Page 37 of Pursuit of Happiness

Meredith mock pushed her away. “Don’t even start down the road,because I can’t promise to turn back. I mean, have you seen yourself?”

Stevie hadn’t looked in a mirror since she’d arrived, but sheimagined if she did she’d see a very tired, mussed from travel version of theput together lawyer who’d started her day very early that morning, and she wasamazed that Meredith could be attracted to her right now. “Are youdisappointed?”

Meredith scrunched her brow. “When I looked up to see you framedin the doorway, I was so excited to see you. Did I want to jump your bones?Absolutely. But I also wanted to get you alone and talk and cuddle and share ameal, and all the other things that two people do when they’re dating. Tworegular people that aren’t in separate cities or beholden to insanely busyschedules.” She pulled Stevie closer until their foreheads were touching. “So,no, I’m not disappointed. I’m just happy you’re here.”

A warm flush coursed through Stevie. “Thank you.”

Meredith motioned to the bag she’d brought. “Now go change out ofthat skirt and into the very unsexy pajamas I brought you.”

Stevie walked into the bedroom and pulled the door almost shut.As she peeled off her suit, she experienced a bit of a thrill knowing Meredithwas in the next room, and for a moment she considered abandoning her resolveand calling out to Meredith to join her.

“I’m glad we’ll have a chance to talk,” Meredith called out.

“Me too.” Stevie shook her head, part relieved the decision hadbeen made for her and part disappointed in the missed opportunity. She changedand took a moment to shake out and brush her hair and splash some water on herface. She did look tired, but there was a glow there too. No matter whathappened tonight, this trip had been a good idea, and she was glad she’d letHannah talk her into it. There would be other opportunities to be alone withMeredith. She had to believe it.

* * *

When Stevie emerged from the bedroom, Meredith let out a lowwhistle. “You look good in my college colors.”

“You’re sweet to say so. I’ve been going since early thismorning, but I have a feeling you have me beat in the how much I had to dotoday department.”

Meredith used the back of her hand to stifle a yawn. “It was along day, but worth it apparently.”

“Apparently.” Stevie reached for the still half full champagneglasses, and handed one to her. “Too much of this will put me to sleep aftersuch a long day, but we should toast your victory. How does it feel to beanother step closer?”

“Ask me in a month.” Meredith’s mind started darting in a milliondirections as she mentally scrolled through her calendar. “Make that less thana month. The first Super Tuesday is right around the corner.”

“You tensed up just now.”

Stevie shifted so she was sitting behind her on the couch andstarted rubbing her shoulders. Slow, lingering circles of amazing relief. “Yourhands are magic.” Meredith groaned. “That feels amazing.” She turned to lookback over her shoulder. “Magic.” She wished she could see Stevie’s face to tellif she’d gone too far with the innuendo.

“I’ll put that on my résumé. It’ll go good with zealous advocacyand vigorous defense.”

“Definitely. You could massage the jurors and all the not guiltyswould be yours.”

“Filing that idea away for future use. If that fails, I couldtake this talent on the road and soothe weary presidential candidates.”

“Candidates plural? Think again.” Meredith reached a hand up andpressed it into Stevie’s. “I’m not sharing this with anyone.” There she wentagain with the innuendo, but she didn’t care. She was determined to enjoy thismoment, this night, and not let thoughts about what would happen tomorrow ornext week or next month get in her head and spoil the little time she had toshare with Stevie.

“So, how is the campaign going?” Stevie asked. “Earlier it lookedlike you wanted to say something. If you want to talk, I’m happy to be asounding board, and I’m known to be very good at keeping secrets.”

Meredith tussled with how to respond, not wanting to talk shop,but figuring it might be safer than other topics. Besides, she really could usea sounding board. “Okay, here goes. I’m sure you know this already, but myfamily believes that public office is a calling and many are called, but noteveryone gets chosen.”

She watched Stevie nod, clearly interested in what she had tosay, but sharing her feelings this way was a big step. When it came to familybusiness, the Mitchells had an unspokenomertà,and if what she was about to say got out, it would be fodder for the media, andcould drive a wedge in her relationship with her family.

“I meant what I said about keeping secrets,” Stevie said. “I’mnot fishing here. You don’t have to tell me what’s going on, but you shouldfind someone you can talk to. Outside the bubble of Team Meredith.”

“Are you telling me you’re not on Team Meredith?”

“Oh, I’m head cheerleader, but I’m not working for you and that’sa big difference.” Stevie’s fingers stroked hers as she spoke. “I’m sure youhave people you can talk to.”

Meredith ran through the list. The only other person she couldthink of that she trusted to vent to was Addison, but Addison wasn’t here,sitting next to her, giving her a glorious massage. Stevie was, and if she wasgoing to take their relationship to the next level, she needed to be able totrust her. Right? She took the plunge.

“Jen is four years older than me. She’s run for public office acouple of times. Nothing big, just some local races in New York.” She scannedStevie’s face for signs she already knew this information, and was pleasantlysurprised to see no sign that she was sharing old news. It was a casualty ofbeing born into a famous family—never quite being sure if everyone you metalready knew everything about you.

“I assume she either didn’t win her campaigns or she decidedelected office wasn’t for her.”

“She won a seat on a town council, but when she launched her bidfor statewide office, it came out that she’d been having an affair with thehusband of one of her fellow Junior Leaguers—a very influential member—and hercareer was instantly tanked. No amount of Mitchell political magic couldresurrect her aspirations after that, and she settled for a support role inlittle sister’s political future.”

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