Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
The room erupts and the energy skyrockets.. Even the more staid partygoers seem to be affected by the youthful enthusiasm the students emit.
“If we get this much juice from the exploratory committee announcement,” Kimba says from the corner of her brightly painted mouth, “imagine when he announces that he’s actually running.”
I nod my agreement, about to speak when I notice Maxim standing against the wall watching me. Before I realize what I’m doing, I take a step in his direction.
“Lenn,” Kimba says, jerking my attention away from Maxim and halting my steps. “Mark wants you in the back.”
By the time I speed walk to the back and answer the producer’s questions, Owen is wrapping up.
“So over the next few months,” Owen says, “my team, my family, and I will continue to kick the tires and see how far this should go.”
The students start chanting, “ALL THE WAY! ALL THE WAY!”
Owen smiles and holds up his hand to quiet the crowd so he can land the plane.
“There’s a lot ahead,” he says. “We hope soon to herald in a new era of politics in this, our great nation. Tonight, though, we’re heralding a new year. Grab a glass of champagne and find the ones you want to be closest to. I’ll be back in a few minutes to count in another great year. Thank you again for coming.”
I search the crowded room for Maxim, finding him still leaning on the wall with his arms folded, the ambassador’s daughter stuck to his side like flypaper. My hands ball into fists, my fingernails digging into my palms.
“Just staring,” Kimba says from beside me, “won’t get him.”
I didn’t even notice her come up, I was so fixated on them.
“What?” I drag my eyes away from the two glamorous people across the room, him a dark contrast to her fairness. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Come on, Lenn,” Kimba says, her usual no-nonsense tone somewhat gentled. “This is your girl. Talk to me.”
For a moment, I plan to ignore the frank sympathy in my best friend’s eyes, to tough it out and pretend I’m not in the midst of some kind of existential crisis, but I’m tired of holding this armor in place. It’s slipping anyway.
“He asked for another chance,” I say after a pause. “Maxim, he said he was young and stupid and made a mistake before. He asked me to forgive him.”
Kimba nods slowly, dipping her head to catch my lowered eyes. “And have you forgiven him?”
My laugh comes quick and hollow. “Well, yeah. I guess somewhere along the way, I did.”
“Praise Jesus. I was gonna give you ’til the end of this campaign, honey, and then smack some sense into you.”
“That won’t be necessary. At least, I don’t think so.” I glance across the room where he stands with the Russian princess. “If he’s even still interested.”
“Oh, he’s interested.” Kimba follows my stare. “He’s a patient man.”
“Not really,” I say with a laugh. “Quite the opposite, but he’s trying.”
“Then why keep him waiting? Talk to him. Tell him tonight.”
I glance at my watch. “The toast is in ten minutes.”
“The hard part is over for now. Owen’ll come back and do the countdown and then the New Year’s Eve toast.”
“And then the CNN interview,” I remind her.
She rolls her eyes up to Millie’s glittering chandelier and expels a lengthy sigh. “Screw it. I’ll do the interview.”
I press the back of my hand to her forehead.
“What are you doing?” she asks, her expression puzzled.
“Checking for fever.”
Her laugh is hearty. “You better go get that man before I change my mind.”
“You sure?”
“Girl, what’d I say?”
“Thank you.” I smile and loop my arms around her neck. “Happy New Year.”
I draw a deep breath and cross the room toward Maxim, growing more confident with each step. It seems to take forever, but finally I’m standing right in front of him. He glances up, his posture indolent, his hands in his pockets, but his eyes are sharp and questioning.
I don’t look at the beautiful blond standing next to him but address him directly.
“How do I get rid of her?” I ask, borrowing his question about Wallace that day in the coffee shop.
She gasps and then chuckles, surprising me into glancing at her. She really is exquisite. Her brown eyes are amused, not offended, and her smile is natural and blinding.
Maxim tips his head to the side, watching me. “Katya, could you give us a minute?”
“Of course,” Katya says, her accent thick and sexy. “Also, I told you. I knew what I was doing.”
Conversations continue around us, but we stare at each other for seconds that stretch into a minute.
“What did she mean?” I finally ask. “When she said she knew what she was doing?”
A small smile crooks his full lips. “She thought I should make you jealous.”
“Why would she… How does she know me?”