Page 25 of Pursuit of Happiness

“Hmm. Not a good sign. You’re the first person I’ve told outsideof my family, and it’s not going real well. Maybe I should rethink this wholerunning for the highest office in the land thing.”

Stevie heard the levity in Meredith’s voice and she wanted tojoin in to stave off the feeling of dread that was threatening to consume her.She forced a laugh. “Sorry, I think you took me by surprise.”

“No doubt. I’ll have to work on that.” Meredith pointed at thefood. “How about we eat first, and then talk?”

“Sure,” Stevie answered. She reached for a rib and then set herfork down. “Nope. Can’t do it. Have to talk first.”

Meredith sat back in her chair. “Okay, let’s hear it. I’ve got athick skin, so don’t hold back. Tell me all the reasons why you think I’m notqualified.”

“Oh, you’re plenty qualified. That’s not even an issue.”

“Okay.” Meredith drew out the word. “Personally, I havereservations about getting involved so late in the race, but my statisticianbrother pointed out that Ronald Reagan got into his first presidential racewith less than a year to go, and Bill Clinton didn’t have much more than that.”

Stevie shook her head. “Look, it’s not about whether you’requalified or the timing. You’ve got people to figure all that stuff out foryou, and I’m sure they know what they’re doing.”

“Then what is it?”

What was it? Stevie grasped at the onslaught of thoughts floodingher brain, looking for just the right words to convey exactly what she wasfeeling, but blindsided was all she could come up with and that didn’t seemfair to say out loud. Meredith was excited—as she should be. She was about tostep into the national arena in an attempt to become the first femalepresident. If she won, she’d make history. Stevie had no desire to throw coldwater on her aspirations, but the last thing she wanted to do was be caught upin the glare of public attention that would surround Meredith’s candidacy, andthere was no way around it if she kept seeing her.

“I’m so happy for you. This is a big step, and I have no doubtyou’ll make an amazing candidate. You’re smart, articulate, and savvy. Theparty, hell, the country would be lucky to have you.”

“Thanks, yet I hear a big ‘but.’”

“Maybe this is a little presumptive on my part, but did youhappen to see any of the press after Addison and Julia’s wedding?”

Meredith looked puzzled. “Yes. Anything in particular?”

“Hannah has a penchant for reading the local gossip columns, andshe pointed out the ton of speculation about who the stranger was on SenatorMitchell’s arm at the wedding, down to what brand I was wearing.”

“That’s pretty normal.”

“Maybe in your world, but not in mine.” Stevie waved her hand.“Also not normal, having a driver pick me up for dates, getting in the backdoor at restaurants, and attending weddings of famous people.”

“Oh, come on. A driver is necessary for me or I’d never getanything done. I work while Erica drives. As for tonight, I’ve known Ellie mostof my life, and while they may be famous to other people, Addison and Julia areold friends.”

“You’re missing the point.”

“Which is?”

“Normal is relative.”

Stevie took a breath while she gathered her thoughts. Her gutreaction to Meredith’s announcement was visceral, but she did have validreasons for not wanting to be part of the circus, and she felt like she owed itto Meredith to share where she was coming from. “It might be normal for you tohave all these things, know all these people. I like to think I could get usedto all that, but everything about your life is about to be scrutinized. You’realready the subject of half the stories above the fold, and it’s only going toget worse.”

“I’ve been preparing for this my entire life. I have nothing tohide and I can handle the scrutiny.”

“Well, I can’t.” There. She’d said it, and though she was certainit was true, she felt a twinge of regret the moment she’d spoken the words outloud because they could only mean one thing.

“Do you have something to hide?”

“What?” Stevie shook her head. “No, not at all. I guess Ishould’ve said I don’t want to handle the scrutiny. I’ve seen, up close andpersonal, the damage that comes from too much focus from the media and theirinsatiable desire to fill a twenty-four-hour news cycle. I have a quiet life,but it’s a life I’ve worked hard to earn and it’s my own. Your life is about tobe owned by everyone but you. I wish you well, but I can’t be a part of it.”

“We’ve barely gotten to know each other,” Meredith protested.

“Perfect timing then.” Stevie smiled to soften the harshness ofher words. “Let’s enjoy this meal before your world tilts on its axis.” Sheraised her glass. “Friends?”

“Do you mean that? I do enjoy talking to you. Not many people inmy sphere challenge me like you do.”

Stevie considered. She’d tossed out the word as a way of puttingsome closure on whatever this was between them, but as she rolled the conceptof friendship around in her head, she couldn’t see the downside. “Yes, I meanit.”

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