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A mild buzz relaxed me enough to mingle and let Grant talk business with some of the guests. Valerie avoided me and I was fine with that. I didn’t have time to pretend to be civil with her. A young man I hadn’t seen before handed me amartini.
“The Senator sent this over,” he said, smiling sheepishly. He had a mop of curly red-brown hair, a pale complexion, and a smattering of freckles. He was dressed in slacks and polo, a man of medium height. “AndrewSpencer.”
I placed my empty glass on the side table meant for used glasses and accepted the proffered drink. “BlaireCallahan.”
“I know. The senator mentioned I should check out the woman who’s finally captured his son’sheart.”
I emitted a nervous laugh, and took a healthy sip of the martini. “I think the senator is jumping to conclusions. And why would he send youover?”
The smile faded. “I’m one of his politicaladvisors.”
My lips paused on the rim of the glass. “Ah …” So it began, the grooming and coaching, making sure I didn’t embarrass a potential first family. They were definitely jumping the gun; they had not even heard the best part of me. I couldn’t help it andsnickered.
Andrew’s mouth quirked into a wry smile. “Just to make it clear, it wasn’t really the senator’s idea. He couldn’t care less who his sondated.”
I didn’t offer anything, just waited for him to explainfurther.
“It’s my boss, Gus,” he admitted. Of course, the senator’s main political strategist would take an interest in me. I was surprised he hadn’t sent out PIs to check out if I really graduated from Swift River High School or if I went to the Reynolds Community College or if my parents were Mike and Beth Callahan. He probably didn’t think I’d last as Grant’s girlfriend given my aversion to public engagements and thought Grant was just keeping me as a fuck-buddy. I wasn’t related to a Rockefeller, Koch, or a Kennedy. I didn’t have the rightpedigree.
“And so far, am I passing thebar?”
“If you ask me, I think you’re perfect.” He grinned atme.
“Are you softening me up for the kill?” Ilaughed.
“Baby.” Grant appeared by my side, drawing me close. He was frowning at Andrew, but I wasn’t certain why. “I see you’ve met Mr.Spencer.”
“Andy, please,” the senator’s man offered. “Your father sent me over with a drink for Blaire. Looks like we all need to get acquainted since the campaign meetings are gearingup.”
“I’d appreciate it if you don’t approach Blaire when I’m notaround.”
“Grant,” I chided. “Andy here is just being friendly. It’sfine.”
“I’ll decide what’s fine, Blaire,” Grant answered. I bristled at his tone, which was only further exacerbated when Andy’s brows shot up in response to my man’s highhandedness. I didn’t want to cause a scene, but I had a strong urge to stomp on Grant’s shoes and regretted not wearingstilettos.
“All right, folks!” Mrs. Thorne’s voice rang through the room. “Dinner will be served in ten minutes. Please take your seats in the dining room.” She paused. “Also, there are new faces around and it would really please me if you don’t do the couples thing but, rather, mix itup.”
“What’s the matter, sweetheart, you don’t want to sit beside me?” Senator Thorne’s baritoneinterjected.
Everyone laughed as Amelia shot her husband an exasperated look. She clapped her hands to facilitate the migration of the crowd from the parlor area to the diningroom.
Andy, unfazed by Grant’s hostility toward him, offered me his arm. “I guess, we should acquiesce to Mrs. Thorne’s wishes.Blaire?”
Grant’s grip tightened on my waist. I looked up at him, but he was staring Andydown.
“Andy, save a seat for me,” I said before turning to faceGrant.
“What the fuck are you doing?” hegrowled.
“I’d like to ask you the same,” I returned calmly. “What you said to Andy earlier was uncalled for. You’re making me sound like adoormat.”
His expression softened. “Blaire, that’s the last thing I want to make youfeel.”
“Well, I didn’t like it,” I retorted. “Look, Andy seems like a niceguy.”
“He was hitting onyou.”
“There’s hitting on me and there’s harmless flirting. He’s practically a kid. Don’t tell me you’rejealous.”
