Read Online Rumor Has It by Cheris Hodges - Free Book Online

opinion, was a cause-of-the-moment candidate. Sure, he was hitting the hot topics, but did he have what it really took to be in it for the long haul? What if he got bored? The new district deserved better. Robert had been studying politics for years. He sat on the right local boards and, in Liza’s opinion, this seat had his name written all over it.
    Once she arrived at the shelter, things were in full swing. Cameras were everywhere and Chante was by Robert’s side with a bright smile on her face. They look so good together, Liza thought as she headed toward them.
    â€œYou’re late,” Nic said, grabbing her arm before she reached her friends. “I thought you were going to help me coordinate the media arrivals and interviews?”
    â€œNic, I have a job, you know? Clients who pay me.”
    â€œAs I recall, you volunteered to do this. You’re supposed to be here for your friend.”
    She glanced at Nic’s hand but stopped herself from pushing it away and making a scene. “Look and listen, Nic. I’ve had Robert’s back for longer than you’ve known him. So, don’t you ever question my loyalty to him! Now, if you’re done, I’m going to greet my friends.”
    He dropped his hand and nodded as Liza strode away. She fumed but pasted a smile on her face as she hugged Robert and Chante.
    â€œWhere have you been?” Chante asked. “You missed the excitement.”
    â€œWhat excitement?” she asked, immediately going into crisis mode.
    Chante tapped her shoulder. “Nothing bad, but a lot of excited people ready to elect Robert as their next senator. We registered a lot of voters and . . .” Chante held up her left hand. The diamond engagement ring on her finger sparkled in the sun. “Robert asked me to marry him.”
    Liza squealed and hugged her best friend, then punched Robert on the shoulder. “You sly dog,” she teased.
    â€œHey,” he said, “where’s my hug and congratulations? I get punched. What kind of sense does that make?” Liza hugged him tightly.
    â€œCongratulations. You two are going to be so happy,” she said.
    â€œI know,” Robert said when he and Liza parted. He took Chante’s hand in his and kissed it. The beaming smile on Chante’s face warmed Liza’s heart and she pushed her thoughts of the engagement being a political stunt deep down. Robert wouldn’t do that. Maybe love at first sight really does exist.
    â€œHey, Robert,” Nic called out as he rushed over to him. “Senator Patrick is here.”
    â€œSenator Patrick?” Nic nodded and pushed Robert in the direction of the retired and revered senator. Liza and Chante just smiled and waited for the men to leave so that they could dish.
    â€œHow did he ask you to marry him? Was it romantic?”
    Chante smiled and stroked her ring. “We were unloading the donations that I’d gotten from the office of business clothes for the women and he pointed to this box on the floor. He said, ‘Babe, you dropped something.’”
    Cornball , Liza thought while smiling.
    â€œI picked it up and I’m thinking someone messed up. Rob was like, open it. And there was this ring. Then he got down on one knee and said, ‘Marry me.’”
    â€œWere there cameras around?”
    Chante slapped her hand on her hip. “No, Liza! Everything is not a media event.”
    Liza threw her hands up. “I was just asking.”
    â€œI wonder about you sometimes.” Chante raised her eyebrow at her friend, then smiled.
    â€œI’m a sucker for whirlwind romances,” Liza said. “You have to let me throw you two an engagement party.”
    â€œSomething small with no cameras or Twitter updates?”
    â€œOf course. I’m sorry I missed it, but I was stuck on the phone with Claude. I had to drop him as a client today.”
    â€œReally? Why? I thought he was a profitable