Forever Your Heart

by Mary Whitney

  Chapter Nine

  OVER THE FOLLOWING FEW WEEKS in the White House briefing room, Nicki was a little cooler to me, but it didn’t feel cold. I’d stare at her, and she’d glance over at me and twitch her mouth. We both knew she wanted to smile.

  One Friday, I cornered her. “Good morning, Nicki.”

  “Good morning,” she said cheerily.

  “So your big date is tomorrow?”

  “You mean the Correspondents’ Dinner?”

  “Yes. Are you still going with Juan Carlos?” I hated even saying the guy’s name.

  She frowned, looking annoyed. “Of course. I told you I was.”

  “What makes him so special that he has to have two names?”

  “What about Felicity? What kind of name is that anyway? It’s not a name. Happiness is a state of being. Are you still taking her to the dinner?”

  So my little Nicki was jealous. Very jealous. That was a good sign. It made the stupid date with Felicity worthwhile.

  “Yes,” I said, trying not to laugh. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The next night, Felicity was a pain in the arse from the moment I met her before the dinner. Her hotel lobby was bustling with black ties, gowns, and plenty of American tourists, so at least it was so busy she didn’t cause a scene.

  She walked out of the lift, pulling at the evening gloves extending high on her arms. She practically spat at me, “Why did you make me come down here? Why didn’t you meet me in my room?”

  “I told you I didn’t want to be late.”

  “You know, you could be timely and a decent date by picking me up properly.” She looked around the busy lobby. “Having me meet you down here is so…platonic.” Taking a deep breath, she thrust out her already-protruding tits. “Well, if you’re lucky, you might be able to see my room later on.”

  Though I could’ve easily made excuses otherwise, I’d decided to escort Felicity to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after all to keep the peace between us at work. I also sure as hell wasn’t going to that damn dinner alone if Nicki would be there with Short-Arse. But the possibility of seeing the inside of Felicity’s hotel room wasn’t part of the equation for me at all. I stole a glance at her tits and gave her a false apology. “Sorry, Felicity. I’m all out of luck.”

  “What is going on with you?” she asked, throwing a hand on her hip.

  “Felicity…we’ve been through this before.” I was losing my patience.

  “Yes, we have.” She took a step closer to me and became stern. “And you also still occasionally end up in my bed, or at least you used to.”

  There was no getting out of it. I was being a jerk. If Nicki weren’t in the picture, things would have been different. I’d have kept in better touch with Felicity, I’d have slept with her when in London, and I would’ve considered her a real date for this damn dinner. I may not have wanted to be with her, but she did deserve an apology and a bit of explanation. “I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s wise anymore.”

  “Are you seeing someone else?”

  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  The woman had become venomous and far too perceptive, so I tried to ratchet the situation down. “You’re my colleague. Meeting you in the lobby of your hotel is appropriate.” I pointed to the hotel entrance. “And the damn dinner is across the road.”

  “Then let’s go so I can get a drink,” she huffed. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, Kincaid, but I will find out.”

  Either Nicki was hiding from me or she arrived late. I had looked for her throughout the cocktail hour and couldn’t find her until I spotted Juan Carlos guiding her to their seats just as dinner started. My table was painfully dull, except for listening to Felicity make her moves on a Greek shipping tycoon, Gus Papadopoulos. He had to be at least twenty years her senior, but Felicity didn’t seem to mind. By dessert, I was pretty confident she had her hand on his thigh.

  President Logan was a hit that evening, so after the dinner Nicki was happily shaking hands and passing out hugs. It took a bit before she saw me staring at her. She then patted the arm of a congresswoman and made her way toward me.

  She was stunning in an elegant silver gown. She looked svelte and confident and very, very sexy. I greeted her. “Good evening. You look ravishing.”

  Her hand went to the silky material that respectably covered yet clung to her breasts. All her confidence was gone, and she was awkward Nicki again. “Thanks.” She nodded. “You look dashing…as ever.”

