I was early, so I sat at my desk, which was much smaller and less ostentatious than the one in my office on Capitol Hill, and went over my campaign schedule for the coming week. Ben had a packed schedule for me; apparently he didn’t get the hint when I told him I didn’t want to go full throttle into campaign mode until after the primary in June.
But true to his nature, Ben had a different plan. His heart was in the right place since my most likely opponent and the current forerunner on the Democratic ticket, Fredrik Grissett, was making the rounds. Grissett was known to play hardball. He’d toss his own mother under the bus if it meant getting elected.
It didn’t help that our high schools had been rivals. He was the quarterback for their team when we crushed them in the state championship in my senior year. Apparently he still held a grudge; according to Ben, Grissett was going to come after me, no holds barred.
When Ben walked into my office and dropped into the seat opposite my desk, the stormy look on his face gave me an indication of his mood. Frowning at me, he didn’t even say hello before he went on the attack.
“So, when were you going to tell me you went on a date to the Nationals game?”
And that tone of disapproval is exactly why I didn’t tell you, I thought.
“How did you know I did that? Are you having me followed?” I chuckled, but was only half kidding and more than half curious.
“No, but I did watch it on TV. In the sixth inning when the ball was hit to center field, I saw you sitting between Josh and the schoolteacher.” He glared at me. “Do you know how lucky you are that the announcers and the cameraman didn’t realize it was you? You can’t just go on dates without getting a background check.”
My head snapped toward him. “No. No background check. I’ve told you before, I want to be the one to find out about her. Can’t you understand that?”
I clenched my teeth as I bit back my anger. Ben was like a dog with a bone. He’d most likely run a check anyway, if he hadn’t already started.
“Senator, with all due respect, how well do you know her?” When he saw the look on my face, his expression gentled, as well as his tone. “Look, Drake, I know you value your reputation, or you wouldn’t always have Gretchen posing as your date at events. So tell me, why during this election year you want to take a chance?”
Because she’s worth it.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Just for once, let me handle things. What do you think she’s done? Gone to jail?” Knowing he only had my best interest at heart, I took a cleansing breath before adding, “Thank you for your concern, Ben. If I need anything, you’ll be the first to know.”
Ben nodded without saying a word. That was all the confirmation I received, but it was enough for me to know he understood—or he better have.
After we went over the schedule for the coming week, finalizing a few future events at my office and the logistics that went along with them, I headed home.
My brownstone was in the Capitol Hill district, which made my daily commute a breeze. But now that I had an interest in the Northern Virginia area, I wished I’d moved there instead.
At the thought of Lucy, I grabbed my phone and called her. With each unanswered ring, the pounding in my chest strengthened. Her voice was sweet on her voice mail message, and I waited for it to end so I could leave mine.
“Hi, Lucy, it’s Drake. I had a great time at the game, and I hope you did too. Call me when you get a chance.”
I tossed my phone beside me on the couch and leaned my head back, resting as I turned on the TV and tuned it to SportsCenter.
About twenty minutes later and just before the Top 10 Plays segment, my phone rang.
Lucy.
“Hey there,” I said, and instantly second-guessed myself. Who answers the phone like that, you idiot? But when she let out a cute giggle, I mentally sighed in relief.
“Hi, Drake. I meant to call you earlier to thank you for the game last night. I had fun and really enjoyed meeting your family. They’re wonderful.”
Her enthusiasm seemed genuine, and it warmed me from the inside out. Family was the most important thing to me, and if the person I was interested in didn’t like mine, it would be a deal breaker.