Page 75 of Feel Me

I start to deny it. “Governor McAdams . . .”

The way she shakes her head cuts me off. “I’ll be stepping down as governor by the time the campaign for mayor begins. With the state of our country being what it is, I’ve debated who to endorse for months. Declan caught my attention during his last few trials, and he’s impressed me with his intelligence and refinement. But his age concerned me, regardless that the other candidates neither possess his remarkable record nor his leadership skills.” She glances toward where a slew of supporters have him surrounded. “That changed when I learned of your relationship and was reminded of the tremendous regard your father holds him in.”

“Ma’am?” I ask.

Her smile softens. “Melissa, you and your father are two of the best people I know. If you both believe in him, I’d be a fool not to believe in him, too.”

The bottom of my stomach crawls down to my toes. I want to push away the thoughts that warn me I’ve been used, as well as my father. But Declan told her we were together, ignoring the weeks we’ve spent apart.

“Melissa, are you all right?” she asks.

“I’m fine,” I manage, my body heating.

Declan told me I meant more than his career. Did he really mean I was good for it?

Kathleen hurries over. “Excuse me, Governor,” she says, appearing rushed. “Senator Monroe is requesting a word with you.”

“Of course.” The governor lifts my hand, squeezing it lightly. “Shall we meet up later, Melissa?” She taps my ring finger with her thumb. “Or will we have more to celebrate soon?”

Jesus. What exactly did Declan say to win her vote? I force a smile, nodding like an imbecile. “I’m sure we’ll catch up later,” I tell her quickly.

I watch her walk away, unsure where to go. I’m supposed to meet with a reporter about my experience and accomplishments during my time in the office, and with a senator who’s looking for input regarding the new legislation he’s bringing before congress. He’s seeking millions to help victims of domestic violence re-enter the work and is counting on me to support his campaign. I’m also supposed to meet up with Dad and Mae. But right now, all I can do is stand there.

The growing flutter surrounding Declan’s endorsement overpowers me, not only because of all the sound the excitement emits, but because of everything I don’t want to believe about it. As it is, I’ve been wrestling with Declan’s actions over these last few days. He went from telling me he doesn’t believe in love, to giving me that locket and kissing me in his office,followinghis meeting with Governor McAdams—a meeting he never bothered to mention!

We had sex on the drive here, and he told me loved me, but neither erase this past month apart, or give him the right to tell the governor we’re a couple.

Unless he really is using me . . .

“Champagne, miss?” a server offers.

“Yes, thank you,” I stammer.

I scan the crowd. Declan is surrounded by a group of big wigs including the senator I’m supposed to meet with, a state supreme court justice, and Philadelphia’s current mayor. They gather around him, shaking his hand, patting his back, and likely offering their endorsements as well. Declan was always rumored to be the next big thing. Now, he is.

He winks in my direction when he catches my eye. I whip around, taking a sip of my champagne, my hands shaking.Please don’t tell me you’ve been using me. God, please don’t tell me you seduced me to become the next mayor.

My gaze falls upon my father where he and Mae sit along the raised dining area. He smiles as he interacts with a few representatives and their wives. The chemo left him outrageously thin, and his skin gray and loose against his frame. Despite the early hour, he already seems weary.

I glance back toward Declan.Please don’t tell me you used him, too.

This entire time we were apart, when I all but died without him, was it all a game to him? Did he manipulate me into leaving him, knowing I’d pine after him and rush back the moment he needed me again? I don’t want to think this way. I don’t. But right now, the pieces are falling into place and I hate where they land.

I don’t realize how badly I’m trembling until the champagne sloshes against the sides of the glass and spills against my dress. I hand my glass to a passing waiter and bat at the beads of liquid on my dress.

“Hey, Mel!”

Curran snakes his way through the crowd, Tess tucked against him. He bends to kiss my cheek. “Great speech.”

I smile, trying to compose myself. “Thank you.”

He frowns. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, just a little overwhelmed because of the noise.” I motion to them. “I apologize, I wasn’t expecting you. Valencia mentioned you’re close to your due date.”

“I am,” she says, appearing to tire. “And originally we weren’t planning to attend.”

“That’s because we weren’t invited,” Curran says, laughing. “Declan called all of us this morning, saying he got us in and that we had to be here, except he wouldn’t tell us why.”’

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