“I learned from the best.”
“Go away, Jake. I’ve got an appointment waiting.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And tell Maddie I won’t kill her bill.” She grunted. “But I won’t put up with her yelling at me in public again.”
“I’ll ask her to not yell at you . . . in public.” I ducked out the door before she could respond.
The secretary ushered an older gentleman into the room I just vacated and I blew out a deep breath. I felt like I had one hundred pounds lifted off my shoulders.
Now to see Senator Fletcher about a bill.
Chapter 28
Maddie
“You’re going to go blind,” Phoebe tsked at me.
“I’m not staring at the sun, Phoebe.” I rolled my eyes but turned off my phone and tucked it in my pocket. I might be annoyed with her right now, but I was really glad she was finally home.
“No, you’re writhing in misery thinking Jake is in love with someone else.” She pointed at me over the adoption desk at the shelter. “You keep staring at that picture of him and your friend trying to find a tiny detail to confirm your suspicion.”
A photo of Jake helping Kyla carry something into her house had popped up on some site and spread across the media like wildfire. He was laughing with her while Korbin ran in the yard with Puz.
And every single time it showed up, it was like being shot in the heart. He looked happy, relaxed.
With another woman. And my stomach writhed with jealousy.
I’d seen them at the party a few days ago, talking and laughing. At first I’d thought that maybe he had come to see me, but then I’d watched as he kissed her head. I hadn’t been able to get out of there fast enough.
All that time I’d been waiting, trying to give him a chance to work through what was bothering him. I’d told him I loved him and he’d told me to leave.
I’d been such a fool.
“I’m telling you, it’s nothing. You know how the media works. This is a snapshot, a millisecond of time that was captured and spun in whatever way that would sell the most papers and get the most hits online.” Phoebe frowned at me. “And if it isn’t, I’m going to kick his stupid ass until he needs another prosthetic.”
“Phoebe!” I wiped at my cheeks.
“That’s what friends do, Maddie.” She picked up the nail trimmers. “I’ll cut a bitch.”
I groaned.
“Get it? Because they’re nail trimmers? I’ll cut a bitch? Like a female dog?”
“Ugh. That was horrible, even for you.” But it did make me laugh.
“Have you taken care of the new dog in kennel twelve?” She tapped the clipboard in front of her. “If my puns won’t work, maybe manual labor will.”
“You’re a cruel and unusual friend, Phoebe.”
“Thank you.”
I spent the rest of my shift running around and delivering medicine and mucking cages. I wished it really had kept me from worrying over the picture.
“Yo, time to go!” Phoebe tapped her waterproof watch. “You’ve got that thing tonight, right?”
“Shit.” I looked up and frowned. “Yeah, Dad’s giving an award and I have to be there.”
“Go get your Cinderella on.” Phoebe pursed her lips. “Because you definitely look like a mistreated servant girl right now.”
I picked up one of my feet and frowned at the mud and other brown matter stuck to my work boots. Maybe I’d find a fairy godmother on the way back to the White House.
Feeling guilty about being so disgusting I put my shoes in a plastic bag in the back of the car and sat on my jacket.
“Any new animals?” Mona asked.
“A few. There’s a really cute little kitten. She’s bound to get a home quick.”
“It’s the older ones that have a hard time.” Mona said it like she worked with animals all the time. Maybe I could get her to volunteer on her off days.
“Yeah, and those are the ones that are already housebroken and kennel trained. It’s a shame.” I missed Tony, but I was really starting to like Mona.
“You’ll find them homes.” She smiled at me.
The staff was a flurry of excitement by the time I got to the residential suite. Bran was laying on one of the couches dressed in his tux while playing some kind of video game.
“Whoa. You stink.” He looked up at me as I ran by.
“It’s shit!” I laughed and slammed my door. I only had an hour before I’d be expected for pictures and that was definitely pressing it.
I rushed through the shower, barely taking the time to shave my legs so I’d have time to do something with my hair. It was too late for something intricate, so I’d have to settle with curling the ends.
I pulled a black dress from the closet and frowned. I didn’t remember buying it, but it had my name pinned to it and was the right size. Deciding that it would be easier to just go with something plain, I pulled the dress on and turned to the mirror with a shock.
It was extremely form-fitting but still had a loose, flowing look to it. The neckline disappeared well below my breasts and the back was practically nonexistent.
“I thought that would look good on you.” Abigail walked into the room. She was wearing a midnight-blue gown with her hair pulled up. “You’re stunning, Maddie.”
“You picked this out for me?” It was nothing like the safe, boring dresses she normally sent my way.
She walked over to stand next to me in the mirror. “I met your mother once. A long time before you were born. She was this lively woman that never seemed to be worried about boundaries and protocol. She was the definition of a carefree spirit. I didn’t like her, I dismissed her for not seeing what I thought was the big picture.”
