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.”