Incumbent(26)

“Look at that,” I said with a chuckle. “We made the newspaper. Granted, it’s a few days after the fact, but I’ve always wanted to make the front page.”

“This . . . oh my God. What are people going to think?” Her attention dialed in on the picture, and her shoulders slumped.

“They’re going to think we went to a ballgame on Friday.” I gently snatched the paper out of her hand and tossed it on the table. “It’s a great picture. I can even see that cute little freckle of yours.”

Her expression was distraught, so I placed my hands on her hips and pulled her toward me. Her breathing quickened.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “That was insensitive. I’m used to the press, and my picture popping up here and there. I can assure you, the paparazzi doesn’t follow me around. It’s not like I’m a movie star or something.”

Giving me a woebegone look, she said, “You could have been.”

“If politics don’t work out, I might consider acting.” I gave her a chaste kiss. “Go get ready for work. I’ll drive you.”

“No, you don’t need to—”

I lifted a finger to shush her. “Don’t argue with me. I want to.”

? ? ?

After I dropped Lucy off at the high school, I went to my place to change before I headed to the campaign headquarters for a few quick meetings before heading to Capitol Hill. When I swung my office door open, Ben was waiting for me.

“Seriously, Ben.” I hung my suit jacket on the coat rack and loosened my tie. “Do you have a tracking device on me?”

“No. No tracking device. I saw you pull in.” He studied me with narrowed eyes.

“Okay, what’s up?” I asked as I sat behind my desk. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“We need to go over this month’s agenda.”

“The agenda? That’s it? You aren’t dying to say anything about the picture in the paper?” I didn’t want to poke the bear, but needed to get this out on the table.

He shook his head. “I gave you my opinion on that, so no. Let’s get to business.” He glanced at his planner. “You have a fundraiser dinner this Saturday. I’ve already sent the invitation to Gretchen, so she has all the details.”

“I’m going to ask Lucy to go with me.” When his head jerked up and his surprised gaze met mine, I held up a hand and said, “I’ll let Gretchen know. What’s next?”

He pinned me with a stare, but there was no room for discussion about who would be on my arm, so he dropped it.

“You have a meeting at the veterans’ hospital to discuss their new free clinic for families of vets, and then you have a few meetings with your campaign supporters.” He ran his pen down the list and ticked things off as he went. “That’s it for right now. But you know the closer we get to June, the harder we need to work. even though you’re running unopposed for the Republican ticket, your opposition will do everything in their power to discredit you between June and Election Day.

“Fine, that won’t be an issue.”

Ben stood and walked out. I needed to send Gretchen a text to apologize for any confusion. Then I needed to ask Lucy to go with me. It dawned on me she might not want to go, but if that were the case, I’d go alone.



DRAKE: Hey, sis. You’re off the hook for Saturday night. I’m going to ask Lucy to go.



GRETCHEN: Cool. I thought it was odd when I got the invite from Ben.



DRAKE: He has a way of jumping the gun.



GRETCHEN: OK. I gotta go. Talk to you later.



DRAKE: Bye.





After finishing up at headquarters and attending a few meetings on the Hill, choking down a sandwich between them, I headed for Lucy’s school to pick her up. When I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed Lucy standing on the sidewalk in a group of women. Her body language looked very uncomfortable as one of the women spoke to her, and another held the newspaper in her hand.

I slowed when I saw Mason walk up to them. Relief washed over Lucy’s face; her entire expression and posture changed. He slung his arm around her shoulder, obviously a show of solidarity, and my heart pounded against my ribs.

He was protecting her.

That should be me, I thought, but maybe I’m the one he’s protecting her from.

Not knowing what was going on, I finally pulled up to the curb. The women turned and looked at me. One of them, the one who was talking to Lucy, wiggled her fingers at me in a desperate attempt at a cute wave.

I opened the door to get out, and Mason stepped over to shake my hand.

“Good to see you, Drake.”

“You too.”

I turned to Lucy, and for once I didn’t know what to do. Do I hug her? Every bone in my body wanted to grab her and pull her as close to me as possible, but I refrained.

“Hi, Lucy.” I gave her a friendly smile, and she surprised the shit out of me when she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me.

Then she broke the kiss, craned her head back a touch, and said, “Hi.” Her eyes had a pleading look to them, but I wasn’t sure what she needed from me.

I gave her another squeeze and released her to turn to the three women who were standing there. “Good afternoon, ladies.”