, “but you’re right. She said she doesn’t have anyone.”
Gretchen glanced around at us, compassion on her face. “I couldn’t imagine that.”
My father cleared his throat. “I know I’ve only seen you two together that one time, but you seem happy when you’re with her.”
“I am.”
Mom smiled at me, and Gretchen winked from across the table.
It was the truth—I was truly happy, and I had Lucy to thank for that. For once in my life, I was thinking about something else other than my career.
No, not something. Someone.
CHAPTER 13
~ Lucy ~
It had been way too long since I’d seen Drake, over a week, but we were going to rectify that tonight. Just when I became available, he was called out of town for a few days, but tonight he was coming over. I couldn’t wait to see him again.
After I dressed in my best jeans, a cute floral top that dipped low in the front, and my navy sandals to finish off the outfit, I checked myself in the mirror for a final inspection. We were going out to a small Italian restaurant in Herndon that I loved.
When my doorbell rang, I practically pranced across my living room. I swung the door open and Drake scooped me up in his arms to spin me around. I couldn’t contain my giggle.
I finally swatted him on his shoulder. “You’re making me dizzy!”
He chuckled and set me down. “Let me look at you.” He took my hands in his and stretched them out to the sides. “I think you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”
Drake’s deep voice ignited something so deep inside me, I couldn’t help but throw myself at him. Literally. I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Our lips crashed together, and I couldn’t get enough. I was starving for him.