Page 48 of Pursuit of Happiness

Meredith pulled on a Jefferson T-shirt and handed her favorite,super worn, super soft one to Stevie, and then led the way to the kitchen. Shemissed this apartment. Her place in DC was small and furnished with only thebasics, but here she had a few more creature comforts including a largekitchen. She opened the fridge and peered inside. “We have lots of choices. Ican make us an omelet or a grilled cheese or—”

Stevie peered over her shoulder. “You sure do have a lot of foodin there for someone who doesn’t actually live here.”

“Erica stocked it for me.” Meredith started pulling ingredientsout and setting them on the counter. “I make a mean omelet.”

“Erica is pretty all-purpose for a driver.”

Meredith heard a question beneath the statement, and she stoppedwhat she was doing. “This was a special favor. I figured the fewer people whoknew you were here, the better.” She studied Stevie’s face. “Something’sbothering you.”

“It’s nothing.”

But it wasn’t nothing, and Meredith could feel her withdraw.Desperate to recapture the easy intimacy they’d enjoyed all evening, she tookStevie’s hand and led her to the kitchen table. “Have a seat and tell me what’son your mind.”

“I feel a little silly since I’m the one who made a big dealabout not wanting to be included in the vortex of attention that surrounds you,but I guess I’m wondering how I fit in your life. I know I should just enjoythe moments we have and not try to make it more than it is.” She hung her head.“I’m sorry. I don’t want to spoil tonight.”

Meredith’s heart ached at the sight of Stevie looking out ofsorts. She tilted Stevie’s chin up. “Don’t be sorry. This is an importantconversation, and I’m sorry I haven’t made time for it.” Stevie started tospeak, but Meredith rushed ahead. “My life is absolute chaos right now, and Iwouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to be a part of it. But I want you toknow that despite my days being booked down to the minute, not an hour goes bythat I’m not thinking about you and wishing I could see you, talk to you.” Shestroked Stevie’s arm. “Touch you.” She locked eyes with Stevie imploring her toget the full thrust of what she was about to say. “I’ve never felt this wayabout anyone, and I don’t know what that means beyond tonight, but I do knowthat I’m not ready to let you go.”

“I’m not ready to let you go either.”

“Then all we have to do is work out the logistics. I’d be proudto have you by my side anywhere, anytime.” Meredith pushed away the replay ofGordon’s voice telling her to tread carefully, especially when it came tooptics. If Stevie started appearing with her at events, people would naturallystart to speculate on the details of their relationship. Were they dating? Wasit long-term? She didn’t care for the fact her personal life was never offlimits, but not having one at all wasn’t any kind of life. Besides, what kindof leader would she be if she didn’t have a personal life?

“I want you in my life in whatever capacity you feel comfortable.If that means staying out of the limelight, I get it. If you want to join me onthe trail when you can, I’d love to have you. I don’t ever want you to thinkI’m keeping you a secret for any reason other than for your comfort. I’m nottrying to hide anything from the public about who I am, and I have no problemwith potential voters seeing me cast as a woman who has a personal life.” Shelaughed. “Hell, Lankin makes such a big deal about how he has a family, and I’mjust some single woman who can’t relate to the average American family. Seriouslythough, I promise I won’t share anything about you to the press that you don’twant me to.”

“I’m not quite sure what I’m up for yet, but I feel betterknowing where things stand between us. Thanks for indulging me.”

Meredith walked around behind Stevie’s chair and wrapped her armsaround her. “Indulging you is easy. Whatever you want, whenever you’re ready.”She nibbled on Stevie’s ear. “But right now, I have a special request of myown.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Can there be omelets and sex?”

Stevie leaned her head back and captured Meredith’s lips in akiss. “Does it have to be in that order?”

Chapter Sixteen

Stevie heard a whispered voice in her ear, but she couldn’tquite climb out of the deep slumber induced by a full night of sex.

“Babe, I hate to do this.”

Meredith’s voice. She’d heard the voice in her ear all night,coaxing her to orgasm, but this was different. There was an urgency that hadnothing to do with arousal. She rolled over and squinted into the light to seeMeredith dressed in a suit standing at the edge of the bed. “What’s happening?”

“I’m sorry, babe, but I have to go. The majority leader called avote on the gun control bill, and he needs all hands on deck to get it to pass.I think he’s hoping the Republicans won’t be able to cobble together anopposition this quickly. I’m taking a charter back to DC in less than an hour.”

Stevie pushed up from the bed, still struggling to wake up. “Ishould go too.”

“Nonsense. It’s six a.m. You stay here and sleep. Erica can pickyou up when you’re ready. I left her number on the kitchen counter. Call mewhen you’re back in DC. I told Gordon I’m taking tonight off since theschedule’s on the rails anyway. I should be free by five at the latest.”Meredith leaned down and kissed her. “Besides, you’ll need some rest for what Ihave planned later.”

Stevie slipped her hands around Meredith’s waist and returned thekiss. She should get up, get dressed, and head home, but the offer to stay inbed for just a bit longer and nest in sheets that smelled of their lovemakingwas too tempting to resist. “Okay, but you’re going to need a nap, so see ifyou can fit that in.”

“Will do.” Meredith straightened up, but she seemed hesitant toleave.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” She smiled. “I guess I just like this look. Sleepy,tousled Stevie tangled in my bedsheets. I could get used to this.”

Stevie sighed, content to bask in Meredith’s glowing gaze. Herdoubts had subsided, and she was ready to figure out how to make this—whateverthis was between them—work.

Sometime later, she rolled over in bed and checked the alarmclock. It was nine a.m. Holy shit, she didn’t remember the last time she’dslept so late. Of course, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d stayed upso late for anything other than poring over case files. This morning-after sexhazy feeling was much better than that. She swung her legs out of bed andfished Meredith’s Jefferson T-shirt from the floor where she’d tossed it thenight before. She pulled it on and made her way to the kitchen. Beside the notewith Erica’s number was another message.

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