Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 108242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“Millie, uh, trying to listen to Owen here.”
“Sorry.” Her grin is almost girlish. “I’ve heard this speech a dozen times, so I know it by heart. He’s been rehearsing it since he woke up.”
“If it goes over well, he knows we’ll reuse it about a hundred times in some form or fashion between now and November.”
“I know it’s tempting to dwell on the past,” Owen says from the stage, looking handsome in his tuxedo, that one rebellious lock of blond hair breaking from the rest, just like his brother’s.
“But we still have the future,” Millie whispers along with him to finish the line, winking at me. “And we still have each other.”
I grin at her and discreetly pull my phone from my evening clutch to make a note of things I need to address with Owen later on the ride home. A message notification grabs my attention before I can start the note.
King: You look beautiful tonight.
I changed his contact name to King just to be safe. I shift the phone under the tablecloth to keep my reply discreet.
Me: You have no idea how I look.
King: That so?
He sends over a picture of me standing with Owen at the bar talking to a Baltimore businessman who consistently supports the campaign. My hair is in a chignon, and my red evening dress looks like it was poured onto me. The red matte lipstick stretches with my smile.
Me: How’d you get this? Spies? We agreed no security. Bad enough you gave me jewelry to transmit my every move.
KING: Not security. My sister-in-law.
I turn to scold Millie, but now she’s tuned in to the speech and watches her husband, the look in her eyes titrated with respect and adoration. I’ll tease her about the pic later.
King: I’m done here in Palo Alto earlier than expected. I’m already on the flight and on my way home to you.
My heart starts triple-timing to a raunchy little tune. We’ll be home in an hour, and I can actually sleep in Maxim’s arms tonight.
Me: Oh! Make sure to use the rear entrance.
I’ve cracked down on the discretion. Us being seen in the same general area could be easily explained, but some snoop snapping photos of him coming and going regularly from my apartment building would be a problem, especially after this goodwill media tour raised his profile even that much more. He wasn’t happy about the new “rear entry” policy, but at least it’s led to some good anal jokes.
King: As long as I get that “back door” access we discussed at some point.
Me: Um…it’s up for negotiation. So what changed? I thought you were there till next week.
King: I asked Jin Lei to expedite meetings so I could take advantage of you being in DC for a few days.
Me: Lawd! She probably thinks I’m going to ruin your business.
King: She probably thinks your pussy is lined with gold.
Me: OMG! I cannot believe you just said that.
King: She’s not wrong…
I’m still not sure if I want to slap him or hump him after that last comment, but there’s no time to reply because everyone stands and applauds as Owen leaves the stage.
“Let’s get out of here as soon as possible,” Millie says from the corner of her mouth. “O’s got his car, so we don’t have to wait.”
Owen is notoriously accessible, always taking “one last” selfie or answering one more question. Millicent and I rode here together since Owen came straight from a committee meeting and met us here.
“I was supposed to go over a few things with him on the ride home,” I say, “but he looks as tired as I am. Maybe it can wait till the morning.”
“The nanny’s been with Darcy and Elijah all day.” Millicent glances at her watch. “I’d like to send her home.”
“I’m all for a quick exit.” I glance down at my phone, at Maxim’s last text, before tucking it back into my evening bag. “The faster the better.”
Owen’s listening intently to an older woman asking about the future of Social Security when Millie approaches.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she says, smiling kindly at the woman. “But I’m going to start back home, O, for the kids.”
“Of course,” Owen says. “You still need to chat, Lennix?”
“I don’t think so,” I say. “My car’s at your place, so I’ll catch a ride with Millie and head on home. We can touch base tomorrow.”
“Good. Get some rest,” he says, looking back to Millie. “You take Kevin and I’ll keep Bob. I’m right behind you.”
She reaches up to kiss his cheek and gives the woman a parting smile, and we head toward her car.
“Now we can talk about your secret relationship with my brother-in-law,” she says.
I glance around to see who’s within earshot. “Um, yeah, and maybe we can discuss the ins and outs of what it means to be secret while we’re at it.”