Page 38 of Ace

“You don’t mind if we talk in here with the doors shut?” The senator’s face now looked more tired than smiling.

“Of course. What was going on with that?”

He shook his head. “There’s a lot going on surrounding your favorite part of the world. They are waiting for interviews from any of us who have involved ourselves in the resolution over there.”

“What exactly is going on?”

He adjusted his tie. “What isn’t going on?”

She nodded. “I bet it’s never slow at your office no matter what.”

“True.” He grinned. “But we love it. We’ve been talking about doing this our whole lives, haven’t we?”

“We have.” Dex’s dad had always been the one to support their talks of nonprofit work. And through his career, he had kept a finger on the pulse of the programs and the big players in a world full of need. “But now we have some big guns pointed at each other, and we need to talk about how to still get aid to the people who need it.”

“We were just talking about that.”

“I knew you would be.” He pulled a folder out of his bag. “I’ve got all the information my staff gathered on the situation, which islands are effected and what is being done. Anything not specifically classified outside your level, they put together for you.”

“Thank you.” She itched to open it and start reading through it right now.

“Share that with Dex.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“The other thing we need to do is to keep building momentum here at home—good press like you just did, appearances at events, smiles and talking to anyone in a position to do something.”

“Okay.” She shook her head. “It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like that. Honestly, I might be more comfortable in my sandals in the jungles.”

“You’ll do great. Our first event is Friday night. Take Dex. It’s black-tie. Everyone involved will be there. And some other players that could get more positive press for the situation.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a reelection gala.”

She tilted her head. “I’m happy to come and support you. But is that what this is about?”

“Of course I’ve always got reelection on my radar, but in this case, I really think you will meet some important people who can assist you, as well as get some positive press.”

“You have been a constant aid to our nonprofit. It’s because of you that we were even created in the first place.” She wanted him to know how much she appreciated his constant support. “I’d love to come. Does Dex know?”

“Not yet.”

She was aware of Tony’s eyes and the senator’s staff, so she didn’t ask what she might have were she alone with Dex’s dad. Was he trying to set them up?

He cleared his throat. “And I was thinking, perhaps you could bring your parents as well?”

“Hm. I think you two need to work out whatever you’ve got going on.”

“Only too right.” He stood. “Very good. Take a look at those files. And as always, be in touch with new developments and updates.”

“Thank you Mr. Senator.” She shook his hand, smiling into his eyes. “We appreciate you more than you will ever know.”

“And we appreciate you.” He indicated the warehouse. “Look at this. Look at what we’ve done.”

“It’s fantastic, I know.” She handed him a press kit. “This has all the updated statistics.” She turned to Tony.

“Tony has been the man keeping it all together while I’ve been on the ground setting things up overseas.”

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