Courtship

by Carsen Taite

  Chapter Seven

  For the first time in months, Julia slept until she woke up. Surprising, since she had a difficult time falling asleep after the awkward end to her date with Addison the night before. True, she hadn’t been on a date in a very long time, but it bothered her that she couldn’t seem to pinpoint exactly what she’d done wrong. She’d liked Addison from the start, had even envisioned seeing her again, but apparently, Addison didn’t share her view.

  When she finally decided to sit up in bed, she only barely remembered that she’d agreed to a meeting with President Garrett, and she already regretted the decision. She wanted to curl back up under the covers. Room service pancakes would’ve been nice too, but now that she was back in her own place, that wasn’t an option. She didn’t have to look to know her kitchen was bare. Hell, she didn’t cook even when she was in town. She vowed to order pancakes from the Four Seasons in Bora Bora her first morning on the island. For now, she’d have to settle for going back to sleep.

  The insistent ring of her cell phone killed that plan. She glanced at the display and recognized the White House line. “Hello?”

  “Ms. Scott?” It was Sue Marks. “President Garrett asked me to call and remind you about your appointment today.”

  “Any chance he can serve pancakes for lunch?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I was kidding. Never mind. Tell him I’ll be there.”

  She rolled back into the covers, savoring the idea that the meeting with the president was the only thing she had to do today. After a year of a tightly packed schedule, it would take some adjusting to slow down her schedule, but a few weeks in an over-the-water bungalow in the islands should help. Her small D.C. office could handle things in her absence, especially since the time between now and the inauguration would be a period of recovery for everyone involved in campaign politics. The recent election would be dissected, but no one would be making hard and fast decisions about future elections until the new year. The meeting today at the White House was probably some kind of campaign wrap-up. The president’s staff would be eager to get back to the business of running the country after a long haul trying to hold on to their jobs.

  She was happy for the win, but she didn’t feel the need to rehash it. Tangible proof of her good work was the money in her bank account, and she planned to spend a chunk of it traveling. But as a favor to the man who’d made her business what it was today, she’d show up for the meeting, nod, and smile at all the backslappers.

  At eleven fifteen, she took a cab to the White House. After winding her way past a group of picketers hoisting placards with messages about abortion and gun rights, she made her way to the visitors’ entrance. The Secret Service agent at the gate offered a rare smile and congratulations on the outcome of the election. He waved her through security, and within moments, she was in the building. As she walked through the halls, she couldn’t help thinking of Addison Riley and the first time they’d met. Even with everything she’d had on her mind at the time, she’d been captivated by her. The way things had ended last night, she was certain Addison had no desire to see her again. The level of her disappointment surprised her, considering she barely knew Addison. Just as well, though. She didn’t need to be dating at all, let alone a woman as strong-headed as Addison Riley. What she needed was a beach babe who cared about nothing more than helping her put sunscreen on those hard to reach spots. One more day.

  When she reached the Oval Office, Garrett’s secretary, Sue, stood and gave her a hug.

  “Congratulations, Julia.”

  “Thanks, Sue. It’s a good day.”

  “With many more to come.”

  There it was again. Everyone thinking about the future. They all expected Julia would join in, make plans for what happened next. After all, she’d directed every action, big and small, over the course of the last year and a half. She resisted the pull. “I’m sure the next four years have a lot in store. As for me, I’m headed to a faraway beach tomorrow.”

  Sue looked confused. “Beach? But I thought—”

  “Julia!” Garrett stood in the doorway to his office. “Thanks for coming. Hope you’re hungry.” He didn’t wait for her response, instead ducking back into his office. When she followed, he led her through the spacious room and out into a small corridor on the other side. Julia knew exactly where they were headed, and when they finally wound up in the president’s private dining room, she nodded at the waiter arranging their lunch. Garrett motioned for Julia to have a seat at the table. While she dug into the delicious food, he steepled his fingers and appeared to be contemplating what to say.

  Julia cut to the chase. “The food is great, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t invite me here to feed me. As much as I enjoy your company, I have a trip to pack for. What’s up?”

  “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. About how valuable you’ve been over the years. I’m not sure I ever would’ve been reelected to congress without you, and this election…well, it was nothing short of a miracle.”

  “I hesitate to say this since I haven’t cashed my final check, but I think a lot of the credit for Tuesday’s victory should go to Governor Briscoe. I don’t think there’s been an October surprise that incredible in my lifetime.”

  Garrett spoke. “We’re still breaking down the numbers, but it’s not that simple. Common wisdom says that when the conservative Right loses their candidate, they just skip that box on the ballot. But in our case, the numbers show Democratic voters were galvanized after the news break. I have to credit your judgment about how we handled the news for the bump in the polls. Because of that, the party won a ton of down ticket races that were too close to call as late as last week. We kept control of the Senate and no one predicted that would happen, even with Governor Briscoe’s penis problem.”

  “Fine. If you’re saying you want to give me a bonus, I’ll take it.”

