Courtship

by Carsen Taite

  Back to business again. “Understood. What time should I be here?”

  “Let’s start at ten. I’m not much of a morning person.”

  “Thank goodness.” She glanced around. “I guess I should find my father.”

  “I think he’s taken over the West Wing. Going to clean out the place.”

  “He’s a bit much, I know.”

  “He’s fine. Gives you broad appeal to have a soldier brother and a conservative dad.”

  “Glad I could use my family for something.”

  “Too bad your mother couldn’t be here or you’d have the perfect pedigree.”

  Addison looked away to hide the tears she could feel forming.

  “I’m sorry. That was a jerk thing to say. I only meant…”

  “It’s okay. I know what you meant. She was a great woman and she would’ve loved this.”

  “I’m sure she would’ve been beyond proud, but I’m sure your father is proud too.”

  “In his way.”

  “Hey, would you like to have dinner? I mean, we could talk about the senators on the committee, get an early start on prep…”

  Julia’s voice trailed off, and Addison sensed she was sorry she’d asked the question. Well, she’d give her an easy out. “Thanks, but Dad’s staying the night and I promised him the thickest steak east of Dallas.”

  “Of course. Of course. Enjoy your evening. See you in the morning.”

  Julia started to leave, but Addison touched her shoulder. “Wait.” Looking into Julia’s expectant eyes, Addison lost her words. She’d stopped her from leaving without any plan as to what she would say if she stayed. A few beats of silence passed before she recovered and said, “Why don’t you join me? Us. For dinner. Dad would love it.”

  Julia’s grin was infectious. “Well, if Dad would love it, I can hardly say no. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  She turned and was gone before Addison could reply. She watched Julia cross the room and strike up a conversation with a young woman she didn’t recognize. They stood close and engaged in whispered conversation, heads together, like conspirators. Or something more.

  A moment later, the woman Julia had been speaking to crossed the room and said, “Ms. Scott asked me to help you and your father find your way out whenever you are ready to go. I’m Violet, an intern.”

  Her jealousy had been wasted. Feeling silly, Addison nodded to Violet, even as she scanned the room. Julia was gone and she couldn’t wait to see her again.

  She turned back to Violet. “I think we’re ready to go now.” No sense pretending there was anyone else she wanted to see as much as the woman who’d just left the room.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Julia pushed her plate away and leaned back in her seat. “I can’t eat another bite.”

  “Me neither.” Addison turned to her father. “Dad, how about you? The desserts here are amazing.”

  As if on cue, the waiter appeared, dessert and after-drink menus in hand.

  John Riley tossed his napkin on the table. “Not me. I’m stuffed and too damn tired to shove another bite of food in my mouth.” He turned to Julia. “Can I trust you to make sure my daughter gets home? I think I’m going to call it an early night.”

  Julia shot a look at Addison. Would she leave with her father or stay behind? She knew what she wanted her to do, but Addison’s furrowed brow said she was undecided. In an effort to tip the scales, she said, “I do have a few more items to go over with her, and I promise I’ll take good care of her. Let me get my driver to give you a lift.”

  John stood. “Not a chance. I need to stretch my legs.” He shook her hand and then leaned over and kissed Addison on the cheek. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Seconds later, he was out of sight.

  “Well, I guess no one wanted to know how I felt about being left behind,” Addison said.

  “Did you want to go with him?”

  “And spend another few hours listening to him talk about politics? I’ve had all I can take for a while.” Addison shook her head and then looked at Julia, her eyes wide. “Wait, please tell me you don’t plan to spend the rest of the evening discussing the confirmation process. Do you?”

  Julia drummed her fingers on the table and drew out her words to keep Addison in suspense. “I guess we could find something else to talk about. After all, we’re going to spend the next few weeks talking about nothing but the hearings. Did you have something particular in mind?”

  “How about I buy you a glass of that scotch you like to celebrate with, and we take it from there?”

  Julia raised an imaginary glass to toast the proposition, but before she could say anything else, she was interrupted by a voice over her shoulder.

  “Dean Riley, Emily Pierson, from the Post. I waited until I saw you were done with dinner, but I wondered if I might have five minutes to ask you a couple of questions.”

  Addison opened her mouth to answer, but Julia beat her to it. “Dean Riley is not giving any interviews this evening. You should have your paper’s White House correspondent contact the press office if you’d like an interview. They will be happy to make the arrangements.” At the last word, she turned her back on the reporter, willing her to vanish.

  She hovered a moment longer, but then slunk away in defeat. When she was gone, Addison leaned over and whispered, “Think you might have been a little hard on her?”

  Julia smiled at her naiveté. “You have no idea how many alleged reporters are going to crawl out of the woodwork in the next month. They will all want a piece of you or to tear you into pieces. The gay rags will want you to be their poster girl, and the conservative pundits will serve you as the main course for the mid-term elections. That kid is a blogger. She doesn’t have White House credentials, and she never will because all she ever does is write subjective pieces with little to no fact-checking. The White House correspondent for the Post probably doesn’t even know her name. Trust me, by the time this is over, you will wish I’d been harder on these leeches.”

  “I got some press attention when I was appointed solicitor general. I think I handled myself pretty well.”

