Page 26 of Pursuit of Happiness

Meredith hesitated for a moment, but then lifted her drink. “Tofriendship.”

They spent the next hour stuffing themselves with barbecue andthe banana cream pie that Ellie insisted they try. Caught up in conversation,Stevie experienced moments where she forgot she was supposed to maintaindistance, and questioned the boundaries between friendship and something more,but when it was finally time to leave, she drew a hard line and insisted onfinding her own way home.

“This is silly,” Meredith said as they walked back down the hallEllie had led them through when they’d arrived. “Erica can drop you off just aseasily as a cab.”

“I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own. Besides, I’mheading the opposite direction.”

Meredith looked like she was going to protest further, and Stevieplaced a finger across her lips, which she instantly realized was a very badidea. Just the touch of Meredith’s lips against her skin sent a surge of heatthrough her and she quickly drew away. “Sorry. I should go.”

“You don’t have to.” Meredith’s eyes telegraphed desire.

“I would eventually, and it’s best if I just do it now.” Shepaused for a moment to gather her resolve. “You know I’m right.” Stevie pushedthrough the door before Meredith could say another word. She spotted Erica inthe town car a few feet away, but kept walking, not paying attention to whereshe was headed. Down the street. Turn. Down another block. Turn. Every step afeeble attempt to put some distance between her and a life that wasn’t meantfor her. The farther away she got the easier it was to acknowledge that she’dmade the right decision. So why did she feel so empty inside?

Chapter Seven

Two weeks later. New York City.

“And you have my word I will never forget the promises I madewhen I first entered public office. To be accountable. To be honest. To put theneeds of you and our country above my own personal gain. I want to take theideals that fueled my very first campaign—prosperity and well-being for all—tothe entire nation, and to that end I ask you to support me in my efforts,because today I am announcing my candidacy for president of the United Statesof America.”

Meredith looked out on the crowd, fixing on a few familiar faces,but careful to also connect with the few strangers in the mix and offer themwhat she hoped was a friendly, winning smile. It was difficult to muster anyemotion at all since she was exhausted. The past couple of weeks had been awhirlwind of decision-making. Once she’d elected to enter the race, there werea thousand choices to make and arrangements to put in place. Who would be hercampaign manager? Where would she announce? She’d written the speech herself, atask she’d always assumed, but she knew she would have to start handing overduties now as competing factions pulled at her time, energy, and attention.

“Are you ready?” Jen glanced at her watch. “You need to leave inabout five minutes to make it to the next stop. I need to have a quickone-on-one with the mayor’s chief of staff, and then I’ll meet you there.”

Meredith sighed, wishing she had a bit more time to let thegravity of what she’d just done sink in, but Jen was right, they had to movequickly to build on the momentum of today’s announcement. They had a full slateof appearances today before she flew to Maryland in the morning forThanksgiving dinner with their parents, but she had something else in mindfirst. “I’m ready, but I scheduled a quick meeting and I want you to take itwith me.”

“Now?”

“Yes. It won’t take long.” Meredith could sense Jen’s resistance,so she pushed on. “I promise. Oh, and after lunch tomorrow, I’m taking the restof the day off. You can have me back on Friday. Deal?”

Jen looked puzzled, like she wasn’t sure if she was jokingaround. “I mean it. I need a day, make that half a day, just for me time beforewe dive into this race full force. And it’s Thanksgiving for crying out loud.”She injected a pleading tone. “After the holiday’s over, you and I both knowI’ll have absolutely no control over my schedule.”

Jen’s expression softened. “Okay, I guess one day isn’t going todo any harm this early on. Now, what’s this important meeting you scheduled allon your own?”

“Come on.” Meredith led the way to a small conference roomconnected to the ballroom where she’d just given her speech. She’d wanted tomake her official announcement outside, but a heavy thunderstorm had causedthem to shift everything inside at the last minute. She paused at the door.

“What is it?” Jen asked.

“Just promise me you’ll keep an open mind.”

Jen cocked her head, but before she could respond, Meredithopened the door and led them both inside where a well-dressed, lanky man stoodto greet them.

Meredith shook his hand and motioned to Jen. “Jen, I’d like youto meet Gordon Hewitt. He and I have been talking about having his team jointhe campaign.” She braced for Jen’s reaction. Gordon Hewitt was a formerassociate of Julia Scott and had worked with Julia to get President Garrettelected twice. When Julia had taken the job as Garrett’s chief of Staff, Gordonhad taken over her firm and now was the go-to campaign manager for the mostsuccessful politicians.

Jen paused before offering her hand. “Everyone knows who GordonHewitt is, but I don’t believe we’ve ever crossed paths. Nice to meet you.”

“And you,” he said. “Looks like we’ll be working together plentyover the next year.”

Meredith winced, knowing Jen would quickly realize she and Gordonhad passed the talking about it stage. Deciding to go all in, she said, “Gordonand I still have a few details to work out, but I’d like him to start workingwith us right after the holiday.”

“Really? We’ve barely had time to establish a strategy,” Jensaid. “Wouldn’t his team be more effective if we’ve already decided on adirection and best use of resources?”

“Actually,” Gordon said, “I’ve been developing some informationon that front.” He pulled a folder out of his briefcase. “My numbers say weshould go with a targeted geographical demographic rather than a fifty-statestrategy.”

“We have numbers too,” Jen said, her tone icy. “You may not beaware, but our brother Michael runs one of the top analytics firms in thecountry.”

“Great. Always good to have more than one angle for good perspective.”

Meredith watched the back-and-forth, pleased to see Gordon wasn’tbacking down. He’d need to keep his cool and stand his ground if he was goingto work with Jen, and she was determined to add him to the team. Julia had madethe introduction a week ago, and after several meetings with Gordon, Meredithwas convinced his national experience was vital to her success. After watchinga few more rounds of them sparring, Meredith pointed at her watch. “We betterget going.”

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