A Political Affair

by Mary Whitney

  “Thanks.” She glanced outside. Despite the car’s dark windows, she saw they were parked a few houses down from her own.

  “You look a lot better,” he said.

  “Yeah, if I looked how I felt, I must’ve been pretty scary.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way.” His brow furrowed. “You just looked ill.”

  “Well, at least I didn’t make a mess in your car. I was worried about that.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “You weren’t?”

  “No. We weren’t driving far. Plus, I witnessed you deposit every last bit of your lunch on those nice people’s rose bushes.” He smirked. “It sounded like you got it all out.”

  “Hey! You said you didn’t mind. What was I supposed to do?”

  “I’m not saying you had a choice. You were really bad off. I’m simply saying those people were unlucky.”

  “Okay. That’s true.”

  “I hope there’s a good rain soon, or they won’t be able to enjoy their garden.”

  Without thinking, she laughed and pushed at his arm. “Now you’re being mean.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s a fact that it smells a little around there right now.”

  “What?” She gave him a good punch.

  “Hey!” He laughed and batted her off. “I believe physical violence against a government official is a federal offense.”

  “I’m only defending myself from your teasing.”

  The two playfully scuffled, until she realized what they were doing. They were touching. His suit coat was wool, but soft, and his hands were warm. When she realized she wanted to touch them more, she froze. His smile faded into a serious stare. The intensity of the moment was unbearable; she couldn’t live in the unknown anymore.

  “Am I crazy?” she asked in a voice that gasped with exasperation. “Or is something happening here? Is there something happening between us?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied slowly. “Something is for me.”

  “And what is it?”

  “Right now, I just wish I wasn’t a senator and you weren’t an intern in my office.”

  His face remained placid and full of honesty. What little resolve she’d had left began slipping away. She kicked herself for giving in but decided to test the waters to see exactly what it was he wanted. “Why is that?”

  “Because I’d really like to ask you out.” A hesitant smile formed again as he said it. “What I don’t know is—if we weren’t who we are—if you’d say yes.”

  She smiled at his answer. No matter how much she wanted to kiss him at that moment, the fact he didn’t try something physical meant a lot. “If things were different, I’d definitely say yes.”

  They shared a quiet smile, though he soon sighed. “Now what?”

  She felt the weight of their circumstance take over the car. The impossibilities of a relationship with him flooded her mind, and she swallowed hard. “Nothing can happen. There’s too much at stake for you. If . . . when it came out . . . you’d have to lie or make up a stupid nondenial denial. I don’t want that to happen to you.”

  “There’s too much at stake for you, as well.” He shook his head. “It can’t happen to you either.”

  Hearing aloud what she’d already told herself for weeks was painful, especially when they’d just admitted how they felt. She grasped for a solution.

  “We could be friends.”

  “We could.” His smile appeared again. “But there are limits on how friendly we can be.”

  “Friendly?” She snorted. “I’d say the limits are pretty obvious, but how long do you think there would be these . . . restrictions?”

  “Well, if Patty had her way, nothing could happen between us until after I win reelection next November and get sworn into office in January. Until then, we can only be friends—in the most platonic sense of the word.”

  “Um, you’ve talked with Patty . . . about me?” She was shocked she’d been a topic of discussion with Patty, who Anne was sure breathed fire.

  “It’s one of the worst downsides of my job. I’ve got to be managed for a lot of things—my work, my schedule. And with my . . . er . . . personal life, I’ve got to be open with Patty and Megan so they’re not blindsided if something comes out. Patty always says, ‘I can’t protect you if I don’t know what to protect you from.’ So yes, they both know something—Megan more than Patty.”

  “Well, Megan’s friendly, but Patty always seems to look at me suspiciously.”

  “Megan likes you. She’s been walking a fine line trying to help me out.”

  “She sounds like a nice sister.” She grimaced, thinking about his other sister. “But Patty’s right. I’d only be trouble for you.”

