Incumbent(16)

My chest swelled a little at her praise. “So you think I’m one of the best senators?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think I’d make a good president?”

“No, I think you’d make a great one.”

“Does that mean I’m a smart man and make intelligent and rational decisions?”

She nodded and finally gave me a shy smile before she said, “Yes, of course.”

“Good. So it’s settled.”

I crossed my arms in front of me as I waited for it to click with her. When she continued to squint at me in confusion, I helped her along.

“I’m a smart man, and you agreed that I make rational decisions. So I’m deciding that you need to give us a chance. If you disagree with me, then you’re reneging on everything you just said.”

She shook her head. “That’s not fair.”

“But it’s true. Just give us a chance; that’s all I’m asking. Whatever it is you think will hurt me, I promise you, it won’t.”

I stood up. “Coffee?”

She nodded. We both took our coffee black and sat back down. For a moment, the only sounds were our breathing and the slight slurp as we sipped.

“So,” she said, peering at me over the rim of her coffee cup, “I read that Grissett is the Democrats’ frontrunner.”

I frowned. “He is.” The mere mention of that man’s name irritated me. I knew he would probably be my opposition, but he was the type of politician that gave us all a bad name.

Her expression turned thoughtful. “Of all the candidates, I’m surprised he’s leading in the polls. He seems like an ass.”

When Lucy wrinkled her nose in distaste, I chuckled. “See? We do have the same views.”

“I suppose we do,” she said, giving me a slight smile, “when it comes to certain things.”

Relieved that she seemed to be relaxing again, I decided not to push my luck. Getting to know Lucy and gain her trust was going to take time and patience, it seemed. Something had obviously happened to her that kept her from feeling comfortable with me. Whatever it was, I wanted to help her get over it, because I intended to spend a lot of time with her.

“It’s late,” I said reluctantly. “I should be going.”

We walked to her front door and before I left, I took her face in my hands. She looked up at me, her eyes wide as I rested my thumbs on her temples and brought my lips close to hers. I could feel her heart rate increase beneath my fingertips, and her breathing changed. But it wasn’t until her lips parted that I kissed her.

My hopes rose as she reciprocated, resting her hands on my biceps. She didn’t push me away. Instead, she held on tight as I gave her an easy good-night kiss.

“Good night, Lucy.”

The door closed behind me, and as I headed to my car, my thoughts spun. I couldn’t wrap my head around why she didn’t feel as if she was good enough for me. Lucy was beautiful, intelligent, funny, and sexy as hell. It amazed me to think she thought she might hurt me in some way.

It was then and there I vowed to make sure she changed her mind. I’d make her realize she wasn’t only good enough for me, but was perfect.





Chapter 5


Lucy



Mason met me for our morning coffee and chat in the teachers’ lounge. The room was dreary, so beige and boring. The only color was that of the American flag, which naturally reminded me of a particular senator.

“Good morning, Mason.” I smiled and plopped down next to him at one of the two round tables in the lounge, handing him the latte I’d bought him at Starbucks on the way in.

“Thank you for this.” He took a sip and studied me over his cup. “You seem very chipper this morning. Did you have a good time after I left yesterday?”

“Thanks for a fun day. I had a blast.” I smiled, hoping he would drop it, but knowing he wouldn’t. “Mud and all.”

“That’s not what I asked,” he said, pinning me with a meaningful look. “I meant afterward, with Drake.”

Two teachers came in with one of the secretaries and sat at the table next to us, but not before ogling my coffee partner.

I leaned across the table. “They want you,” I said in a low voice with a wink, and he gave them a quick glance before dismissing my comment.

Marie, the music teacher, looked brightly at me from the next table. “Lucy, I saw Senator Prescott in your room the other day. Do you think he’d come into my class?” She winked. “I bet he has a great instrument.”

The other teachers snickered, and I pressed my lips together to hold back a snarky retort for the teachers acting no older than the students they taught.

Smiling sweetly, I said, “I really wouldn’t know, but I’m sure if you contact his office, they could help you.”

And so it began. This was exactly what I’d been afraid of—unwanted attention.

Longing for the sanctuary of my classroom, I stood and headed for the door. Mason followed and slipped my heavy tote bag off my shoulder so he could carry it for me.

Since I taught history and government, the walls of my classroom were plastered with maps and pictures of past presidents. Scanning them as I made my way to my desk, I thought about how bizarre and incredibly wonderful it would be to have Drake’s picture hanging on my wall one day.