Page 23 of Pursuit of Happiness

“It does.” Stevie slipped an arm into her jacket, and Meredithimpulsively reached for the other arm to help her slip it on. For a second,they were standing crazy close, and Meredith flashed back on their walk afterthe night at the Quarry House. The impulse to kiss Stevie was even strongernow. Did Stevie feel the same way? She looked into her eyes.

“How long does Erica wait before she decides your plans havechanged?” Stevie’s voice was husky with desire.

“She’s never left me stranded.”

“She must be a very patient woman.”

“She may be, but I don’t think I am.” Meredith stepped closeruntil she could feel the heat rising from Stevie’s body and the whisper ofarousal swirling around her head. She was used to taking what she wanted, butshe didn’t want to take this; she wanted it to be offered. Stevie didn’tdisappoint. She reached out and curved her fingers around Meredith’s neck andpulled her close until their lips met. Soft touches gave way to a firm press,and Meredith lingered in the warmth of her, not wanting the moment to end.

When they finally broke, her thoughts blurred, and everythingabout her carefully planned evening faded into the wonder of Stevie’s touch.“That was amazing,” she murmured.

“Yes, yes, it was.”

“I’d like to do it again.”

“If you think I’m going to protest, you’ll get no argument fromme.”

Meredith hesitated. She could send Erica away and spend the eveninghere, tucked away from the world and any worries her handlers might have aboutwhether Stevie was a worthy date. The idea was tempting, but she was determinednot to let the voices of Jen and the rest of her newly formed Mitchell forPresident committee get in her head. There would be plenty of time for thatonce she officially entered the race. She held out her hand. “Then let’s make aplan to come back here after dinner.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Stevie’s expression, but shereached for Meredith’s hand and squeezed. “It’s a deal.”

When they climbed into the car, Stevie made a point of saying hito Erica and asking her how her evening was going. Meredith noted the exchangeand filed it away under things she liked about Stevie. The list was growing.

When Erica pulled away from the curb, Stevie asked. “What’s theplan?”

“Dinner at one of my favorite places.”

“Chili Bowl?”

Meredith laughed. “Okay, second favorite.”

“And you’re not going to tell me until we get there?”

“We’ll be there soon. I swear.” A few minutes later, they pulledup in front of their destination. Erica slowed to bypass the valet, drovearound the corner, and idled in front of a side door. “We’re here.”

“Really?” Stevie pointed at the door. “Is this one of thoseplaces where you need a secret knock to get in?”

“No, but you do need to know people to use this entrance.Sometimes the day job comes in handy.” Meredith sent a quick text, climbed outof the car, and held the door for Stevie.

An elderly woman greeted them on the other side of the door andpulled Meredith into a hug. “It’s been too long.”

“I know,” Meredith replied, stepping back to introduce Stevie.“Ellie, meet Stevie Palmer. I promised her a quiet evening and the best dinnerin DC.”

Ellie grabbed both of Stevie’s hands and smiled. “I’ve got youcovered on both fronts.” She led them both down a darkened hallway. “I hope youlike ribs,” she tossed over her shoulder, continuing ahead at a brisk pacewithout waiting for an answer.

“This seems veryHouseof Cards,” Stevie said.

Meredith laughed. “I know. Trust me, I’ve been enjoying thebarbecue here for longer than that show’s been streaming, but I swear everytime I watched it, I wind up craving a plate of ribs. Ellie’s got the bestbarbecue in the country.”

“And you’ve sampled all of it?”

“A good portion.” Meredith patted her stomach. “And sometimes waytoo much at once.”

“You don’t look like a woman who indulges herself all thatoften.”

Meredith heard the playful tease in Stevie’s tone, and she felt aflush of attraction. Conscious that Ellie was getting farther and farther aheadof them and would hunt them down if they lingered too long, she merely said,“Let’s just say that I save my indulgences for special occasions.”

Stevie reached for her hand. “I’ll keep an eye out for one ofthose then.”

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