  “Even if you didn’t work in my office, it would be a problem if it were to come out I was friends with a gorgeous college student.” He smiled and raised his eyebrows.

  Her face warmed hearing the compliment, and she shook her head. “Hardly.”

  “The story would be I’d seduced a pretty young thing. You’d be a joke—not what you really are,” he said with a frown.

  “What’s that?”

  His voice softened. “The clever, funny, and beautiful woman with whom I share so much in common.”

  “Oh, Stephen,” she said under her breath, taking in his sweet words.

  “Not to mention, your father would kill me.” He chuckled.

  “Ha! You don’t know my dad very well. He’d hate you, but he’d kill me. I’d be the one who let him down.”

  “Even worse.” His smile soon disappeared. “And the fact that Dan Langford knows you work in my office is a red flag, too.”

  Anne nodded. Everything he said made sense and only confirmed what she already knew. They were in an impossible situation. When she didn’t speak, he broke the silence.

  “Despite all of that, I don’t want to stop talking to you . . . getting to know you.”

  “Me neither.” She smiled shyly. “It would be nice to continue. Maybe a little frustrating, but—”

  “Only a little frustrating?” He laughed.

  “Okay. More than a little.” She winked. “A lot.”

  Their eyes locked as they shared each other’s thoughts for a moment. She was sure she’d stopped breathing. Oh my God. He’s going to kiss me.

  “You know I want to kiss you right now, don’t you?” he said, arching his brow.

  “Oh, you do, do you?” She giggled nervously.

  “I’m trying to be good.”

  “Yes, we’re in public.” She nodded toward the street.

  “Well, yes, but we’ve also got a lot to think about and more to discuss.” His voice lowered. “And I want to kiss you . . . very much, but not here, not like this.”

  “We’ll see if you get a second chance.”

  “I’ll be happy if I just get to speak to you in private again.” He frowned as he checked his watch. “I’d like to stay and talk with you as long you’ll have me tonight, but I’ve got to leave for Denver in a couple of hours. I’m late actually, and I won’t be back until Tuesday.”

  “Well, have a safe flight.” She smiled, though she was sad their time together was ending. “I’ll see you next week.”

  “Good luck on your test on Saturday. You’ll do great.” He reached for her hand, and after admiring it for a moment, he looked into her eyes. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” She squeezed his strong hand in return and left the car—stunned.

  The next morning the office was shorthanded again, and Anne sat at the reception desk to cover the phones. It was a busy call day, which she hoped would distract her from thoughts of Stephen. But when she had to answer every call with “Good morning, Senator McEvoy’s office,” she was reminded of her predicament.

  Wanting to clear her mind, she decided to spend time at her newfound quiet space on the Senate side of the Hill. Her Fridays always ended early at two o’clock, and she made her way to a small brick structure surrounding a fountain. With
its aged walls and arches, dark green plants, and gurgling water, it felt like a hidden grotto in the middle of a city. When she walked through its gate, she was surprised to find someone else there.

  An older woman sat on one of the benches dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Well dressed in the understated suit of a “lady who lunched,” she bore striking white hair and a lined face which still held the loveliness of its youth. She looked familiar, and Anne guessed she was a senator’s wife upset with her husband. Feeling like she was intruding on a personal matter, Anne turned to leave.

  “No, dear. Don’t worry. Please stay.” The woman’s lips turned up into a smile. “These aren’t tears of sadness—well, maybe a little. I was only remembering how I sat here with my husband. He’s passed away.”

  “Oh, I don’t have to stay. You probably want to be by yourself.”

  “It would be nice to have some company. Not too many people spend any time in this place. It’s called Summerhouse. Did you know that?”

  “I didn’t. What was it used for?”

  “Back when people rode horses it was very popular as a watering hole.”

  “I hadn’t heard the history.” Anne looked around at the rough-hewn stone. “I think it’s beautiful, but I suppose it’s sad the place is so quiet. More people should enjoy it.”

