I’d apparently offended him, but it wasn’t intentional; I was simply being practical. We sat down and I stared at the cheesy pie in front of us, and my once-hungry stomach now felt full, even though I hadn’t taken one bite.
“I’m sorry,” I said with a sigh. “I hope you’re not upset with me.”
Drake leaned forward to reach across the table and take my hands in his. “With this being an election year, I’ll be campaigning pretty hard after the primary, and my days will be planned for me. But from now until June is my downtime, and I’d really love to spend it getting to know you better. You intrigue me.”
Stroking his thumb over my knuckles, he added, “I know meeting someone’s family isn’t a normal first date, but the Prescotts are a laid-back bunch, and we don’t bite. But I understand if you don’t want to go.”
Trying to ignore the tingles his touch ignited, I said, “It’s not that I don’t want to go. I’d like to get to know you too.”
He fascinated me, not just because he was a senator, but because he wasn’t like any man I’d ever met. On the other hand, I’d known him less than a day, and common sense told me to be wary and take things slowly. Although my mind waged an inner battle with itself, overall I was optimistic, and I hadn’t felt that way in over a decade.
His gaze hopeful but his tone firm, he said, “So it’s settled. You’ll come?”
I nodded, and butterflies filled my stomach.
• • •
Did I even sleep? All I did was toss and turn when I went to bed after Drake left. Thoughts of him and what it would mean to be with him plagued me, twisting my insides into a tight knot.
What was I thinking when I let him kiss me? Considering how my body had responded to him so immediately, it was crazy for me to do.
I sighed and rolled over, hugging my pillow. Staring at my cell phone, I decided to cancel. I should have stuck with my first instinct and declined his offer. Now I was going to look like a fool, but I had no choice.
LUCY: Hi. Thanks again for yesterday, but I need to cancel going with you today.
I stared at the words and although it saddened me a bit, the knot in my stomach began to loosen, so I sent it.
DRAKE: That’s disappointing. Anything I can say to change your mind?
LUCY: No, but thank you for the invitation.
DRAKE: Are you okay?
Was I? No. I was conflicted and restless, but I decided to keep that to myself.
LUCY: Yes, I’m fine. Have fun with your family.
I went into the kitchen for some much-needed coffee and to read the Post. The political section was naturally my favorite. When I saw an article about the two Democratic candidates running in their primary, I didn’t know both, but I did recognize one of them, Fredrik Grissett. He was known for fighting dirty and going for the jugular of his opponents. If memory served, when he ran for mayor, his opponent likened him to an MMA fighter.
The thought of someone going after Drake sent chills up and down my spine. I wouldn’t even run for a spot on the school board for fear of someone doing too much digging in my past or making up vile stories about me. How these politicians handled the scrutiny and mud-raking was beyond me.
I finished grading the few papers I had left and decided to look over the ones Drake had graded. I couldn’t contain the smile that took over my face when I read some of his comments in the margins. He cited laws that I hadn’t even thought of to help my students understand certain details they had overlooked. He didn’t lower the grade on their papers, which was good, since some of the cases I hadn’t even heard of, but his explanations were eye-opening.
After I had showered, I called Mason to tell him I turned Drake down.
“Lucy, did he do something?” His tone was overprotective. Mason might not be my brother, but sometimes he acted like it.
I sighed. “I feel like an idiot. But my nerves and skepticism got the best of me.” I flopped down on the couch. “He was so wonderful too. You should see the way he graded the papers. If politics didn’t work out, he could teach, but I have a feeling his political aspirations will come to fruition. He’s so diplomatic.”
“Sounds like someone is going to regret not going with him today.”
Mason’s playful singsong tone didn’t make me feel any better. That was one word I didn’t want in my vocabulary—regret. All I had as a teenager were regrets, and on my nineteenth birthday, I’d vowed not to have any more. Apparently my ten-year run had come to an end, but the only reason I regretted saying no was because I wouldn’t be hanging out with Drake today.
When I didn’t respond, Mason asked, “What are you going to do all day?”
“I don’t have any plans. Maybe I’ll read.”
“Let’s go do something. Get your nose out of a book for a bit and give your eyes a rest. I’ll think of something and come pick you up. I’ll be there around noon.”
Maybe if I spent the day with Mason, I wouldn’t be wondering what I was missing out on at the barbecue. So I agreed, and spent the rest of the morning catching up on the news.
Just before noon, I threw on a pair of jeans and a cute top. After I grabbed my denim jacket, I stepped outside to wait for him.
The scent of budding flowers, cherry blossoms, and the remnants of rain lingered in the air. This was my favorite time of year. It wasn’t smoldering hot yet, and the humidity was low and bearable. The foliage around my home had new buds sprouting, and the daffodils’ yellow blooms were so cheerful, reminding me of sunshine.
Mason rolled up in his Jeep. The top was down and the music blared, which he lowered to a bearable level as I buckled myself in.
“So, where to?” I asked.
“We’re going four-wheeling. It’ll be fun!” When I gaped at him, he shot me a wink. I glanced at my outfit, thinking of going back inside to change, but he shook his head. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”
A short while later we pulled up to a dirt track, riddled with puddles since it had poured rain overnight. I glanced down at my favorite jeans and glared at Mason, who must have read my mind because he just shrugged.
