Page 61 of Pursuit of Happiness

“We better start making our way to the car,” Gordon said. “It’sgoing to be hard getting you out of here.”

“I need a minute.” She started to walk toward Stevie, but Gordonfollowed her gaze and pulled her back.

“Don’t.”

“Just a minute. I promise.”

“Remember how angry you were when the press mobbed her before?It’ll be ten times that if you make a beeline over there. Go to the car andI’ll see if I can get her to meet you there, but promise me, you’ll make itquick.”

He was right. Her selfish desire to find some closure wasn’t agood reason to put Stevie’s privacy in jeopardy. She’d do as he asked and waitin the car, hoping he could convince Stevie to talk to her, and hoping shecould figure out what to say.

* * *

Stevie recognized the man staring her way as Meredith’s campaignmanager, and she looked over her shoulder as he approached, certain it couldn’tbe her he was coming to see. Meanwhile, Meredith had vanished into theexuberant crowd, and the room was buzzing with excitement that the top of theticket candidate had stopped by to thank her key supporters.

“Ms. Palmer,” the man said when he drew close. “I’m GordonHewitt, Ms. Mitchell’s campaign manager. I wonder if I might have a word withyou.” He looked around. “Privately.”

Stevie partly wished she’d joined Hannah and Dave at the bar, buther interest was piqued as to what Gordon could want with her. “Yes, but onlyfor a moment. I’m here with friends.”

He ushered her out a side door and walked down a long hallwaydodging waiters with trays headed into the ballroom. She started to ask himwhere they were going, but he placed a finger over his lips and kept walking.Curiosity propelled her forward.

A moment later, he pushed open another door, and when they steppedoutside, they were standing in a parking garage. Stevie heard a car engine cometo life and spotted Meredith’s face through the open window of an approachinglimousine. She watched, transfixed, as the car drew closer, unable to take hereyes off Meredith, who looked more beautiful than ever. Until this moment, shehadn’t truly realized how much she’d missed their connection, and when the carstopped in front of her, she didn’t wait for an invitation before walkingtoward it.

“Come inside?” Meredith asked.

Stevie heard the trepidation in her voice, and she met it withdefinitive clarity. “Absolutely.”

She climbed into the back of the limo and took a seat directlyacross from Meredith, facing the front of the car. The privacy shield was up,and she pointed toward it, looking for something to break the time and distancebarrier between them. “Erica still driving you around?”

“I wish. I’m a hostage to Secret Service procedures. Bulletproofcars, constant surveillance, and only their drivers. She’s working for myparents for a while until we find out which direction my life is headed. Ididn’t realize how much I’d miss her.” Meredith gazed at the tinted window. “Ididn’t realize how much I’d miss you either.”

“I miss you too.” The words spilled out before Stevie could stopthem. She’d had no time to prepare for this encounter, to steel her emotionsagainst the onslaught of hope that things could be different between them.“This is a surprise.”

“Seeing me here or missing me?”

Meredith’s smile was teasing, playful, and Stevie couldn’t helpbut grin in return. “Both?”

“I was getting antsy in New York. I’m pretty sure I’m not gettingoff on the right foot with my Secret Service detail by dragging them back andforth, but if I win, it’s my last day of freedom for the next four years, andif I lose, well, then they can move on.”

“Eight years.”

“Excuse me?”

“Whenyou win, you’ll be on the hook for eight years, because unless you mess thingsup, you’re definitely a two-term president. Count on it.”

Meredith reached for her hand, and Stevie held on tight. “I heardit was your digging that unearthed the connection between Bosley and the smearcampaign against me and my family.”

Stevie shrugged, but she didn’t let go. “My client did all thework. He thinks you’re a nice lady.”

“Well, that’s one person who does.”

“He’s not the only one. Everyone’s predicting a landslidetonight.”

“I’m not talking about the election.”

Stevie leaned forward and took both of Meredith’s hands in hers.“Youareanice lady. You’re a wonderful, kind, generous person who’s given her entirelife to public service. You deserve all the success you have coming to you, andwhat you’ve accomplished over the past year is incredible.”

Meredith raised a hand and cupped Stevie’s cheek. “Thank you forsaying those things, but I have to say that I’m not entirely sure the sacrificewas worth it. It was easier when we were apart. I could tell myself the breakupwas for the best. That you would be better off without my chaos in your life,and I’d be able to focus without you around. I don’t think that’s trueanymore.”

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