More Than Rivals (23 page)

A little after nine, Jack felt a tap on his shoulder. He broke away from his talk with a local mayor and turned to his father.

“We’re heading out.” George smiled. “It took a while, but we were able to get in to congratulate Lily. She asked where you were.”

“Go see her,” his mother urged.

“I will…” Jack muttered with a half-hearted glance at the room. “But it’s her night to shine.”

After his parents left the room, Jack continued working the crowd and waited for the right moment to talk to Lily. She was always swamped, though, and he didn’t want to barge in. When he became tired, he decided maybe he should just leave. He’d see her in the morning.

Wanting the most discreet exit, Jack found a side door only the caterers were using. A voice of reason in head told him he was being a little childish, and he hesitated for a moment, thinking maybe he should turn around. Then a familiar, but distorted voice called from behind him, “Where in the hell are you going?”

He turned on his heel and saw Lily with both hands on her hips. He smiled, “You’re busy, Babe. I was going to catch up with you later.”

Her expression changed from playfully mad to genuinely hurt, and her raspy voice cracked as she asked, “You were really leaving?”

“Well, there are a lot of people and I…”

Lily pursed her lips and shook her head in dismay. Without another word, she grabbed Jack’s hand, opened the nearest door, and dragged him inside. He heard the click of a lock. When she flipped on the lights, Jack’s eyes adjusted to the harsh fluorescent glare. He looked around the small, tiled space and laughed.
 
“Why are we in the handicap bathroom?”

“It was the closest room where we can talk in private.”

“What’s a good liberal like you using the handicap bathroom when you’re not handicapped?”
 

She finally cracked a smile. “If someone needs it, they’ll knock.”

 
He pulled her close and asked, “And what happens when someone discovers the congresswoman-elect has been alone in close quarters with me of all people—instead of joining her party?”

Her eyes twinkled, and she patted his tie. “I think for many of them their suspicions would be confirmed.”

“I think so, too.” He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Congratulations, Babe. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered before kissing him so hard he was taken aback.
 

After she pulled away, he was going to tease her, but he held back when he saw the distraught look on her face. “What?” he said.

 
“You have to be honest with me.”

“Of course.”

“You’re happy for me, but are
you
happy?”

“Sure,” he said, wondering why he would be unhappy.
 

“You don’t regret anything?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, when I didn’t see you all night and then Jordan spotted you leaving, I was worried that you were upset.”

“Oh, Babe.” He smiled and smoothed her hair. “I was only upset I couldn’t talk to you. I was jealous of everyone around you, not jealous
of
you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Something then clicked for him. “I know I’m a competitive asshole, but not with you. I don’t operate that way with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember when we first met?”

“Yeah…”

“Did I tell you what I did or who I was?”

“No.”

“Exactly. I didn’t. Normally, if I met a woman I liked, I would’ve. It would’ve been all about me, but I didn’t with you. I didn’t want to be
that
guy with you.”

“That was smart because I wouldn’t have wanted to talk with
that
guy.” She kissed him and murmured, “And I certainly wouldn’t have fallen in love with him.”

He smiled and kissed her with all his heart. When he pulled away, he chuckled. “What would you have said if I’d introduced myself as Senator John Bengston?”

“I don’t know…” She giggled. “Probably introduce myself as Supervisor Ursula Robles and ask why you were hitting on me in a coffee shop, but you never took my damn calls.”

***

Six months later, it was a bright, spring day as Jack sat in the back of a cab from Dulles Airport to Washington, DC. He’d become a frequent flyer to DC since Lily came to office in January. While it seemed like she’d been at home just as much as she’d been gone, it was easier for them to have private time together in DC. When she was in California, she spent as much time as she could with Luke. Jack didn’t mind, but he also wanted time alone with her. He knew there was a solution to the problem that didn’t involve constant trips to DC. It was a solution he’d been eager for. As the cab sped through Virginia on its way to the Capitol, he pulled out his phone and called the number he’d only recently become familiar with.

“Well … hello,” answered the snarky male voice.