  “Thanks. Think you can control yourself this time?”

  “You’re such fucking arse,” she said and swatted me.

  I held my hands up to protect myself. “I always loved it when you cursed.”

  “What’s this?” I heard Felicity’s most posh voice say. “Attacking the press?”

  “Hello, Felicity.” She’d placed her hand on my shoulder like somehow she had a claim to me. I couldn’t very well shrug her off, though, so I hardened my voice for what was sure to be a difficult conversation. “This is Nicole Johnson.” I then looked at Nicki, no doubt like a guilty schoolboy. “Nicole, this is Felicity Chambers.” I felt Felicity’s glare at my lack of propriety. “Lady Felicity Chambers, I should say.”

  “I normally don’t use the title.” She smiled with perfect insincerity.

  Nicki should’ve been a politician herself, she was so smooth as she extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve seen some of your work on TV.”

  “Yes. As I’ve seen you,” said Felicity, shaking her hand. “Of course, Adam has mentioned you before.”

  “We’ve known each other for a while,” Nicki said, dryly.

  “So he’s said.” Felicity finally took her hands off me, thank God, but then she only made matters worse when she said, “He told me of your upbringing. I think it’s such an endearing story about how you came from nothing, and now look at you. You’re at the height of government. Truly amazing.”

  “Fel, I never said that.” I was sharp in my retort. I couldn’t have Nicki thinking I ever considered her in such a way. “Nicki’s family is highly educated and somewhat well-to-do.”

  “Oh, you know what I mean,” Felicity said.

  “I suppose our notions of class are different in the US,” Nicki said, clearly miffed. “We’re a meritocracy and don’t look down on the middle class.”

  “Oh, I’m not looking down on you. I think it’s a rather heartwarming story.”

  “I actually think it’s pretty boring.” Nicki looked away as if she really did find the conversation dull. “But maybe it’s similar to how Americans admire British royalty though we would never want any ourselves.”

  “Wouldn’t you now? I think Americans are obsessed with the monarchy.”

  “Obsessed? Only in a celebrity-gossip way.” She focused her attention on Felicity and slayed her with logic. “You have to admit picking the firstborn kid of the firstborn kid of the firstborn kid of an inbred family is a lousy way to choose a head of state.”

  “Now, Nicole,” Felicity said. “You’re smart enough to know we have a constitutional monarchy.”

  Nicki glared at me for a moment before turning back to Felicity. “Actually, I’m even smart enough to know that despite your constitutional monarchy, the Queen is still the head of state.”

  “I suppose you are trained in protocol in your position,” said Felicity.

  That was it. I could allow Felicity to make a fool of herself socially; I was certain Nicki found it mildly amusing. But belittling Nicki for her work in the Logan administration—that was a bridge too far. I clapped my hands. “Felicity, pardon me. I need to speak to Nicole alone for a moment about a story I’m working on.”

  “But of course.” She smiled at Nicki. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  “And you,” said Nicki.

  I waited until Felicity sauntered over to Gus the Greek before speaking, but Nicki spoke first. “That was interesting.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I s
aid.

  “Did you think you had a cat fight on your hands?”

  “More like the start of an international incident.” I wiped my brow in relief. “She must feel incredibly threatened by you to speak that way.”

  “And she’s otherwise charming?”

  “Maybe not charming.” I snickered because Nicki had always been onto me about women. “But she’s a smart reporter. She knows you don’t piss off someone who has the ear of the president of the United States.”

  “You have horrible taste in women, you know. Always have.”

  The indignant pout on her face was adorable. If the entire Washington establishment wasn’t around us, I would’ve stolen a kiss. Instead, I could only spar with her. “Only when I’m biding my time, waiting for you to come around.”

  “Clearly, I was an anomaly.”

  “In the best way.”

  “Her breasts are certainly on display for you and everyone else in the room.”

  I whispered, “Are you jealous, Nicki Johnson?”

