Read Online A Political Affair by Mary Whitney - Free Book Online

why she felt so crushed when she saw him with Congresswoman Schultz. Anne didn’t have a claim on him, but she wasn’t crazy. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but something is happening between us. Something is going on here, right now.  
    “Thank you, Sen—”
    “Please . . . don’t call me that. Not when we’re like this. Please, call me Stephen,” he said softly.
    “Okay.” Proven right, she smiled and became more self-assured. “Thank you, Stephen.”
    “That’s a pretty dress.”
    “Oh, this one?” She looked down and shook her head. “Ironically, the last time I wore this was at Dan Langford’s daughter’s wedding.”
    “Really?”  
    “Yeah, it’s kind of a crazy story . . . well, the dress isn’t, but the night was. It was a mess, or I was mess.”
    “Tell me about it.” He smiled and leaned against the railing on the wall.
    “I don’t know.” She laughed. “I wasn’t on my best and brightest behavior.”
    “Oh, God.” He chuckled. “I’ve spent most of my life not on my best and brightest behavior. Tell me your story. I’m intrigued Langford is in it.”
    “Well, I guess I can.” She hoped he’d find it funny. “It was two years ago. My brother, Mark, was home from med school, and it was the day of the wedding. Without telling us, my mom had RSVP’d for the whole family. My brother and I were irritated, and we argued with her. Mark finally agreed to go, but he filled his flask with vodka beforehand.”
    “Uh-oh.”
    “Yeah.” She giggled. “Anyway, it turned out there wasn’t any alcohol at the reception because Langford’s family doesn’t drink.   Both my mom and dad grumbled about not believing in weddings without a real toast, but Mark kept smiling and patting his suit jacket like he was prepared. At the dinner, we were stuck at the table with the minister and his wife, and they started asking us if we’ve been saved, where we go to church, and all that. My mom tried to be polite and told them her father was a Presbyterian minister, but my dad wouldn’t even talk to them. He hates evangelicals—he thinks they invade his privacy. Meanwhile, Mark was in the bathroom getting drunk.”
    “Sounds like he had the right plan.”
    “I know! I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I found Mark and made him give me a few swigs. We left the reception early and met up with friends at a local bar that never cards so I could get it in. He left after an hour or so, but I stayed and got really drunk.”
    “This doesn’t sound so bad—”
    “Well, when we left the bar, I barely could walk in my heels. I fell on my ass right in front of a cop and got arrested for public intoxication and being a minor under the influence.”
    “Oh, not good.” He winced. “What did your dad do?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Well, Elton Norwood, District Attorney, was pissed. I mean really pissed. I was in the friggin’ jail, and he came down to give me a speech about how he wouldn’t use his influence to get me out because it was his duty to enforce the law in Summit County. But as my father, he’d pay my bail and stand by me at my trial.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Oh, yes. Luckily, the sheriff on duty that night took pity on me when he learned I was turning twenty-one the next month. He let me go.”
    “So that’s the story of this dress.”
    “That’s right.” She smiled.
    “I can’t believe your dad didn’t get you out. My dad always did.”
    “Maybe that’s the difference between having a Republican versus a Democrat dad.”
    “Maybe so. Though I’ve been in trouble more than just once.”
    “Well, you’re a lot older than me.” She laughed, but stopped when she noticed he wasn’t smiling. “I’m sorry. That was really rude. Please forgive me.”
    As her earnest eyes pled with him, Stephen was quiet for a second. He wasn’t upset with her; he was upset with his predicament. He’d just enjoyed a nice chat, but now he faced one of the realities dividing