Page 34 of Pursuit of Happiness

“I volunteered to stick around and watch the phones. Besides,between you and me, Leon isn’t my favorite. Not super sorry to see him go.”

“He’s not anyone’s favorite.” Stevie crunched some chips. Leon,one of the attorneys in the office, had never been one of them, always talkingabout how he was using this job as a stepping-stone to “real” legal work. “I’mthinking everyone else was just angling to get out of the office for a while.”

Hannah pointed at the clock on the wall. “You’re back early. Ithought your hearing was going to run late.”

“It was, but the government threw a wrench in the mix by refusingto give me documents I could actually read. Judge Solomon continued us untiltomorrow afternoon so he can review the unredacted documents and hopefullydecide we’re entitled to them. So, now I can handle the Fuentes hearing in themorning.”

Hannah tapped her finger against her forehead. “You could. Or,you know, you could do something else.”

Stevie knew where she was headed and cut her off. “I’m not goingto New Hampshire.”

Hannah reached in her desk drawer and pulled out an envelope.“Here’s the plane ticket. It’s open-ended. You can leave now for the airport,and I can book your flight while you’re en route. If you go right this minute,you might make it before the polls close.”

Stevie shook her head. “It’s her big day. She’ll be surrounded byfamily, friends, campaign workers.”

“And apparently, she’d like to be surrounded by you too since heroffice sent you a plane ticket and has a hotel room reserved.”

“I have the hearing tomorrow.”

“What time is your hearing?”

Stevie didn’t immediately respond, unsure about telling Hannahher real hesitation. It would be tight, but she could make it back in time. Thequestion wasn’t whether she could, it was more like whether she should. IfMeredith won the primary in New Hampshire tonight, which everyone waspredicting she would, the moment would be historic, and like all historicmoments, would be the focal point of the entire nation. It was one thing tosneak around, dodging press in between campaign stops, but it would be quiteanother for her to slip into Meredith’s campaign hotel unnoticed on such a bignight. “I’ll give it some thought.” She tossed off the comment and strode backto her office.

She unpacked her briefcase and turned her phone back on, watchingwhile it fired off news alerts, many of which had to do with exit polling fortoday’s primary, but then a text message with Meredith’s name appeared in thescroll, and she punched the screen.

Wish meluck. Miss you.

Simple, sweet, and a total gut punch. Stevie sank into her chair.She missed Meredith too, even if she thought it was a tad irrational to misssomeone she hadn’t known that long. She picked up the phone and stared at thescreen, starting and stopping several replies. Good luck sounded so trite andimpersonal. Miss you too seemed inadequate. She wanted to say a lot of things,but not in a flat text with no affect.

There’sstill time to say what you want in person.The internal voicetempting her to travel to New Hampshire was instantly countered with another,more practical voice that told her to use her now free afternoon for additionalhearing prep. In the past, the practical voice always won, but she’d neverdated someone like Meredith before where catching moments together was sodifficult. And she desperately wanted more moments with Meredith.

She stared hard at the files on her desk, their contents full offacts about real people whose freedom hung in the balance. She spent all hertime focused on their lives, but she had a right to have a life too, didn’tshe?

Dammit. She pushed aside the files on her desk, grabbed herbriefcase and phone, and strode back to Hannah’s desk. She held out her hand.“Give me the envelope before I change my mind.”

Hannah didn’t hesitate, shoving it into her hand. “I’ll call theairline and book you on the next flight.” She flapped her hands. “Go, now.”

Traffic was snarled and the cab ride was slow. Stevie tapped herfoot and fought the voices in her head telling her all the reasons this was abad idea. She hadn’t packed a bag. How was she going to dodge the press? Theflights were probably all full since she’d waited until the last minute.Meredith wasn’t expecting her. What if Meredith had made plans to celebratethat didn’t include her, or more importantly, included someone else? They’dhadn’t talked about being exclusive, and Stevie was certain there were tons ofadoring women who’d love the chance to stand by Meredith’s side, cameras or nocameras.

She fished her phone back out of her bag, and reread Meredith’stext, and with a sudden burst of clarity knew exactly what to say in reply.You don’t need luck. You got this.Miss you more than you know.

She hit send before she could rethink her words and prayed herpresence would be welcome.

* * *

“You’re here.” Meredith pulled Stevie into her arms and whisperedin her ear. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

Stevie leaned back and met her eyes. “My hearing got continued atthe last minute. I came as soon as I could. Didn’t even pack a bag.” She duckedher head and lowered her voice. “Is it really okay that I showed up? You’ve gota lot going on.”

Meredith followed her gaze around the room. “Exactly why I need acalming force. Someone who’s not part of all this to help me escape.” Gordonand Jen chose that moment to appear at her side.

“They’re ready for you downstairs. Let’s go,” Gordon said.

Meredith held her ground. “Gordon, I’d like you to meet SteviePalmer. Stevie, this is Gordon Hewitt, my campaign manager. He’s super pushy,but takes good care of me.” She watched as Stevie extended a hand, and Gordonperked up at the mention of Stevie’s name. Before he could say anything, sheplunged ahead. “Stevie, I have to go downstairs and say a few words to mysupporters. Will you come with me? Jen will make sure you have a place to sitnear the stage.” She saw Jen and Gordon exchange curious looks and hoped Steviehadn’t noticed. There would be a conversation at some point about how to spinStevie Palmer, she just knew it, but she wasn’t having it now.

Jen extended a hand. “Absolutely. Stevie, come with me. I’ll getyou settled.”

Meredith wistfully watched them walk away.

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