  “From Beltway insiders, right? And mostly because you were a novelty since you were so young. Most Americans don’t know what a solicitor general is or even that there is such a thing. This is a whole new game. You’re bright, you’re beautiful, and you’re up for a lifetime appointment to the highest seat in the highest court in the land. You’re going to attract a ton of attention, and part of my job is to keep things on track until you’re confirmed. Talking to two-bit reporters on the fly is out of the question.” She finished her speech and took a drink of water. Addison was staring at her with an unreadable expression on her face. “What?”

  “Beautiful, huh?”

  Julia grinned. “Absolutely.” For a moment, she wanted to believe she was here with Addison for no reason other than to enjoy the evening. Enjoy each other. They’d order after-dinner drinks and linger over them while talking about whatever people who went on dates talked about. She’d have to work on that part, but she was willing. More than willing—she wanted to.

  But they weren’t on a date, and their every move was likely being watched by D.C. gossips and local reporters. She glanced around. For all she knew the waiter had accepted a bribe to relay the details of their conversation to the highest bidder. She should say good night to Addison and they should go their separate ways. Tomorrow, they could start fresh, as colleagues working toward a single goal.

  And then she had a better idea. “What do you say we share that celebratory drink somewhere more private?”

  Addison’s grin lit the room. “Great idea.”

  Before she could change her mind, Julia flagged down the waiter.

  “Did you change your mind about dessert?” he asked.

  Forcing back a smile at the double entendre, she asked for the check.

  The waiter shook his head. “The gentleman who was with you paid the bill.”

  Ju
lia looked at Addison who shrugged. “He’s old-fashioned like that.”

  “Then I guess I better take good care of you, like I promised. Wouldn’t want him to be waiting at the door with a shotgun when I finally bring you home.”

  With the subtlest of motions, Addison slid a hand onto her knee. “I’m a big girl. I can stay out as late as I want. Shall we go?”

  Warmth flooded Julia. Could Addison see the blush rise in her cheeks? Did she care?

  She should. She was about to take Addison back to her house, pour her drinks, and see where that led. Warning bells clanged loudly in her head. She’s a candidate, a client, a…

  No matter where her thoughts led, she kept coming back to one thing. Addison was a beautiful woman who sent sexual signals only an idiot couldn’t read. Julia knew what should happen. They should say good night. Go their separate ways. Let hours of sleep and space get between them so they could focus on the job ahead.

  Knowing what she should do did nothing to stop the cascade of anticipation that came with what she wanted to do. If she didn’t take Addison home, see where things led, she wouldn’t sleep. And hours of separation would only make her want her more. Willing her internal voices to shut up, Julia stood and accepted Addison’s invitation. “Let’s go.”

  *

  Julia’s home looked exactly the same as it had the last time she’d been here. Not a thing out of place, not a speck of dust, no shoes by the front door, no coats hanging over the back of chairs. Addison followed Julia to the kitchen, noting that it too looked pristine. “Do you actually live here?”

  Julia, head in the fridge, looked over her shoulder with a puzzled expression. “What?”

  Addison wiped a finger along the counter. “You’re either a huge neat freak, which scares me a little, or this is really a model home that you bring…” She let the words trail away, not ready to name the reason she was here, in Julia’s house, so late in the evening.

  Julia emerged from the fridge with a bottle in her hand and a grin on her face. “I’m not a neat freak, but my housekeeper is. I’m a little scared of her to tell the truth.” She pointed at the bottle. “I have one last bottle of Dom. Are you game?”

  Addison reached for the bottle, eager to do something with her hands. As she worked the champagne cork, Julia leaned against the counter, appearing to ponder something.

  “The idea of having a place just to bring women home to, isn’t a bad one though,” Julia said. “I’m just not sure I have the energy to keep up those kind of appearances. When I’m in town for long periods of time, you’re likely to find socks on the floor and dirty dishes in the sink. I’m kind of a slob.”

  “I doubt that.” Addison handed her a glass. “So, do you have much need for such a place?”

  “Place?”

  “You know, to bring women home to?”

  “Are you asking me if I bring women home with me on a regular basis?” Julia scrunched her brow as if she were giving the matter some thought, while a slight smile played around the edges of her lips. “Well, if you must know—”

  At that very moment, the cork shot across the kitchen with a loud pop. Addison set the foaming bottle on the countertop and threw her hands in the air. “Damn, that was loud. I’m sorry. I’m usually not such a klutz, and I promise this is not the first bottle of champagne I’ve opened.” Julia stepped to her side, so close she could almost feel her. The idea that she could lean just slightly to the left and be in her space sent a flush through her. She rambled to stave the heat. “Guess it’s a good thing sommelier is not one of the skills required for the Supreme Court. Tell me where I can find a towel and I’ll—”

  Her long speech was halted by the hard press of Julia’s lips against hers. Julia’s soft, yet firm touch was exactly as she remembered from their first, their only, kiss. She parted her lips and enjoyed the rush of heat that flooded her body at the expectation Julia would move deeper, but when she did, her knees buckled from the intensity as their tongues touched. When Julia pulled back, Addison was certain her life had changed.

