Page 50 of Anything For This Love

“Just right now?” He presents the question playfully, but his eyes reveal his apprehension.

“No, not just now. I’ll always need you.”

His eyes soften and he cups my face, bringing his lips down on mine. I miss his warmth the moment he ends the kiss and drops his hand, but I remind myself there will be more later.

We kiss Chloe goodbye and head toward the Potomac River where all the festivities are in full swing by the time we arrive. There’s a band playing and lots of people milling about. Several shops and restaurants are open for business with food trucks lined up along the perimeter.

We step into line for a truck that boasts “the best street tacos in D.C.”, hoping that promise holds true. Jacob pulls his phone from his pocket as the line grows shorter and shorter. His eyes scroll over the screen before he looks up at me.

“How do you feel about doing that dinner cruise my parents were talking about?”

“Huh?” I ask with a mix of confusion and surprise.

“One of the couples couldn’t make it and my parents now have two tickets that no one is going to use.”

“Sure.” I shrug, throwing caution to the wind. After last night, being around Jacob’s parents isn’t nearly as uncomfortable and awkward as it once was. Besides, I’ve never been on a cruise ship before, and I love enjoying new experiences with Jacob.

He types out a quick text and a minute later, the phone buzzes in his hand. “We don’t have to be there for another forty minutes. Let’s look around.” He takes my hand and leads me away. There’s so much to see and do, we don’t know where to begin.

Something catches Jacob’s eye and he heads toward a booth that sells craft cigars. “This will be perfect for Dad. He loves these for celebrations. It’s the only time he smokes.” He asks to smell one and the middle-aged gentleman behind the table hands one over. Jacob holds it up close to his nose and inhales deeply. “Oh, yeah. He’ll definitely like this.” He completes his purchase and the man places it inside a brown bag and seals it with a sticker that has the company logo on it.

Next, we come upon a vendor selling knock-off designer purses. Jacob asks if I want to stop and I look at him flatly. He chuckles, knowing that would be my answer. We speed past the political party booths, Jacob pulling me along quickly as though he’s afraid to be recognized.

“I hate those booths,” he groans. “Everybody’s so aggressive and pushy. I don’t want them to know who I am because then I’ll either get harassed or mobbed.”

I can’t say I blame him. That kind of attention would be overwhelming.

We continue toward the dock, browsing as we stroll leisurely past more vendors. Jacob retrieves his phone from his pocket to check the time and notices another text from his father. “Looks like the press caught wind that Dad would be on that dinner cruise. They’re camped out down by the river, waiting for people to board.”

“Are they already on the ship?”

“Not yet. They’re waiting on us so they can give us our tickets. We won’t be able to get on without them.”

“Oh. Guess we’d better get down there, then.”

“We’re almost there,” he says as he types out a message to his dad, most likely telling him the same.

It’s not hard to spot Jacob’s parents as there is a crowd gathered around them, cameras aimed at Arthur and microphones shoved in his face. He wears a wide, hopeful smile and answers their questions as politely as possible.

“Ah, there they are!” he says as we approach. “If you’ll excuse me, our other guests have arrived.” Arthur pulls Jacob in for a hug while I stand back and watch, purposely avoiding looking at the few reporters still lingering. “Here you go.” He hands the tickets over to Jacob, turning to board the boat. Evelyn follows behind them and Jacob motions for me to go in front of him.

“Jacob, will you be casting your vote for Senator Daniels in the primaries?” one reporter asks, holding a microphone out to him.

“Of course. I fully support him and believe he is the best person for the job.”

“How long have you and Miss Harris been dating?”

I nearly trip over my own feet, drawing up short once I steady myself.How the hell do they know my name?

Before either of us can reply, a young woman with a beanie pulled down over her short blonde hair pipes up from the back. “Sources claim you and Miss Harris have a young daughter that no one knew about until recently. They also claim you never wanted her, and have only recently reconnected with Miss Harris and your child.”

Shock and anger steal my breath and my stomach knots with revulsion. I glance up to see Art and Evelyn standing at the threshold of the boat, eyes wide with surprise and something else.Fear.They watch as I draw in a few large breaths and weigh what to do next. I can’t pretend I didn’t hear her. My reaction is a dead giveaway that her vile statement hit its mark.

I turn slowly, squaring my shoulders.

“Abby,” Jacob warns, his voice low as his hand presses insistently on my lower back. It’s not hard enough to hurt or cause me to lose my balance, but it’s enough pressure to tell me to keep moving and not engage with any of them.

“Jacob is an excellent father.” I stand tall, speaking with an authority I don’t feel. “Since the moment he found out about our daughter, he has been head over heels for her.”

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