Grinning at me, he said, “Come on. Let’s go have some fun.”
Begrudgingly, I stowed my purse in a locker and headed to the field with Mason, where we rode ATVs for a couple of hours. He was right; I needed this.
We raced up and down hills, and I was having a blast until he decided to abruptly turn. I slammed on the brakes and my vehicle slid, the tires kicking up mud all over me before the engine stalled. If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet with a face guard, my mouth would have been filled with dirt and muck when I opened it to scream.
Mason tugged off his helmet and howled out a belly laugh at the sight of me.
I yanked off my helmet and narrowed my eyes at him. “You did that on purpose.” Shaking my head, I swiped at the mud caking my jeans, but only succeeded in making it worse.
He held a hand on his stomach as he tried to regain his composure. “Can you start it?”
When I turned the key, the engine just sputtered. Frustrated, I ran my tongue over my teeth. “It’s dead.”
He slid forward on his seat. “Hop on. I’ll take us back, and someone can come out here to pick it up.”
I swung my leg over and wrapped my arms around his muscular midsection, but it didn’t give me a thrill. Mason was a great-looking guy, but he was like the brother I never had, so there was no attraction between us. We might play the doting boyfriend or girlfriend role when someone came on to us and we didn’t want to be bothered, but that happened more often with him than me.
By the time we made it back to my apartment, our clothes were practically covered in mud stains. If I weren’t so annoyed at my jeans being ruined, I might have been able to look on the bright side. After all, I’d just saved money on having a mud bath at a spa, because I was doused from head to toe.
Mason’s hearty laugh as he picked grass out of my hair didn’t amuse me. All I could do was shake my head at him.
“I’m going to go shower. Are you staying or leaving?”
He raked a hand through his hair, which didn’t look as bad as mine, but it was still dirty. “Can I jump in the shower first since I’m quicker? Then I’ll order some food while you’re showering.”
The sound of my stomach rumbling resounded in the room. “Fine, but hurry. I’m gross, and I’m sure my skin is ready to flake off.”
When I heard the shower turn on, I went into my room to peel off my muddy clothes and slip into my robe. While I waited, I sat on the bed and glanced around my room. My bookshelf was full of historical novels and reference books, and my attention stalled on a picture I’d taken of the White House.
I couldn’t get in for a tour, but I’d leaned through the wrought-iron fence and taken a snapshot of the beautiful home on Pennsylvania Avenue. It had inspired me to think of the men and women who’d walked those halls, making crucial decisions regarding our country, and had raised their families there.
Of course, my thoughts went to Drake, and how prestigious and presidential he appeared. I could envision him sitting in the Oval Office, signing bills and meeting with dignitaries.
“Shower is yours,” Mason bellowed from down the hall. At least he knew what the plan was today and had brought a change of clothes for himself.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself as I made my way to the bathroom. Thoughts of a hot senator continued to invade my mind, and I tingled at the thought of him.
After stepping into the steaming spray, I leaned my forehead against the cold tile. Drake was everything I’d ever wanted in a man—smart, gorgeous, driven, and grounded. But it wasn’t meant to be. Someone like him could never be serious about a nobody like me; it didn’t happen outside of fairy tales.
A sigh escaped me as I pulled debris from my hair and began to wash my body.
After I was back to looking like a human rather than a piece of clay, I stepped out of the shower and dressed in sweatpants and a Northern Ridge T-shirt. The doorbell rang as I was blow-drying my hair.
“Mason,” I called out, “can you get that? It’s probably the delivery guy.”
I tipped my head over and quickly ran the blow dryer over my hair another minute. When it was mostly dry, I stepped into the living room and stopped dead in my tracks. Drake was standing in my doorway, holding a bag. My heart pounded as our eyes met.
Mason turned around and when he spotted me rooted to my carpet, he shrugged. “It isn’t the delivery guy.”
“I see that. Thank you.” I took a step toward them. “Drake, this is Mason. Mace, this is—”
He reached out and offered his hand to Drake. “I know who he is, Lucy.” They shook hands, and Mason laughed. “It’s good to meet you, Senator Prescott.”
Drake smiled. “Please, it’s just Drake, and it’s nice to meet you too.” Mason stepped aside to let him come in, and Drake stopped in front of me. “Hi, Lucy.”
When he said my name, an odd feeling passed over me. Not attraction or excitement; instead I felt oddly protected and safe.
When the smell of delicious food emanating from the bag he held gained my attention, I tilted my head at him in question.
“I brought you some dinner. It’s from my brother’s house. But I don’t want to intrude.” Drake’s brows lowered a fraction as he looked from me to Mason. Worry lines formed on his forehead.
“You’re not intruding. I just didn’t expect you.” I took the bag from his hand and unrolled the top to inhale the delicious aroma. “This smells wonderful. Thank you.”
My doorbell rang, and an awkward silence fell over us until Mason piped up.