  “Do you need to sit down?” Julia asked.

  “I have lots of needs right now, but that’s not on the list.” She leaned against the counter. “You are an amazing kisser.”

  Julia poured them each a glass of the now settled champagne and raised her glass in a toast. “To amazing kissers.”

  She bowed and Addison felt the warm glow of a blush. Or maybe it was just the heat from being so close to this amazingly attractive and charismatic woman.

  “Oh, and I was saying before you decided to spray bubbly all over my kitchen, I’ve never brought another woman here.”

  “Here?” Addison was certain her ability to hear was impaired by the fact all of her senses were focused on the thrum of arousal beating just below her skin. All she could think about was Julia’s lips and her hands, touching, taking.

  “Here in my house.” Julia paused and then said, “You’re the first woman I’ve ever asked here.”

  Addison shook away the haze, conscious that Julia had just made a big admission, one that deserved more than a hazy nod. She pulled Julia closer and raised her glass. “Then let’s toast to first times.”

  They clinked glasses and then set them on the counter. An awkward moment of silence followed, as if neither of them was able to decide on the next move. Addison spoke first. “Are you glad you asked me here?”

  “Of course.”

  “What would your boss say?”

  “I work for myself.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I have no doubt he would approve in my choice of a date.” Julia took a long swallow of her champagne. “In the abstract, anyway.”

  “No sleeping with the candidates?” Julia’s face darkened, and Addison regretted her words. “Sorry, I suppose your professionalism is not really my concern. You don’t work for me, and I have to tell you that right now I’m so attracted to you, I’m not sure I would care if you were a Republican.” She smiled to add some levity, hoping Julia’s lighthearted mood would return.

  Julia shook her head. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry. It’s nothing you said. Well, it is, but it’s not your fault. I have a bit of a reputation that I’ve spent a long time running from. What you said about sleeping with candidates hit a little close to home.”

  Addison motioned to the kitchen table. “This sounds like a conversation to be had while sitting.”

  Julia’s expression was pained. “I’m not certain I want to have this conversation with you at all.”

  She’d thrown up a barrier, and Addison had two choices. Break it down or walk away, because she knew that after months with Eva and her self-imposed boundaries, she couldn’t be with a woman who put obstacles in their path. She stared at Julia, who, for the first time since they’d met seemed vulnerable, hesitant. As much as she was attracted to the super confident, headstrong version, she found herself strangely drawn to this side of Julia, and she wasn’t about to let anything get in the way.

  “Well, let’s see,” she said. “If you don’t already, I imagine in the next few weeks you will know absolutely everything about me from my favorite food to the details of my first short and silly relationship in college. And not only will you know, but your staff, the president, the president’s chief of staff, and at least a handful of senators will have a full file of my exploits, good and bad, at their disposal.”

  “I sincerely doubt you’ve ever done anything that you’re ashamed of.”

  Addison heard the fear in Julia’s voice, the trepidation, and she reached out a hand and waited until she had her full attention before saying, “Everyone makes mistakes.”

  “My job doesn’t allow for them.”

  “No, what you mean is that because everything you do is in the public eye, your mistakes are magnified. That doesn’t mean they are really bigger, just means they feel bigger.”

  “Are you always this rational?”

  “Yes.” In response to Julia’s widened eye
s, Addison grinned. “Okay, no, not always. But here’s the deal. You’ve already admitted you have a bit of a reputation, which means whatever’s keeping you on guard, is already available for public consumption. Telling me isn’t going to make it more real. In fact, owning it, right here, right now, might remove some of the sting. Now that you’ve gotten me curious, don’t you think I could find out anyway?”

  “Spoken like a true lawyer.”

  “Takes one to know one.”

  Julia put her hands in the air. “Touché, counselor.”

  “Ah, now we’ve moved to pet names. Don’t think you’re going to charm me off the subject.” Addison squeezed Julia’s hand, hoping she felt the strength she was sending her way. Whatever it was Julia had to share, she needed to get it off her chest. And once she had, maybe they could explore whatever was happening between them.

  *

  Dredging up the past had not been on Julia’s list of planned activities for the evening. Then again, none of this had been planned. From Addison’s impromptu invitation for her to join her and her father for dinner, to John Riley leaving them alone at the restaurant, to inviting Addison back to her house.

  No, if she were going to plan an evening with Addison, she would have put a lot more thought into it, which was a deep departure from her usual ways, but it would definitely not have included sharing her biggest personal and professional failure.

  “It wasn’t a candidate.” She blurted out the words and waited to see if they met a soft landing. Addison nodded and took a drink of her champagne. The neutral reaction spurred her on. “And the sleeping with part, well, that was just one, albeit humiliating, piece of the puzzle.”

  Addison sat forward on her chair, their knees now almost touching. Attentive, close, but not smothering. Julia kept talking. “I always wanted to work in politics. Dreamed about it from my very first debate in junior high. I was a congressional page in high school, and I interned every summer of college and law school with various representatives. When I graduated, I started working in legislative affairs, reporting directly to the Speaker of the House. I never wanted to be a politician, but I loved being at the heart of lawmaking, and I was really, really good at what I did.”