Page 11 of Pursuit of Happiness

Meredith grinned. “Wow is right. That suit is stunning.” Shereached out and touched the sleeve of Stevie’s jacket. “This looks like Dior?”

“It is. Vintage.”

Stevie turned at the sound of Hannah’s voice and recognized herattempt to keep from grinning with pride, but she was failing miserably.“Senator Mitchell, meet my colleague and fashion consultant, Hannah Bennett.”

Hannah took Meredith’s extended hand. “I merely played a smallrole in dressing your date.” She waved her hand to indicate Stevie’s outfit.“The charm is all her.”

Stevie watched Meredith’s face for a reaction to the word date,but Meredith’s expression didn’t change. She crooked her elbow and said, “Readyto go?”

The drive to the wedding venue was a delicate dance betweenwanting to talk to Meredith, but being ever conscious her driver could heartheir every word. Stevie settled on shoptalk. “Thanks again for agreeing totake up the sentencing issue. You have a new fan base at the office.”

“I’m guessing my reputation for championing the underdog was abit lackluster before?”

“Not exactly, but your background comes with a natural biastoward the accused.”

A frown flashed across Meredith’s face, but it faded quickly intoa lazy smile. She reached her hand across the seat and squeezed Stevie’s.“Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the bureaucracy. Thanks for reminding methere are real people affected by the decisions we make. Now, enough aboutwork. I think we’re in for quite the party tonight.”

Stevie embraced the opportunity to learn a bit more aboutMeredith’s personal life. “Which bride invited you to the wedding?”

“I’m friends with both, but it was definitely Addison. We metwhen she was at the solicitor general’s office and I worked for DOJ, years ago.And I was a guest lecturer at Jefferson College when she was dean of the lawschool. She’s a good friend even if our schedules make it hard to connect inperson. And of course everyone knows Julia Scott.”

“Well, I know of her, that’s for sure.”

“Sorry, I forget we run in different circles.”

Nothing about Meredith’s friendly manner had changed, but thecomment stung. “Not everyone can be one of the cool kids, I suppose.”

“Whoa there, that’s not at all what I meant. What I should’vesaid was if you have to run in circles here in DC, then Julia’s someone youhave to know. Her campaign work is legendary, and if you’re a Democrat electedto office, you have her to thank—directly or indirectly. And of course, nowthat she’s President Garrett’s chief of staff, she’s the gatekeeper for allthings politics.”

“Got it. Sorry about that. I might be a tad sensitive.” Stevielooked out the window as the car pulled to a stop in front of the massiveNational Buildings Museum. “And I might be a little out of my depth. Is thiswhere the wedding is being held?”

“This is the place.” Meredith squeezed her hand again and leanedforward to speak to her driver. “Erica, we might be pretty late.” She handedErica a slip of paper. “They’ve arranged quarters for all the drivers, but feelfree to take off if you want. I’ll text you when we’re ready to go.”

“Thank you, Senator. I’ll be waiting when you’re ready to go.”Erica was out of the car opening Meredith’s door within seconds, but by thetime she’d walked around to the other side, Stevie was already standing on thesidewalk. Erica winked and tipped her hat. “See you both later. Have awonderful evening.”

“Are you ready to go in?” Meredith asked, appearing at her side.

Stevie watched the crowd of well-dressed guests making their wayinto the building. Half curious, half trepidatious, she put on her bestcourtroom game face. “Absolutely.”

They’d barely made it halfway up the steps of the building beforea small crowd of reporters swooped down on them, and Stevie stiffened as theyshouted questions. “Senator Mitchell, any comments about the upcomingprimaries?” “Will your father be attending the wedding?” “Senator Mitchell,who’s your date?”

Meredith smiled and waved, but didn’t otherwise respond. Steviethought she’d done a good job of hiding her discomfort, but Meredith’swhispered words told her otherwise.

“Not a fan of the press, are you?”

“Not really.”

“Bad personal experience or just general disregard?”

Stevie was impressed at the insight, but this wasn’t the place tohave this conversation. “A story for another day.”

“Then I’ll hope that we have another day in our future,” Meredithsaid, her eyes full of promise. “Rest assured there will be no reportersinside.”

A moment later, they checked their coats at the door and walkedinto the main entry. Stevie craned her head, gazing at the tall columns in thecenter of the room basked in glowing light.

“Pretty amazing, right?”

“Amazing doesn’t do it justice,” Stevie replied. She started tosay more, but a booming voice from behind startled her.

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