“That must be my dinner. Lucy, I’m going to take the food we ordered to my place since you’re all set.” He leaned over and gave me a chaste peck on the cheek before he turned to Drake, who observed him carefully. “Very pleased to meet you, Drake.”
And just like that, Drake and I were alone once again.
Chapter 4
~ Drake ~
Lucy had told me she didn’t have a boyfriend. Did she lie?
Mason took off, leaving us alone, and my chest tightened as I turned to her. “So, you had a good day?” My pulse quickened when her eyes widened.
“Yes, thank you. Did you?”
Dressed casually in sweatpants and a T-shirt, she walked into the kitchen and placed the bag on the table. Today her auburn hair was loose, rather than in the bun she was wearing yesterday, and I wanted to plunge my fingers into its silky softness, then pull her close and . . .
Realizing she’d just asked me a question, I refocused on her. “I did, but I always do when I’m with my family.”
That was the truth. My family loved being together, and our Sunday dinners were something we all looked forward to. None of us missed one if we could help it.
She smiled. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” I paced her living room and a muscle in my jaw ticked as Lucy strolled toward me. “So, he’s a friend?”
“Yes, he’s my best friend, my only friend. We met in college.” She sat on the couch, tucking her legs underneath her like a teenager. Her eyes closed briefly as she continued. “I was alone before I met Mason. Yes, I had a roommate, but we were more acquaintances than friends, which was fine with me.”
She opened her eyes and looked at me. “One day I was heading to the library, and a group of guys were playing soccer in the quad. All of a sudden, the ball whizzed toward me and hit me in the leg. It startled me, so I dropped my books on the sidewalk. One of the soccer players ran up and asked if I was okay before he bent down to help me pick up my books.”
A smile brightened her face when she added, “There was something kind in his eyes. He ended up tossing the ball to his friends and then walked me to the library. That guy was Mason, and the rest is history.”
Relief washed through me, mixed with a twinge of envy. If Lucy and Mason really were just friends, I probably didn’t have anything to worry about. But still, it bothered me that she’d chosen to spend today with him rather than with me.
“I’d like to be your friend. I thought I made that pretty clear yesterday.” I sank into the cushion next to her, wanting to make light of it, but couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you cancel on me today?”
She reached up to twist a strand of her hair as she took a deep breath. “I panicked.” She lowered her gaze, and as I reached out to take her hand in mine, she looked at me with sad eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. But why did you panic?”
She shrugged. “Because you’re you and I’m me.”
“Yes, we’re different, but I still don’t understand.” Squeezing her hand, I added, “That’s the part I like.”
She shook her head and slipped her hand from mine. “You’re Senator Drake Prescott and I’m Lucy Washburn, a high school teacher. Our lives are so completely different. You spend your day reviewing laws and wanting to make our country a better place, and I spend my day teaching teenagers about what you and other politicians do for a living.”
“Exactly,” I said with a grin, “so our worlds aren’t that different, if you think about it. Without people like you reminding our youth about the importance of being politically aware and voting, what I do would be useless.” A smile appeared as she studied me, and I reached out to gently touch her cheek. “I’m no more important than you are, and all I wanted was to spend the day with you today.”
“I’m sorry; I just didn’t know what to do. Your presence is daunting.”
“I hit you with a lot yesterday because I’m attracted to you, and I don’t have a lot of time. But I’m not going to tell you I wasn’t disappointed when you didn’t join me today, because I was.” I leaned a bit closer, and the scent of the strawberry-scented shampoo from her damp hair invaded my senses. “So, about Mason . . .”
A genuine smile stretched across her face at the sound of his name, making my jaw clench. Not because they were best friends, but
because the mere mention of his name could evoke such a response. I wasn’t normally a jealous person, but something about this girl made me a little territorial. I wanted her all to myself, and if that made me selfish, then so be it.
“We went to college together. Then we got a job in the same school.” She paused and I nodded, urging her to continue. “There are times I don’t know what I’d do without him, but he’s just a friend.”
“Where did you go to college?”
“JMU.” She smiled. “I loved it there.”
“So you grew up in Virginia?”
Her face paled, which surprised me. It was an innocent, getting-to-know-you type of question. What had made her react so strongly?
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I’m not from Virginia.” She glanced away. “I grew up far away from here. Are you from Virginia?”
“Born and raised.”
At that, her stomach rumbled, and she quickly covered it with her hand.
“Come on, let’s eat,” I said. “I interrupted your dinner plans.”
I stood up and pulled her off the couch. We went into the kitchen, and I opened up the bag of food I’d brought from my brother’s house.
“I’ll grab plates.” She finally gave me the easy smile I’d been waiting for. “I hope you brought enough for two.”
• • •
After we had eaten, Lucy leaned back and rubbed her slim stomach, making me wish those were my hands on her skin.
“Wow, those were the best ribs I’ve ever had. Your brother is an excellent cook.”
“That he is. How about we go for a walk? It’s a beautiful night.”
Lucy stood and cleared the table, and placed our plates in the dishwasher. “I think a walk sounds great. Give me a minute.”
When she walked out of the room and came back with her keys in hand, I could smell the mint on her breath. Fresh breath . . . she must have brushed her teeth. I took that as a promising sign of what was to come.
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