Page 85 of Bi-Partisan

“No, of course not,” I say in a rush. I mentally shake myself out of my dumbfounded state and close the rest of the distance between us to practically yank him into a fierce hug.

His hand comes to cradle my head as I bury my face in his neck, and God, if I don’t feel about five pounds lighter already. I’ve only been back in North Carolina for the break for a week, but I already missed him—missed the warm fluttery feeling I always get in my chest when I’m with him that I haven’t quite been able to put a name to. At least until this exact moment. It feels pretty obvious now that I let myself sit with it, but I guess realizing you’re falling in love is always a little like that—hard to recognize while it’s happening, but clear as day in retrospect.

Now that I’ve had the realization, all I want to do is scream it from the rooftops. But I’m only just starting to get Adrian to let his walls down. He’s built them so high, and I don’t want to frighten him off by trying to climb my way over them with a grappling hook. I can wait until he opens the gate for me. And maybe he’s not too far off from doing that because he’s here. He took a train and showed up at my campaign office to surprise me because I’ve been stressed. That’s not something you do for someone you feel casual about.

After about fifteen seconds, I pull back to look at him. “But don’t you have work?”

I’m almost positive he does. He keeps his two-month shift calendar on his fridge, and before I left DC for the month, I swear I saw he had some shifts around this debate, which is why I didn’t even ask him to be here for it.

“Well, I already had tomorrow, Friday, and Sunday off. But one of the other doctors needed to trade a few of her shifts at the end of the month, so she took my shifts today and Saturday. It means I’ll be working six in a row, but I figured the trade off would be worth it.” He shrugs, like this isn’t a big deal.

But it is a big deal. It’s huge. It’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me, and just so fucking Adrian. And I’m at a loss for words because I’m so overwhelmed that all I can do is hug him again. I bury my face in his neck again and relax even further when his fingers comb through the hair at the nape of my neck. Finally, I manage a small, “thank you,” and he simply hums in response.

I pull back again and cup his face with both of my hands. “No, seriously. Thank you. This…” I sigh and shake my head before pressing forward to bring our lips together for a brief kiss.

“You’re welcome,” he says, resting his forehead against mine.

I relax into him for a moment, but I know I can’t stay long with my team waiting on me. I’d said to give me five minutes, and I know I’ve probably already passed that.

“I really hate to say this, but—“

“You need to get back to prep, I know,” he finishes for me.

“I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t be. I understand.”

“But you came all this way,” I protest.

“To support you, not distract you. I figured you’d still need to work when I got here. It’s okay. I’m just here to help.”

I let out a soft exhale. “Thank you.”

“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, seeing as I know nothing about proper debating strategy and public speaking is my nightmare scenario, but I’m here,” he says, clearly trying to lighten my mood.

Although I still feel a ball of anxiety in the pit of my stomach, it does work, at least a little. “It’s okay, darlin’, you can just sit and look pretty—give me something to focus on when I start to flounder.”

He rolls his eyes, and reluctantly, I extract myself from his arms and step back. Before he can get it himself, I scoop his bag from the floor and throw it over my shoulder. Then I hold out my hand to lead him back to the office.

When we get back to the suite and into the conference room, I notice the table is clear of papers. I stop in the doorway, still holding Adrian’s hand.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Riley looks up from her bag, and her eyes widen when they land on Adrian over my shoulder. “Dr. Wilks, hello. I didn’t know you were coming into town for the debate.”

“It was a bit of a last-minute plan,” he says, a little uncertain. “And it’s just Adrian, please.”

“Well, Adrian, it’s good to see you,” she says, smiling. Then she focuses on me. “We’re packing it in for the night, sir.”

“But as Ben said, I still don’t have a solid answer for agriculture or redistricting,” I say, directing it more at Ben than Riley. While I’m the one in office, Ben has the final say on everything campaign related. He’s basically my unofficial boss, and there’s no way he’s letting us just pack it in, especially when I’m, arguably, still a mess behind that podium.

He lets out a controlled sigh, then nods. “We’re done for the night. Riley… made a persuasive argument that we’d all benefit from a break.”

I glance at Mina, who gives me an amused smirk. I have no idea what I missed, but I guess while Ben is my unofficial boss, Riley is his.

The development should be good news, seeing as not even two minutes ago I was desperately wishing I could just go home with my boyfriend. But now, panic crawls up my throat. I’m not ready. I’m clearly not ready—Ben said as much. And the debate’s tomorrow. Tonight was our last night to try to get me to be ready, and so far, we’ve barely made any progress.

I feel Adrian’s hand tighten around mine, like he can sense my train of thought. It doesn’t stop it, but it at least grounds me as Ben continues to talk.

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