“Uh, if you’re going for a heart-to-heart—”
“Just listen. It took me years to realize I hadn’t disliked your mother. I’d been jealous. I grew up with all these rules and requirements. They molded my whole life, defined who I was. When I was back in Colorado, I looked your mother up. I wanted to tell her that she had taught me something about myself.” She fiddled with my dress and I realized she must really be nervous. “And that’s how I met your father. Your mother had died a few months before I reached out to her.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I’m telling you this, because I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye. But I love you, Maddie. When your father brought me into your family you became my daughter. I know I wasn’t your mom, but I love you as if you were my own.” She looked away from the mirror and I realized she had teared up. “And I’m proud of you.”
“I love you, too.” I reached up and squeezed her hand.
“Anyway, I bought this dress when I saw it, because I knew you would take Jake’s breath away in it. I’m ashamed to admit I thought he’d be good for you, but now I see that you’re good for him. You have this way of bringing out the best in people.”
“Abigail, thank you so much, but Jake—”
“Isn’t here yet. So you have plenty of time to finish getting ready. I think your hair looks lovely down.” To add to my shock she leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
“But Abigail . . .”
She walked right out of the room and pulled the door shut with her.
Jake was going to be here tonight?
I had two options. I could hide and pout or I could put on my battle armor and go downstairs.
Maybe I could do both.
I worked carefully on my makeup, taking the time to make sure my eyeliner was even and the foundation blended in perfectly. I flipped through my jewelry and picked out a pair of emerald earrings but decided against a necklace. This neckline wasn’t meant to be accessorized.
I looked through my shoes, wishing I had something sexier to wear, but had to go with what was available. I had one pair of black stilettos and that would have to do.
By the time I was finished I had surprised myself. Standing in the mirro
r was an elegant woman with a slightly wild looking edge.
Jake had called me his fairy queen once. The woman looking back at me was dressed in sophisticated black and dripping with jewels, ready to do battle with magic.
If Jake didn’t love me, then I’d make sure he regretted missing out.
I picked up a small jeweled bag and shoved the necessities in it.
“Maddie?” I turned around at the sound of my father’s voice. “Wow. You’re stunning.”
“You’re going to need a bib in that dress.” Bran frowned, obviously horrified by my cleavage.
“I’ll just borrow one of yours from the children’s table.” I smiled at him while he rolled his eyes.
“Abigail showed me the dress when it arrived. She definitely knows her stuff.” My father picked up my hand and made me spin. “Jake isn’t going to know what hit him.”
“Listen, Jake and I haven’t spoken in—in a while. So, just lay off the Jake stuff, okay?”
“He’d have to be stupid not to talk to you tonight,” Bran said. “I mean, you’re my sister so this—” he waved his hands in my direction “—is gross, but if you weren’t my sister I’d say he was an idiot.”
“I think there was a compliment in there somewhere.” I frowned at my little brother. “Are you being nice to me?”
“I give up.” Bran rolled his eyes and headed for Abigail.
My father held on to my hand when I started to follow Bran. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay.” I squeezed his fingers. “I will be okay.”
He nodded his head. It was true. I would be okay. I just needed to make it through the night without making a fool of myself.
We posed for pictures and I managed to ignore Virginia and her frosty attitude, but it was nice to see Caro and Ari. Thankfully, Jake hadn’t shown up for the photos.
In fact, I didn’t see him until I sat down at the table. When I’d seen the name cards I’d thought of switching them in an effort to escape, but decided I needed to be an adult. If Jake had moved on with Kyla, I’d try to be happy for them.
And maybe think about letting Phoebe loose with the nail clippers.
“I wanted to tell you earlier, but you look amazing.” Jake slipped into his seat, his eyes running over me hungrily.
“Thank you.” I clenched my purse under the table and managed a polite smile.
“Maddie, I’d really like to talk to you.” He touched my arm and electric sparks shot through my system. “There’s been a lot going on.”
“My father is about to make a speech.” I nodded toward where my dad was standing.
“Later?”
I ignored him, focusing on my father. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes, but I’d be damned if I was going to ruin my war paint before he’d even told me he’d moved on.
“Please, Maddie? I owe you an explanation.”
I jerked my chin once but didn’t look at him again for the rest of the dinner. It was bad enough that he was next to me, his sleeve brushing my arm, his knee bumping into mine. Each touch was a knife to my heart.
By the time the food was whisked away, I’d started looking for ways to avoid Jake. There were a few people in the room that I could count on for a dance. Possibly a few others. Then I could sneak out before anyone noticed.
I left the table in a hurry, desperate not to be stuck talking to Jake in front of all these people. That was when Senator Fletcher motioned for me to come over.
“Maddie, my dear, you are breathtaking.” She leaned forward to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you. How are you?”
“I’m wonderful. Has Jake told you the news?”
“News?” I frowned.
“We have a sponsor and everything is set to move forward.” The older woman’s face beamed. “The Vice President even gave us her list of people. Jake talked her into backing your bill.”
“He what?” My voice was a little louder than I’d intended.
“I thought you knew.” She frowned. “I really shouldn’t say anything else. It’s his story to tell.”
“I don’t understand. You said you’d stop the bill.”