  Garrett took a deep breath. “I have a bonus for you, but it might not be the kind you’re thinking of.”

  Julia had a sneaking suspicion she knew what he had in mind. “Out with it. I barely have time to hear what you have to say, let alone make you understand I’m not interested.”

  “You haven’t even heard the offer yet.”

  “Mr. President, you’ve worked with me for years. You know what I will do and what I won’t do. If you’re about to ask me to take a job in your administration, then you could’ve saved yourself a lot of trouble, and you know that. I’m not cut out to work for anyone other than myself.”

  “At least hear me out.”

  “Fine, but dessert better be spectacular.”

  “With a team of pastry chefs at my disposal, I think I can guarantee that. Here’s what we have in mind. Most of my staff, including Noah, are going to spend the next sixty days setting a second term agenda and preparing for a State of the Union no one thought I would be giving. But I have one other huge task that needs to be done as quickly as possible, and that’s what I’d like you to help with. You’d be a senior advisor to the president, and you’d report directly to me. You’d have a team of your own choosing and any resources you need to get the job done. When it’s over, you can get on the next plane to wherever your heart desires.”

  She sighed. “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the job?”

  “Help us vet the next chief justice and get him through the nomination process.”

  She laughed out loud at the irony. Last night, she’d told Addison she barely had any interest in the subject, and now she was being asked to head up the process. In response to the president’s surprised look, she merely said, “Sorry, I was thinking of something else.” She took another bite of her salad, and while she chewed she considered what he’d said. “Wait a minute, you said he? You already have someone in mind don’t you?”

  “Not necessarily, but while we were finishing up the campaign, Noah put together a list of names. There are some big issues pending before the court, and he thinks,” he cleared his throat, “I mean I thin
k it’s a good idea to make the appointment a priority.”

  “Not to mention, you’d probably like to start your next term without all the protestors out front.”

  “True.”

  “Who’s your guy?”

  “Judge Landry, Fourth Circuit.”

  “Interesting choice.”

  “You think so?”

  “Actually, I think he’s probably the dullest choice you can make, which makes it a super safe selection. And he’s been confirmed before, so it should be a breeze to get him through. Not sure what you need me for.”

  “I can’t afford to start this term with any stumbles. I want this confirmation to go off without a hitch.”

  “Good plan. How do you see this playing out?”

  “I’ll provide you with a full team to help, and you can start vetting a group of candidates. You’ll explore a wide range of possibilities, but settle on a short list where Landry shines.”

  Julia ignored his references to what she would be doing if she were to take the job. “By the time you name your choice, Landry will be the golden boy compared to the possible contenders.”

  “Exactly. His confirmation should sail through.”

  “Sounds like a piece of cake. You don’t need me, and you, of all people, should know why I have no desire to get involved in Senate politics.”

  He reached across the table and grasped her hand. “I promise this is the last time I’ll ask for your help. Noah thinks we can get this done on our own, and I know you don’t believe in all that serve at the pleasure of the president crap, but I’d feel better, more confident, if we had you on our team. Just this one last time.”

  Julia avoided his eyes while she considered the offer, because she knew if she met his gaze, she’d see a reflection of the debt she owed and could never repay. She’d always been clear with him that she wouldn’t take a job in the administration, but what he was asking was short-term, temporary. She ticked off all the other factors. Low government pay wasn’t an issue. She made more money in one campaign than most people make in several years’ worth of government work. These days, she was her own boss, in charge of her own destiny. She set her own hours and decided who she would work for. If she took this job, even for the short-term, she’d give up her freedom, not to mention her long-awaited vacation.

  Clear blue ocean, strong cool drinks, and sandy white beaches beckoned. These were the things she craved, the reward for all her hard work. But even they wouldn’t last. In a few weeks, she’d get the itch and she’d find another campaign to pique her interest. She knew he’d asked her to take on this task because it was a lot like a campaign. And a Supreme Court justice confirmation didn’t come along very often. And her debt would be repaid.

  “I’ll do it. On one condition.”

  Chapter Eight

  A week after her fateful date with Julia Scott, Addison Riley was completely immersed in end of the semester preparations. Her assistant, Roger Lloyd, sat in front of her desk, taking notes on his iPad.

  “Please schedule a faculty meeting for the week before Thanksgiving. I’d like to make sure everyone has what they need for exams before they scatter for the holidays.”

  “Will do.” Roger closed the cover of his tablet and stood. “It’s almost lunchtime. Would you like me to order you something?”

  “Actually, I got a call from Senator Armstrong just before you came in this morning. We’re meeting for lunch. She made the reservations so I’m all set.”

  “Tell the senator I said hello.” Roger had been with her for years, following her from the solicitor general’s office, to private practice, to the law school. Addison thought him capable of so much more than running her professional life, but he’d insisted that working for her was as fulfilling a job as he could ever hope to have.