“Hello, Jordan,” said Jack with a smile. “I’m guessing she’s not around.”

“Nope. She’s at a meeting. She’s right on schedule so far today.”

“Excellent. Is she in a better mood? She was in a horrible mood when I got off the phone with her this morning.”

“Oh no. She’s a bitch on wheels right now. She’s thinking she’s spending a whole weekend in DC without you or her family. She’s miserable.”

“Then she’ll be surprised.”

“Yes, she will. Speaking of surprises … did you decide to let her pick it out?”

“No, I picked it out,” Jack said, eyeing his briefcase which held the precious cargo.
 

Jordan’s voice then became a southern falsetto, “And did you buy a great big one, Rhett?”
     

“Excuse me?”
 

“It’s a line from
Gone with the Wind
,” said Jordan, returning to his normal speaking voice.

“Oh. Never saw it.”

“I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. It speaks poorly of your education.”

“Yeah, right.”
 

“So I’ll call you when I know she starts her run, okay?”

“Great.” Jack grinned. “I’ll be waiting.
 

***

A few hours later, Lily readjusted her earbud as she ran down the National Mall. It was her favorite place to run—flat, spacious, with wonderful things to see and too many to ever recognize her. When she’d run in the morning, the place was quiet, and the few runners, walkers, and Capitol groundskeepers paid her no mind. Regardless of hour, the music in her ears helped organize her thoughts and busy life. As she turned the corner at the Washington Monument, she headed toward the tidal basin to enjoy the cherry blossoms which were in full bloom.
 

Though she was present in the world, she was detached from it as she ran by the soft pink flowers near the Jefferson Memorial. When another runner came up to her side, she ignored the person as she always did. She sensed a man next to her, but she didn’t want to be rude and look at him, though she thought it was weird he hadn’t passed her yet. A minute passed, and she became annoyed he was still right beside her, so she flashed him a look.

“Jack,” she exclaimed with an abrupt stop. “Oh my God!”

“Hey, Babe. How are you?” he asked with a smile.

Removing her earbuds, she said, “Well, I’m great now. But why are you here? You told me you couldn’t come this weekend.”

“I missed you,” he said putting his arm around her. “You sounded sad when we talked last night, so I rearranged things.”

“Oh, Sweetie,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

“So where were you when we talked this morning?”

“At SFO.”

“But you left me a voicemail an hour ago.”
 

“Yeah, I was here when I called.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

He smirked as if he was holding something back. “I came to surprise you.” Glancing at the flowering trees, he said, “It would be a shame to waste a spring day without you.”

“Oh, sweetheart …. but who told you I’d be on a run? And where I was going?”

“Jordan? Really? That’s weird.” She couldn’t remember if she’d ever given Jack Jordan’s number.

“Let’s finish your run, okay?”

“Great. Let’s loop around the tidal basin then back to my apartment.”

“Sure,” he said and joined her as she began to run.
 

“I can’t get over the fact you’re here,” she said.

“Should I leave?” He chuckled.

“No. No.” She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss without breaking her stride. “I’m so glad you’re here. I have to work this weekend, but it will be more fun with you there.”

“I need to work, too, but at least we’ll be together.”

“
That
makes everything better.”

After they completed the lap around the tidal basin, Jack said, “If you’re up for it, let’s run around the White House.”

“Okay. That’s not far.”

They talked as they ran north to the White House, and after they rounded its perimeter, Lily expected that they would continue east toward Capitol Hill. When Jack veered left as if he was going to run through Lafayette Park, Lily interrupted their conversation. “Hey, Jack. We go this way,” she said with a nod to the right.

“Not today,” he said with a smile and continued to run.

“Huh?” she said, but she still followed him through the small park. “This leads to downtown. There’s no place to run, and the streets are too crowded.”

“Don’t worry. We’re not going there.”

“We need to turn around then.”

“Nope. We’re going right over there,” he said, pointing to an Italian-Renaissance building.

“The Hay-Adams?” Lily laughed. “We’re not really dressed for a nice hotel. If you need water, let’s just buy a bottle on the street.”

