Page 11 of A More Perfect Union

“I guess that makesfor a perfect quality in a chief of staff.”

“All a matter ofperspective I guess.” He gestured toward the bar. “Drink?”

“I thought you’dnever ask.” Zoey followed him as he cut through the clusters of people. Shespotted several familiar faces, some from cable news and others she’d seen thepast week at the Capitol. One of the latter grabbed her arm as she walked by.

“Major Granger, whata nice surprise to see you here,” Senator Connie Armstrong said.

Zoey cracked a halfsmile, uncertain of the protocol. “Nice to see you too, Senator.” She looked atSharp who’d turned back. The senator tracked her gaze and waved the generaloff. “General, if you’re headed to the bar, I could use a bourbon and whatevermy friend here is having.”

Sharp raised hiseyebrows. “Major?”

Zoey turned toArmstrong. “Actually, I was—” She stopped talking when Sharp shot her a pointedlook, hoping she was reading the signals correctly. “Red wine. Thanks.” Sharpnodded and plunged back into the crowd, leaving her alone with the senator.

“Are you relieved thehearings are over, Major?”

“Honestly, I’m happyto be getting back to real work.”

“And you don’tconsider keeping the legislature informed part of your real work?”

Zoey fumbled for arecovery, but apparently she’d used up all her diplomacy during the gruelingsessions over the past week. She was saved from answering by a voice frombehind her.

“Connie, leave themajor alone. This is a party, not an inquisition.”

She knew that voice.A second later, Rook Daniels appeared next to her, confirming her suspicion.Was everyone in DC at this event?

“You look surprisedto see me,” Rook said, her voice smooth and a hint of a grin playing at thecorner of her lips.

“I am, but I guess Ishouldn’t be. Famous DC fixer. Of course you’d be where all the big names are.”

“I’m not quite surehow to take that. I assure you I came by my invitation honestly. I’m not on thejob tonight.” Rook let loose with the grin. “That is, unless a beautiful womanneeds to make a quick escape.”

Connie waved a handbetween them. “You two know each other?”

“Barely,” Zoey said.

“Intimately,” Rooksaid at the exact same moment.

Armstrong shook herhead. “I learned long ago not to believe anything Rook Daniels said unless Ihired her to say it myself.”

Rook placed a handover her heart. “Connie, you wound me.”

“Save it for thecamera, Daniels. Ah, here are our drinks.”

Zoey tore her gazeaway from Rook, and Sharp was standing next to them holding three glasses. Shereached for hers, happy for the distraction. Rook was distracting enough,dressed in a sleek charcoal gray silk suit and oozing charm. As Sharp handedover her drink, Zoey couldn’t help but notice a slight frown on his face, and shewondered at the cause. She didn’t have a chance to ask before the senatorwhisked him away, leaving her alone with Rook.

“How honestly?” Zoeyasked.

“Pardon?”

“You said you came bythe invitation honestly.”

“Yes, well, Julia isan old law school buddy of mine.”

“You’re a lawyer?”Zoey replayed the question back in her head and wished she hadn’t injected somuch surprise into it.

“Top of my class atYale.”

“But you don’tpractice law.”

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