“I did, dear. Just as you asked, but Jake came to my office this week and insisted we make it happen.” She touched my arm. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
“I—I’m confused, that’s all.” I sat down in a nearby chair. Was this his way of apologizing for leaving me? Or had Phoebe been right? He really did still love me.
“Maddie, will you dance with me?” Jake stood behind my chair and held his hand out to me. I looked around the room and willed a sibling connection with my brother. I could always dance with my brother. “Please?”
People were looking at us waiting to see how I would respond. I wanted to have something witty to say, some grand excuse, but I didn’t trust myself to open my mouth.
Instead I looked up into his warm eyes and nodded yes.
He swept me into his arms and through the other dancers. Being in his arms was the most wonderful and most painful experience. I loved him enough to let him go if that’s what he wanted, but I still had hope that he was here for me. It was that hope that tortured me.
“You’re not looking at me.” He leaned forward and his breath tickled my skin.
“Why did you reopen the bill?” I answered with my own question.
“Because I know how much it means to you.” His hand on my waist pulled me a little closer. “Please look at me.”
“I don’t want to look at you, Jake.” His thumb ran across my fingers in a soothing pattern.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to cry in front of all these people.” My voice shook and I stared off to the side as we moved around the floor. “And if I look at you, I’m going to cry.”
“We have to fix that, because I can’t take my eyes off you.”
Without another word he pulled me from the dance floor and up the grand staircase. After a quick look around, he pulled me into the Lincoln sitting room where he’d stolen a kiss months ago.
“Maddie, I need you to look at me when I say this.” He tilted my chin up and I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. “There you are. God, I’ve missed you, Maddie. I’ve missed you more than I’ve missed anything in my life. Losing my leg was a cakewalk compared to not having you.”
“I don’t understand.” I blinked as tears filled my eyes. “You told me to leave. I tried to be strong, to be patient, but then I saw you with Kyla.”
“Saw me with Kyla? You mean that ridiculous picture of me helping her carry a sewing machine? Maddie, you know how the media spins things. Kyla is making baby clothes and selling them online.”
“It’s not just that.” I started to look away. I didn’t want him to see me cry, to see me so lost.
“Don’t do that. I need to see your eyes, Maddie. Please, don’t look away.”
“I saw you at her house. I saw you kiss her and hold her.” A sob broke free and I bit my lip.
“Shh. Don’t cry. What are you talking about?” Realization dawned in his eyes. “Is that why you left that night? At the party?”
“I wasn’t going to stay and watch the man I love with someone else.” Anger burned quickly in my stomach. “I saw you. I wasn’t going to hang around and have everyone pity me.”
“Maddie, I’m not in love with Kyla.” He chuckled and I clenched my teeth. “How could I be in love with Kyla when I’m in love with you?”
“I—I—you’re confusing me. You admit that you did kiss her but love me?”
“Yes. I kissed her on the head just like I do all of my sisters.”
“Like your sisters,” I repeated.
“Madeline McGuire, I’m in love with you. What you saw was Kyla telling me to stop being a pussy and to go after the woman I loved.” His eyes softened as he pulled me against him. “And that’s what I’m doing. I’m fighting for the woman I love.”
“She called you a pussy?” I frowned.
“Yes.” He laughe
d.
“You love me.” I hesitated with each word. “But you sent me away. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
“Yes. I’m stupid and I’m bound to make more stupid mistakes but I’m never letting you go again. I’m not perfect. I’m broken on the outside and the inside, but I’m getting better. I want to be better for you and for me.” He rested his forehead against mine. “No more keeping things bottled up. No more off-limit topics between us. If you want to know how I’m feeling or dealing, then I’ll tell you. I’ve got a doctor but it’s not something I can fix overnight.”
“You’re seeing Doctor Beaudreau?” I sniffed.
“Yes. More like he’s seeing me. And he wants to meet you.” His hands on my sides slid around to my back.
“You really love me.”
“Maddie, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I was just too stupid to realize it. You were right all those years ago. I’d been jealous of that little prick you were sneaking off with, I just didn’t understand.” He leaned down and caught my mouth with his and lightning shot through every cell in my body. “I love you when you wear men’s work boots and crazy t-shirts.”
He kissed me again and this time his hands moved slowly over my body, caressing and teasing.
“I love you when you dress like a fairy queen.” His mouth was quick and soft. “I love you when you wear nothing but mashed potatoes in your hair.”
I laughed as he kissed me.
“But most of all, I love you for being you. For being the hard worker, for loving with all your heart. I love the way you make me feel, the way you light up a room by just being you. I love it all, Maddie. Even your bad taste in movies.”
This time his kiss lasted long enough to leave me breathless.
“I love you too, Jake.”
This time when he kissed me, there were no barriers. His hands pressed me against him and I traced his shoulders with my hands before pulling at his shirt.
“I want you,” I whispered. “I need you, Jake. I need to touch you and feel you.”
His only response was to scoop me into his arms. I squeaked and he hushed me with another kiss, which was fine by me. I couldn’t get enough of the way he tasted, the way he felt pressed against me.
Bedmates Page 30
