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“As long as I don’t have to keep you from being arrested, I’m good.” He tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. “One time was more than enough.”

My heart clenched. The love between them was visible to anyone who saw them together.

At least my best friend would get her happily ever after.

I shook the sadness from my mind. No time to wallow—it was time to enjoy my weekend. Who knew how long it would be before I had another free one?

I jumped into gear and started the prep for our snacks.

Chapter Five

“Tara.I can’t believe you’re finally here,” I shouted as I rushed down the front steps of the house and wrapped my arms around my dear friend Tara Zain.

“I need this so much, Jaci. Thank you for inviting me.” Tara squeezed me tight.

As one of the top attorneys in the United States who specialized in international law and human rights, she epitomized a badassed, take-no-one’s-shit negotiator. She had been dubbed “The Commander” by those she’d faced while handling various cases around the world.

In the past few weeks, she’d gotten more than her fair share of media coverage after she negotiated the nonviolent release of a group of kidnapped girls whose captors planned to sell as child brides in a remote region between India and Pakistan. There had been a lot of controversy and criticism about her role, especially since our government hadn’t sanctioned her involvement.

President Edgar’s disinterest in the situation had frustrated me to no end, especially since there were at least seventy American children involved. When Tara stepped in and invited the media, she’d put a spotlight on the lack of action by the current administration in matters of international affairs. In the end, people viewed Tara as a hero but at the cost of her privacy.

Neither the president nor Tara knew I had a plan up my sleeve if things didn’t calm down by the end of the coming week. It was risky and could potentially cause me severe backlash, but it was worth it to do the right thing while protecting my friend.

I knew for a fact if Tara had been a man and aligned with the Republican Party, President Edgar would have jumped at the chance to celebrate the successful release of the children. Hell, the only reason the chauvinistic ass praised me at every opportunity was to make himself look less bigoted and more open minded.

If he only realized that half our party couldn’t stand him and could see right through his words to the man underneath.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this weekend to get here,” I told Tara.

“Are you sure having me under your roof won’t politically hurt you?”

I guided her toward the house. “You need us, and I will never turn my back on you.”

“I’ve missed you and Samina so much. It’s been nearly two years since we’ve done anything together.” She gave me a weary but genuine smile. “Mom and Dad told me you need to come to the house next time you’re in Seattle.”

“I wouldn’t miss seeing them for the world. Your mom’s cooking is to die for. I’ve always wondered how you kept your hot body when you grew up eating her food.”

“It wasn’t easy, but soccer and track helped keep my metabolism charged.” She adjusted the straps of her bag and scanned the yard. “Who’s going to be here?”

The tension in her shoulders told me she wanted to know about one specific person.

“Don’t worry. Sam said Ashur had a meeting in New York, so he couldn’t make it.”

She visibly relaxed.

Tara and Ashur had been a couple the summer before Tara had left for college. Ashur had just graduated from Harvard and was transitioning into his role in his father’s company when he’d run into Tara, who was interning on the data collections floor.

They’d fallen for each other so hard, but Ashur’s father had orchestrated the demise of the relationship. He was against his son having any relationship with the daughter of a no-name programmer in his company. Minesh Kumar expected his children to marry within their circle of influence, and Tara was definitely not part of that group. Ashur’s father threatened Tara into choosing between Ashur and her family’s livelihood. In the end, Tara called it off with Ashur. She’d never told him the reason, and until a few years ago she hadn’t known that Minesh Kumar had told his son that she’d left him for another man.

“Good. I’m not ready for any incident with Ashur. He hasn’t gotten over the past, and I’m too tired right now to battle with him or his representatives.”

I frowned. “Did I miss something? When did you guys interact? Last I knew, the two of you avoided each other like the plague.”

During Samina’s election, Tara had used honed disinterest to handle any contact involving Ashur, pretending she couldn’t see him or his six-foot-three frame.

“Do me a favor, forget I said anything. I need a relaxing weekend without any reminders of the world outside your gates.”

“Okay, I hear you. Let’s partake in a few drinks and lounge by the pool before dinner. I have all your favorite food on the menu.”

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