“The pipeline.”
“Yeah, among other things. She said I lied to her.”
“Which technically, you did.”
“There was nothing technical about the connection we had before I left for Anta
rctica. I intended to tell her when I came back, but Dad’s daring rescue got so much air time and outed me on every news outlet before I could explain.”
“So you gave up?”
“Not exactly,” I say defensively. “I put things on hold.”
“For what . . . a decade?” he asks with a frown. “Amsterdam was like ten years ago, wasn’t it?”
“Look, she sent me away. I tried and she turned me down. She had shit to do and so did I. Neither of us were ready to stop what we were doing.” I shrug. “Maybe she made the right call. I can’t even imagine managing a long-distance relationship considering what the last ten years of my life have been.”
I’ve been planning this for some time. Events coalesced perfectly—Kimba and Lennix opening their political consulting firm, Owen following through on his precious ten-year plan for the presidency, and me hitting my milestones, allowing me a little room to breathe for the first time in years.
“And now you’ve decided you want her so it’s time?” Owen asks, skepticism in his expression. “And she should just fall in line with your wishes?”
“I think she’ll wish it, too. Or at least she will once I remind her.” I smile slow and wide. “We couldn’t keep our hands off each other.”
“Spare me the details, brother,” he says with a disgusted grimace “I don’t need the complications of your love life screwing things up for me. I just want her expertise.”
“You can have her expertise.” I toss back another much-needed swig of my bourbon. “I want everything else.”
36
Lennix
“This worked out perfectly,” I say, grabbing my luggage from the conveyor belt.
“Yeah, you know I hate traveling alone,” Wallace says, grabbing his, too.
“I made it to the rally in Queens.”
“And I made my keynote speech at the conference.”
“And we both got to see the baby.” I turn heart-eyes his way. “Madison is the most adorable baby ever. She has your eyes. Vivienne’s eyes.”
“And Stephen’s red hair. Mom doesn’t know what to do with herself. She’s just glad one of her kids has reproduced.” He playfully nudges me as we make our way out of Reagan International and into the crisp fall air. “She was counting on you to marry me and give her grandbabies.” He laughs when I cross my eyes and poke my tongue out at him. “You ruined everything breaking up with me.”
“What would have ruined everything,” I say, craning my neck to see if I spot the car Karla sent for us, “is divorcing after like three months and making it hella awkward with my best friend.”
“I thought I was your best friend. That was my only consolation when you ended things.”
“Of course you are.” I pat his hand reassuringly. “Just don’t tell Viv and Kimba, ’kay? It’ll be our little secret.”
“There’s the car.” He points toward a waiting Lincoln Aviator.
We settle into the back seat and I just want to close my eyes for a few minutes, but of course, Wallace keeps up a constant stream of chatter.
“I thought biochemist types were supposed to be introverted, withdrawn creatures,” I say, faking exasperation . . . kind of. “You’re yammering like a chick at a sleepover, Wall.”
“Is that why you dumped me?”
“I broke it off,” I correct deliberately. “Because the sex was weird.” I say it to shock him, but it’s the truth. I can barely suppress my grin.