Chapter 9-2
1209 Words
Even though Evie thought Sean was being an alarmist, it helped knowing he was nearby. That fact made the prospect of dinner with Brad less excruciating. Not un-excruciating. Just less so.
Or maybe it was the fact that kissing Sean had lit something inside her. Warmth and happiness still radiated through her being, like a secret she held close to her heart. It almost felt like a shield, as if Sean had woven a net of protection around her that not even Brad could penetrate.
He didn’t even try, at first. She met him at one of Jupiter Point’s most popular spots, the Seaview Inn. It was situated halfway up the second-highest hill in the area, the first being Jupiter Point, where the observatory was located. It boasted a stunning view of the ocean and the observatory. It was always crowded, which was both good and bad. Good because Brad wouldn’t do anything inappropriate surrounded by so many people. Bad because before the night was out, everyone in town would know they’d had dinner.
They ordered appetizers and drinks—lager for Brad and seltzer for Evie. She wasn’t going to chance alcohol tonight; she had to keep her cool.
At first, Brad was nothing but charm. He’d been perfecting his public persona ever since he’d become the face of the family bank, White Savings and Loan, after college. Every time the bank gave money to a charitable cause, Brad appeared to represent the family. She’d seen his act from afar—speeches, handshakes, the trademark boyish grin—but this was her first up-close experience with Brad White, political candidate.
He asked about her family. He talked about running for office and what it was like being on TV and having strangers recognize him in other cities in their district. He mentioned some of his plans if he won the election, and what the latest polls were saying. So far, the race was neck and neck.
All that chitchat got them through the main course. Evie was just starting to relax when he got to the point.
“I think you’re going to be very grateful to me, Evie.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve created an embarrassing situation for yourself, and I’m offering a solution.”
She darted a glance around the room, with its white leather banquettes and orchid arrangements. The novelty of seeing Evie and Brad all cozy by the fireplace must have worn off, because no one was paying any attention to them. “Are you sure it’s not more embarrassing for you?”
His hand tightened around his glass of lager. “I’m not going to lie. You did embarrass me, which I assume was your purpose. So that’s done now. We can move on. I’m giving you an out, little Evie. I’m willing to play your game.”
She stared at him, that “little Evie” still echoing in her ears. He’d used that nickname because he was four years her senior. It didn’t sound endearing anymore.
“Come up with something that you want,” he continued. “Something the business coalition can get behind. I’ll announce that I’m including whatever it is in my campaign platform. And you’ll come out smelling like roses.”
Jack Drummond had suggested exactly the same thing. “Is that how it works?”
“That’s how it works. You’ve successfully played the game—if you accept this offer. If you don’t accept…” He paused.
“What?”
“Well, you’ll come off as the town kook. It’s not like you have a legitimate reason for withholding your endorsement. The other business owners are going to want to know why.”
An impulse surged within her, something volcanic, something she had no control over. “You know why,” she said in a low voice.
Her nerves jumped as soon as the words hit the air. Never, not once, never had she referred to that night around Brad or to Brad. She’d kept her silence absolute, like a nun who’d made a vow. Those three words hung between them like little grenades.
Except to Brad, apparently they weren’t grenades. They were more like jelly beans. He gave her a smile that was more like a pat on the head.
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
She got the feeling that she was a step behind in this conversation. “You seriously want me to be more specific?”
He tore off a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth. His casual manner seemed designed to tell her how little she frightened him.
“Let’s just say that I’m calling your bluff. I know you, Evie. You won’t ever say anything. You never have and you never will, because that’s not who you are. You’re the classic peacemaker. You don’t like to make waves or upset anyone.”
He made her sound like a complete wimp. She felt all her confidence drain away, same as it always did around him.
“It’s a nice quality, and I know your family appreciates it. So does the community. You’re the sweetheart of Jupiter Point. Everyone loves you. But no one likes a troublemaker, do they? Right now, you’re making trouble by withholding your endorsement.”
Evie’s blackened trout suddenly looked disgusting to her. She pushed her plate away.
“See? Even this conversation is making you uncomfortable, isn’t it?”
Of course it was. He wanted it to be uncomfortable. That was why he’d arranged this entire thing. He wanted her to be so uncomfortable that she would crawl back into her gallery, curl up in a ball and never bother him again.
She swallowed hard over the lump in her throat. Everything in her screamed to get away from this man.
He scanned her face intently, but she kept her expression blank. Until she made a public announcement of some sort, let him sweat. “Do we have an understanding?”
No. She’d never understand someone like him. Someone who pushed people around just so he could get what he wanted.
He leaned over the table. She caught a whiff of his aftershave. Nausea threatened, but she clenched her fists tight and refused to back away.
“You know, Evie, I’d be a pretty good congressman, did you ever think of that? I have everything it takes. I have the funding, I have the charisma. I know the issues. I can do good things for Jupiter Point. I can introduce a bill to add a lane to Route 78. That would bring more traffic to town. There’s no end to how much I can help you. We can make a deal right now that will be very, very good for you and the business coalition. How about new downtown Christmas decorations? That rec center you’ve been talking about? A community garden that Brianna can run? My press guy can write something up and we can announce it first thing in the morning. Better yet, call your friend Merry and we’ll give her an exclusive.”
He sat back and pushed up the sleeves of his shirt. A man of action, ready to dig in and get to work. She stared at his newly exposed forearms, at his golden hair and a scattering of freckles, the thick wristband of his platinum-rimmed watch. Then she made herself look at his hands. Felt them pushing her down against the mangy sheepskin cloth that covered his passenger seat. Felt it physically, as if it was happening right that moment instead of thirteen years ago.
She jumped to her feet. “I’ll…” She cleared her throat. “I’ll let you know what I decide.”
Surprise flashed across his square-cut face. That was some satisfaction, anyway. Obviously he thought she’d follow the script he’d provided.
“Don’t wait too long, little Evie. I have a few other ways I can go.”
Turning on her heel, she walked out of the inn with as much dignity as she could manage. As soon as she reached the lobby, she ran.
- Writer