He smiled. “They won’t care how we’re dressed. We’re staying there.”

“What?!”
 

“You heard me.”
 

“Why? What’s going on?” She stopped running and raised up her empty hands. “I don’t even have my phone with me. I can’t just go off like this. Jordan expects me back.”
 

“No, he doesn’t.”

Her mouth dropped open as she put the clues together. “You already talked to him?”
 

“I’ve got everything taken care of. You’ll see,” he said without looking back.
 

Lily smiled in happy suspicion as to what might be happening. Her heart leapt at the thought, but then she doubted herself. She ran after him, staring at the ornate building ahead of them. Would this be the location Jack chose?

When they approached the hotel, the doorman nodded to Jack and remarked it was good to see him again. Lily turned to Jack. “So you’ve already been here?”

“Sure. Where do you think I changed?”

“I don’t know…” Realizing she’d missed a piece of the puzzle Jack was putting before her, Lily cocked her head. “I think I just assumed you did it at my place. You do have a key.”

“Good assumption, but not correct today.”

“But why are we here? I have an apartment so I don’t have to stay in a hotel.”

“You don’t like it?” Jack smiled.

“Of course, I like it.” Lily looked around. “It’s gorgeous, but why?”

“You’ll see.”

Not wanting to draw any attention, Lily was quiet in the lobby as Jack led her to the elevator. Other guests filed into the elevator with them, so she kept silent in there as well. When the door opened to their floor and Jack led her out, she said, “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“Soon.” His lips turned up into the same smug smirk. He pulled out a key card from the pocket of his running shorts. Nodding to the door ahead of them, he said, “This is our room.”

Lily crossed her arms as if she was going to judge it. “Okay….”

When he opened the door, Lily viewed the elegant room of crème, gold, and brown. She stepped and saw that it wasn’t a room at all. Turning around to see Jack, she said, “It’s a suite.”

“It is.”

She spied her suitcase sitting on a rack in the closet. “What’s my suitcase doing here?”

“I packed a few things for you.”

“But I have to work.” She frowned.

“I know,” he said and pointed to the desk where her briefcase sat by his. “We both do. Our laptops are over there, as is your phone.”
 

“Why are you doing this?” She laughed, shaking her head.

“All in due time… Let’s get cleaned up, okay?” he said with a chuckle.
 

“Can I check my phone first?”

“No problem. I’ll do the same.”

As she listened to her messages, she noticed a room service cart off to her right. Champagne sat in a bucket of ice with a bowl of chocolate covered strawberries at its side. In the middle of the cart, a silver dome covered a plate. Lily pointed to the cart and turned to Jack. “What’s this?”

“For later.” He shrugged.

“What are we celebrating?”

“Being together. Is that enough?”

“Sure…” Her stomach flipped a bit as she sensed her suspicions were probably right. Dying to find out the truth, she said, “You want to shower first?”

“How about we go together?”
 

“Okay. Why not?” She giggled and began kicking off her shoes.

 
After a long, hot shower, made longer and hotter by a sexual interlude, the two dried off and put on the hotel robes. Lily looked out the bathroom door and across the room at the waiting champagne. She got an idea to speed things along. “I’m hungry. Mind if I eat something?”

Jack eyed the cart and waited a beat before answering. “Go for it.”

She walked over to the bowl of strawberries, and after taking a bite, she pointed to the little silver dome. “What’s under this? Cheese?”

“No…” he said, walking toward her.

“A crudite?” She took the final bite of strawberry.

“Go ahead and look.” He pursed his lips, but a small smile betrayed him. “You’ll find some carrots.”

She lifted the dome, but only half-way. When she saw the red velvet jewelry box, her hand stopped in mid-air. “Oh my God…”

From behind her, she heard his voice say, “Not the kind of carrots you eat.”

She turned to him and gasped, “Jack.”

Without a word, he took the dome from her hand and placed it aside. Then he took the unmistakable ring box and dropped down to one knee. While he gazed at her, she placed a hand to her heart. “Oh, Sweetheart.”