  “No!” She looked annoyed. “Maybe.”

  “Good. Now you know how I feel about fucking Juan Carlos.” It didn’t sound quite as playful as I’d intended it.

  “Remember I spent a good part of my junior year of high school jealous as hell because you were with Meredith Daniels.”

  “Was that her name? I’d forgotten.”

  It had been a stupid joke on my part. Nicki looked like she was going to blow a gasket, her eyes roaming the room as if she wanted to get away from me. “If we weren’t under the surveillance of stupid Dan Roark right now, I’d punch you in the arm for that.”

  “Sorry. I’d deserve it if you did.” I leaned down as near to her as I could without raising any eyebrows. It was so close, but so far away. God, how I wanted to kiss her neck. “You know, you’re the one I’ve remembered.”

  She didn’t reply, only breathed a little roughly.

  After a moment, I asked, “Are you going home with him?”

  “Juan Carlos?”

  “Si, Juan Carlos,” I said, imitating the bastard. “Who else?”

  “There’s no one else. You know that.”

  “So then, Juan Carlos, or JC. Are you taking him home?” I gave her a fierce stare whilst my wobbly insides prayed she would answer no.

  “He usually stays with me, but I don’t know. He’s not too happy with me right now. We could very well end up in another fight.” It was her turn to stare me down. “Are you going home with her?”

  I debated what to say. Maintaining the air that Felicity and I were together was going to require me to lie to Nicki, which I really didn’t want to do. Yet what if Nicki did end up in bed with Short-Arse whilst I was alone in mine? I decided to save a little face and say a half-truth. “She usually stays with me. After her little run-in with you, I’d say we’re guaranteed to have a fight.”

  “Good.” She threw her hand over her mouth like she’d let the cat out of the bag, but I could still see her smile.

  I looked Nicki up and down. She was so gorgeous in that dress. I wanted to offer my arm, take her out for drinks at the Hay-Adams, talk to her until they kicked us out of the bar, and then take her back to my place and slam the door shut.

  “I feel the same way,” I said happily, and she walked away.

  An hour later, my patience had abandoned me. I’d dutifully chitchatted and made merry with colleagues and foes alike, just as the evening had called for. I had also kept tabs on Nicki as she did the same. Occasionally, she’d speak to old JC, who was cordial but not affectionate toward her. She seemed equally chilly to him. It was a relationship demise I enjoyed watching, though in the end I just wanted the night over.

  When Gus finally left Felicity’s side to speak to the head of the US Chamber of Commerce, I went over to her and said, “I’m heading out.”

  “You are?” she asked with some indignation.

  “Of course. I believe you’re otherwise occupied.” I nodded to Gus, who was still with the Chamber guy but also staring at Felicity and me.

  “So you care not if I spend my evening with Gus Papadopolous?”

  “You two seem to be enjoying yourselves.” I could just hear what David would say at that moment: “Let’s hope he doesn’t have a heart attack when he bangs you tonight.”

  Luckily, David wasn’t around, and I was too polite, so Felicity had her moment to shine and make me feel like shit.

  “He’s fascinating. We get on quite well,” she said, arching her neck defiantly. She then searched the room, and at that moment, Nicki and JC were together talking with two major Democratic Party donors. Felicity smiled. “Are you leaving because your little friend is off with her Latin lover? Juan Carlos Jimenez is quite a catch, you know.”

  “So I hear.” I shook my head with a bitter taste in my mouth. “What happened to your manners, not to mention your professionalism, with Nicole?”

  “I was perfectly polite and professional toward her.”

  “Not if you ever want to cover the White House.”

  “Now, why would I need to do that when the BBC has you and your ‘special relationship’ with her? Maybe you’ve never got over your schoolboy crush.”

  Damn women’s intuition. “Good night, Fel,” I said with a roll of my eyes before walking away. My only consolation was that she’d soon be back in London. The less time she spent around Nicki the better.

