“Don’t apologize. But why did you panic?”
She shrugged. “Because you’re you and I’m me.”
“Yes, we’re different, but I still don’t understand.” Squeezing her hand, I added, “That’s the part I like.”
She shook her head and slipped her hand from mine. “You’re Senator Drake Prescott and I’m Lucy Washburn, a high school teacher. Our lives are so completely different. You spend your day reviewing laws and wanting to make our country a better place, and I spend my day teaching teenagers about what you and other politicians do for a living.”
“Exactly,” I said with a grin, “so our worlds aren’t that different, if you think about it. Without people like you reminding our youth about the importance of being politically aware and voting, what I do would be useless.” A smile appeared as she studied me, and I reached out to gently touch her cheek. “I’m no more important than you are, and all I wanted was to spend the day with you today.”
“I’m sorry; I just didn’t know what to do. Your presence is daunting.”
“I hit you with a lot yesterday because I’m attracted to you, and I don’t have a lot of time. But I’m not going to tell you I wasn’t disappointed when you didn’t join me today, because I was.” I leaned a bit closer, and the scent of the strawberry-scented shampoo from her damp hair invaded my senses. “So, about Mason . . .”
A genuine smile stretched across her face at the sound of his name, making my jaw clench. Not because they were best friends, but because the mere mention of his name could evoke such a response. I wasn’t normally a jealous person, but something about this girl made me a little territorial. I wanted her all to myself, and if that made me selfish, then so be it.
“We went to college together. Then we got a job in the same school.” She paused and I nodded, urging her to continue. “There are times I don’t know what I’d do without him, but he’s just a friend.”
“Where did you go to college?”
“JMU.” She smiled. “I loved it there.”
“So you grew up in Virginia?”
Her face paled, which surprised me. It was an innocent, getting-to-know-you type of question. What had made her react so strongly?
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I’m not from Virginia.” She glanced away. “I grew up far away from here. Are you from Virginia?”
“Born and raised.”
At that, her stomach rumbled, and she quickly covered it with her hand.
“Come on, let’s eat,” I said. “I interrupted your dinner plans.”
I stood up and pulled her off the couch. We went into the kitchen, and I opened up the bag of food I’d brought from my brother’s house.
“I’ll grab plates.” She finally gave me the easy smile I’d been waiting for. “I hope you brought enough for two.”
? ? ?
After we had eaten, Lucy leaned back and rubbed her slim stomach, making me wish those were my hands on her skin.
“Wow, those were the best ribs I’ve ever had. Your brother is an excellent cook.”
“That he is. How about we go for a walk? It’s a beautiful night.”
Lucy stood and cleared the table, and placed our plates in the dishwasher. “I think a walk sounds great. Give me a minute.”
When she walked out of the room and came back with her keys in hand, I could smell the mint on her breath. Fresh breath . . . she must have brushed her teeth. I took that as a promising sign of what was to come.
She pulled a Northern Ridge HS hoodie over her head and smiled. “I’m ready.”
Without giving her the option, I held her hand, which she didn’t seem to mind. “So, tell me about your day.”