  Addison spent another half hour reviewing the final details of the coming year’s budget in preparation for the regents meeting that night, and then she grabbed her coat and took her car into the city. Senator Armstrong had chosen The Capital Grille, the scene of her disastrous date with Julia Scott. As she’d done many times since that night, Addison contemplated the conversation from that evening, as if she could cipher out a different ending. She couldn’t make it work.

  And why should she? Julia seemed committed to noncommittment. She’d just gotten a man elected to the most powerful office in the world, and her only concern was which white sandy beach would be best to place her towel. Her theory about the Supreme Court nomination likely had Weir rolling over in his grave. At the very least, it demonstrated how little Julia cared about the issues behind the politics that were her bread and butter. No matter how striking, no matter how magnetic, she needed to stop thinking about Julia. Definitely a case of flash over substance.

  Senator Connie Armstrong was waiting just inside the restaurant and gave her a strong hug. They’d been friends since law school and had kept in touch despite their divergent career paths. The Texas senator came from a long line of lawyers who’d made their wealth in oil and gas. She’d worked at one of the state’s largest, most prestigious firms that also happened to bear her family name. Her name recognition and money came in particularly handy when she’d run for statewide election. She’d chosen precisely the right time. Texas had turned blue again for the first time since Ann Richards had been elected governor, and she rode the wave of liberal enthusiasm to an easy victory. She’d served her state well, and many were predicting she’d be the presumptive presidential nominee in four years. But to Addison, she was simply Connie, the first person she met when she arrived at Yale Law School.

  Once they were seated, Connie launched in. “We have a lot to talk about. Let’s order big fat steaks and big glasses of bourbon.”

  Addison considered the rest of her day. No meetings scheduled, but tons of reports to review and the budget to finalize. “I’m in for the steak, but cut me off after a glass of wine. I’ve got a board of regents meeting tonight and a lot of explaining to do.”

  “Maybe you should serve wine at the meeting. A little red goes a long way.”

  “I suppose that’s true, but I think I’d best be on the safe side this time.”

  “Always the good girl. I suppose I should expect no less.”

  They ordered and then Connie turned the conversation to the holidays. “Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?”

  “Dad wants me to fly home. Jack’s planning to be there, and I’d love to see him. Just a matter of timing and how much I can get done between now and then. Why in the world do we have exams planned to take place right around the holidays? It’s a curse for students and staff. When you’re leader of the free world, could you do something about that?”

  “It’s a rite of passage. We had to go through it. Why would you want to let everyone else off the hook? But you shouldn’t let any of that get in the way. Go see your family. Family is important. Speaking of important people, anyone special in your life right now?”

  Addison’s mind flashed first to Eva and then to Julia. “No. I mean…no.”

  Connie laughed. “And your final answer is?”

  “Don’t make fun of me. I don’t know what the deal is. I’m finally settled in a career that, despite being very challenging, doesn’t require round-the-clock work, but the only women I meet are either intimidated by my position or they’re turned off by it.”

  “Examples.”

  “The last two years, I’ve had a thing with one of the fellows, but according to her, our relationship has to be a secret because it just wouldn’t be good for her reputation to be dating the dean.”

  “Don’t shit where you eat. I get it.”

  Connie had always been crass, but Addison turned it back on her. “That’s just the thing. She’s perfectly willing to…you know, but it just has to be a secret.”

  “She scared for anyone to know she’s a gal’s gal?”

  Addison shook her head. “She teaches Women in the Law. What do you think?”

  Connie laughed h
er big, bold laugh. “Gotcha. Well, cross her off the list. She’s not worth your time. Anyone else?”

  Addison started to mention Julia, but stopped short, sticking instead with a vague reference. “No one who isn’t where I was four years ago.”

  “Career first, love last.”

  “Exactly.”

  “You like this dean gig? Seems like it might be a little boring after what you’re used to.”

  “I like it. Yes, it’s different. I’m not on call twenty-four seven, which took some getting used to.” As solicitor general, Addison had been charged with representing the federal government in cases pending in the Supreme Court. Even with a large staff, she’d had her hands full. As a former judicial clerk, she’d been well suited for the job, but as the youngest person to ever hold the position, she’d worked extra hard to make sure no one ever questioned she was the right choice.

  “Just seems like you’re wasting your talents.”

  “How so?”

  “You spent years shaping the law. You really don’t miss that kind of power?”

  “I’m shaping young lawyers. That’s pretty powerful stuff.”

  “True, true.” Connie took a big swallow from her glass of bourbon. “Tell me about Justice Weir. What kind of person do you think he’d want to replace him?”

  Addison wasn’t surprised by the question considering Connie was the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and de facto gatekeeper to confirmation for whoever the president chose as Weir’s successor. “I guess I’d have to say he’d want whoever took his seat to be honest, compassionate, and smart. Not necessarily in that order.”

  “I can’t believe we lost him.”

  Addison nodded. “There will never be another like him. Whoever the president chooses will have big shoes to fill.”