  “I feel the same way.” The woman patted the bench. “Please, come sit here.”

  “Thank you,” Anne said, taking a seat.

  “I’m Lillian McEvoy,” the woman declared with a broad smile. “What’s your name, dear?”

  Chapter 9

  Anne wasn’t sure if she successfully hid her shock as she sat beside Lillian McEvoy. She wasn’t just Stephen’s mother; Lillian McEvoy was the country’s most famous political matriarch—much better known than her senator son. Anne’s own mother and father would be impressed to meet her.

  Anne sat a bit straighter. “My name is Anne Norwood, and actually, I’m interning in Senator McEvoy’s office.”

  “Well, what a coincidence.” Mrs. McEvoy’s face lit up as she turned toward Anne.

  “Yes, it is.” Although she was rattled, Anne maintained a calm smile. “It’s been a great experience so far.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful to hear.” Mrs. McEvoy gave her a once over. “So are you a senior in college or in graduate school?”

  “I’m a senior at Boulder. I’m studying at Georgetown for my final year while I’m interning.”

  “And what do you plan to do next?”

  “Law school, eventually.” She wrinkled her nose. “It sounds boring, doesn’t it?”

  “No, not at all. There’s nothing wrong with being a lawyer.” Mrs. McEvoy cocked her head. “Where in Colorado are you from?”

  “Silverthorne.”

  “Oh, really?” Mrs. McEvoy raised a perfectly penciled eyebrow.

  Anne knew what she was getting at, so she decided to get her family baggage out in the open. “My father is Elton Norwood—the district attorney.”

  “Yes, I know of your family.” Mrs. McEvoy’s voice became cautious. “Your grandfather was a Republican attorney general.”

  “Yes, that’s my grandpa.”

  “So why are you working for my son?” Her tone was one of friendly interrogation, and she didn’t blink.

  Meeting the woman’s steady gaze, Anne held her ground. “Well, I’m a Democrat, despite my family.”

  “What do your parents say to that?” She raised an eyebrow. “Especially your father?”

  “My dad says he has more important things to worry about than where I’m interning my senior year of college. My mom just wants me to be happy.”

  “So you’re the little black sheep of the family?” Without waiting for an answer, she smiled, which put Anne at ease. “I like that.”

  “I guess I am. My brother doesn’t have any interest in politics. He’s in med school—though he is a Republican.”

  After a moment, Mrs. McEvoy brushed some dust off her suit jacket as if she was contemplating something. “Hmmm. Well, your family is known to be moderate—more reasonable than the right wing that’s taken over that party.”

  “Believe me, my dad is plenty conservative, but he’s not a social conservative. He really only cares about crime and overregulation. Oh, and taxes, especially taxes.”

  “Why has he never run for a higher office? A moderate Republican can do quite well in Colorado.”

  “Oh, no.” Anne shook her head. “Neither of my parents wants to be under the microscope of a statewide campaign.”

  “Very smart of them. Things are different today than when Patrick first ran in the sixties. I think Stephen is having a hard time adjusting to the scrutiny.” She regarded Anne again for a moment. “So, what do you think of the new Senator McEvoy?”

  “Um. He’s . . . Senator McEvoy is very nice . . . impressive, really.” She kept her smile frozen. Shit. I almost said Stephen.

  “That’s good to hear. As the only child in the entire McEvoy family interested in elected office, he’s very driven, but he’s still my sweet boy. I’m glad you think he’s a nice person.”

  “He is.” Certain the conversation would only become more uncomfortable, Anne decided it was time to leave.

  “Mrs. McEvoy, it’s been wonderful talking with you. I appreciate you sharing your story.”

  “Please, call me Lillian. I’ve enjoyed our conversation immensely. You cheered me up. I’ll stop by the office one day and say hello.”

  “Thank you. That would be very nice.” But what on earth will Stephen think? I need to get out of here. She looked around the empty benches. “Did you come here alone? Can I walk you somewhere? I’m going to Union Station.”

