Page 22 of Where There's Smoke

She smiled weakly. “Just part of getting into politics, I guess. But if you find anyone who interests you, you know you can…”

Our eyes met, and the hurt in hers cut deep.

I sat up and pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her so she could rest her head against my shoulder.

“The same goes for you. You know that. If someone interests you.”

“I know,” she whispered. “Kind of hard to meet people when I can’t let a single soul know about this, though.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” Closing my eyes, I released a breath as I stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry about all this. I really am.”

“It’s only for a few more months. I’ll manage.”

“Yeah, but…” Pulling back, I looked her in the eye and took a breath. “Anthony wants you out on the campaign trail with us. On your own, even.”

“What?” Her eyes widened and her lips parted. “But I…Jesse, I don’t know the first thing about—”

“I know.” I put a hand on her arm. “The campaigning will be up to Anthony and me. All you’ll have to do is smile for the crowd, maybe visit some schools and things like that.”

Her thin eyebrows climbed as she sucked in a breath. “Visiting schools? I-I wouldn’t even know what to do. Or say. Or—”

“Simone.” I touched her face. “Anthony will let you know what you need to do and say. He just wants you as visible as possible because of how we’re presenting our marriage.”

She scowled.

“I promise,” I said, “he knows what he’s doing. I’ll ask him to keep your involvement to a minimum if you’re not comfortable, though.”

She released her breath and put her hand over mine. “I’ll manage. Whatever I can do to help you get elected.”

“I just don’t want you to overdo it.” I tried not to notice how cold her fingers were against mine. “If you’re not sure, or—”

“Jess.” She smiled, though it obviously took a lot of effort. “I’ll be okay. You’ve got an election to win. Don’t worry about me.”

“You know I’ll worry about you.”

“Yes, I know you will.” She took my hand from her face and laced her fingers between mine. “But I’ll be okay. I promise.” Turning our joined hands, she looked at her watch. “And it’s late. You’ve got an early day tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I should get some sleep. God only knows what Anthony’s got in store for me tomorrow.”

Simone giggled again, and more heat rushed into my cheeks.

“That’s not what I meant,” I said, laughing.

“Whatever.” She released my hand and patted my arm. As she stood, she said, “I’m sure you wouldn’t complain if that was whathehad in mind.”

Chuckling, I rose. “No, I can’t say I would.”

“Big shock. All right, you. Get some sleep.”

“You too.”

She hugged me, and we both held on a moment or two longer than we usually did. Then she went upstairs to the bedroom we used to share, and I went down the hall to the guest room that was now mine.

Between Anthony…and Chris…and Simone…and the election, I didn’t sleep for shit that night.

Chapter 5

Anthony

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