  Hoping to clear my head, I took a roundabout way home from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Driving along the bends of Rock Creek Parkway with music blaring in the background was always a good way for me to work through something. In this case, the something was how to get closer to Nicki.

  The night we’d kissed, she’d said she wanted to spend more time with me, yet neither of us had followed up. I suppose I understood her reservations, but what was holding me back? I had always regretted moving so slowly and acting so foolishly with Nicki at school. What was my excuse for not pursuing her now?

  Since January, I’d let her take the lead; I didn’t want to push her, given all the years and other issues standing between us. There was also the fact that I didn’t really know her anymore. I only knew how I used to feel about her. That had been enough to take a job I didn’t want, but I couldn’t let the past dictate every step thereafter.

  What I’d learned of Nicki since January taught me that I did still want her by my side. And now that we’d at least cleared some of the air between us, I was aware that she thought a future was possible. She just wasn’t sure if I’d stick around for her.

  Well, I was certain I would. I wondered if I should take more control of the situation. Perhaps it was time to step things up.

  Chapter Ten

  WHEN WE LEFT FOR OHIO on Wednesday morning, it was a beautiful spring day, but we were heading into the rainy American heartland. Owing his election to the voters in many of the electorally important Rustbelt states, President Logan planned his first American tour through Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

  The weather was horrible, which threw our entire schedule up in the air. That first day, Nicki was already so harried from the turmoil that I didn’t bother her. Occasionally, she’d smile pleadingly at me like she needed a break, but she couldn’t get one. Midway through Thursday afternoon, though, I knew the president was in a meeting with the governor of Michigan, so I hoped she had a free moment. I texted her as she talked with another staffer.

  You look tired. Can you get away at all?

  I watched as she noticed my text and typed back.

  Not today. Probably not tomorrow. I’ll call you tonight.

  I cocked my head at that. I couldn’t see her, but I’d get to talk to her. We hadn’t had a real conversation in a while—not since the dinner with David and Lisa.

  I answered at once.

  Great.

  It was after nine that night when I checked my phone for the tenth time. Still no call from Nicki. Stretching out on my bed, I’d begun to search the movies
on pay-per-view when the hotel phone rang next to me. It was a surprise; those phones never rang anymore unless there was a problem.

  I answered hesitantly, “Hello.”

  “Hi, Adam. It’s Nicki.”

  “Well, hello. Why are you calling me on the hotel phone?”

  “For kicks. Did I surprise you?”

  “A little bit.” I thought about it a moment. “Actually, it reminds me that we’re in the same building.”

  “We are.”

  “Which floor are you on?”

  “The twenty-second. And you?”

  “I’m on the twentieth. We’re neighbors.”

  “Not really. My neighbors are Secret Service snipers on either side of me.”

  “Snipers? I never really thought about the president traveling with snipers.”

  “Well, he does—in case they need to easily kill someone trying to kill him. You’re not supposed to see them, though.”

  “That is the job of a sniper. So should I be looking at the rooftops and belfries to find them?”

  “Yeah, during the day when the president is outside, that’s a good place to start. Right now, you could just wander along the twenty-second floor. Both of those guys have the TV blaring in their rooms. They’d be easy to locate.”

  “And so I could figure out that your room is the quiet one in between theirs?”

  “Yeah…”

  “I’m coming up, then.”

  “What?”

  “Scared you, didn’t I?” I laughed.

  “Maybe.”

  “You have to admit it’s a bit frustrating we’re finally talking and even in the same building, but we’re not in the same room.”

  “Yeah, but…” Nicki giggled. “I don’t think being in a hotel room alone together is a good idea.”

  “Now, why would that be? We would just talk…well, I would just talk. Considering your behavior the other night, I’d have to fend you off.”

  “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

  “No, I won’t.” I flipped the remote control in my hand as I brought up a nagging curiosity. “So you never told me what happened with old Juan Carlos.”