  “Oh, no, dear. That’s not necessary.” She patted her on the knee. “My driver is waiting in the car nearby. I can make it there myself. Thank you again for a lovely visit. I’m so glad I met you.”

  On Sunday morning, Stephen taped an interview for a news program with the Denver ABC affiliate. The piece was scheduled to play back-to-back with a similar interview featuring Dan Langford. As Patty, Megan, and Stephen exited the elevator of the television station, Dan Langford entered with his campaign manager, Trey Johnson. The two rivals locked eyes for a moment. Stephen cast a quick glance at Megan and Patty to make sure they saw who approached them.

  “Hello, Dan.” In order to take the high road, Stephen was the first to extend his hand. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Yes, you, too,” Langford replied awkwardly.

  Stephen liked that he seemed to have disarmed him. He pushed it further. “Have you met—”

  “Yes, we’ve all met before,” Patty snipped. “Stephen, I think it’s time we got going.”

  “Ah, yes.” Stephen didn’t want to end on a negative note so he magnanimously gave Langford some advice. “The questions are all softballs—just watch out for the one on the differences between the House and Senate health care bills. Good luck.”

  “Er. Thanks . . . very much.” Langford seemed ruffled. “Have a good day.”

  Stephen walked away, only to hear Langford call to him. When he turned around, Langford wore a suspicious stare. “I forgot to ask you about something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I understand a friend of my family is interning for you right now.”

  “Really? Who?” Stephen knew exactly where Langford was going. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Megan’s cautionary expression. He guessed she wanted to make sure he betrayed nothing. Patty, on the other hand, glared at Langford.

  “Anne Norwood,” Langford answered with a smug smile.

  “Yes. I know her.” Stephen kept his practiced impassive face. “Her family is well-known. I believe her father is friends with my chief of staff’s family.”

  “She’s a pretty girl, don’t you think?” Langford pursed his lips, raising his eyebrows.

  “And?” Stephen knew better than to say anything to such a question.

  “Nothing.�
� He shrugged. “I just guessed you’d take a shine to a girl like her.”

  Stephen met his stare, but didn’t reply. Instead, he turned on his heel and left the building with Patty and Megan following behind. All were quiet until they got into the car when Patty erupted.

  “What the fuck? Why did you even talk to him? All you had to do was say ‘hello’ and move on.”

  “It was the right thing to do,” he answered tersely.

  “He’s right,” agreed Megan. “Stephen is the incumbent, and we’re leading in the polls, if narrowly. We can’t have stories where Stephen is anything less than cordial and gracious to Langford.”

  “Agreed, but you gave him an opportunity to needle you.”

  Staring out the window, he ignored his elder sister in the backseat, but he still heard her mutter, “And he better not be right about Anne.”

  Stephen glanced at Megan, who frowned and shook her head.

  Anxiety kept Anne on edge for days. Naturally, she was a little uneasy over her performance on the LSAT, but she was mainly anxious about Stephen. Would he regret opening up to her? What would he say about her conversation with his mother?

  She kept her eyes and ears open for signs he’d returned from his trip, but there was nothing. It all made her feel strange and sad. How can I be involved with someone when we have no communication?

  When he tapped her shoulder on Wednesday morning, she jumped from her seat in surprise. She’d been listening to her iPod as she read through some constituent mail. Startled, she pulled out her ear buds and looked up. A shy smiled spread across her face.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hello. How are you?” He smiled.

  “Good, but you snuck up on me again.” She was too tickled not to flirt.

  “I don’t mean to, but it’s kind of fun to see your reactions.”

  “Oh, thanks. I wish I could do it to you.”

  “That makes two of us,” he whispered with a smirk.

  Her jaw dropped, and she shook her head.

  “Senator, I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  Anne and Stephen turned as his secretary stood before them. Stephen shrugged. “It’s fine. What do you need?”