Page 65 of Senator

“So, it’s true?” He continued to stare at my hand.

I nodded and moved down the hall leading to the Senate chamber. “I’m sure you read about it in the newspapers.”

“It’s just hard to believe the two of you are getting married, but seeing the ring…” He broke off and grasped the back of his neck.

“For the record, you could have had your chance. I wouldn’t have stood in the way. He loves you as I…” It was my turn to trail off.

Shit, I had done a good job of keeping my mind away from Veer, and now seeing Chris, everything was resurfacing.

He touched my arm gently, making me pause my stride, and whispered, “As you love the governor.”

I remained quiet, not confirming this statement. If I said anything, my voice would quiver and the resolve I’d built over the last few weeks would crumble.

After a few seconds, I said, “I wanted you two together. Kevin deserves to have happiness.”

Chris lifted his gaze to mine. There were dozens of emotions swimming in his eyes. The former model-turned-shipping magnate, in his impeccable clothes, looked as if his world had shattered.

“I wanted to make you an enemy. I wanted you to be the typical small-minded Southern politician, and then I wanted to hate you for loving Kevin and being able to give him the life I refused. He’s so loyal to you that I was jealous. I…” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I should have told my family to screw themselves and come out when he wanted to. But I didn’t, and now our lives are going in different directions.”

“Chris, why are you telling me this? You’re engaged to Kathy. She’s a wonderful person, who doesn’t deserve to be hurt by this. You made a choice. Now you have to accept the consequences.”

“She does deserve better. That’s why we called it off.”

“Say that again?” I’d received aSave the Datefor Christopher and Kathy’s wedding only a week earlier.

It had come during a visit by Kevin. He hadn’t taken it well, but this time he hadn’t drunk himself into a stupor. Instead, he’d wanted to call a bunch of our friends and go dancing. The both of us had had more fun than we’d anticipated and had ended up pictured in a few tabloids as the up-and-coming “it” couple in DC.

“Kathy and I decided it was better to end our engagement. Just like you, she’s always known about my sexuality. She agreed to our arrangement for reasons I won’t go into, but in the end, we both realized neither of us would be truly happy together. Our friendship was a hell of a lot more important than family image and expectation.”

Holy shit. I’d completely misinterpreted what Kathy knew about Kevin and Chris all along.

I studied Chris. He inhaled deep, as if he was trying to form the right words without offending me. I had a feeling I knew what he was trying to tell me.

Instead of waiting for him to speak, I asked, “Does this mean you want to get back together with Kevin?”

He pinched his lips together, then nodded.

“If Kevin wants you, I’ll step aside in a second.”

Chris sighed and then closed his eyes, shaking his head. “I tried to call him, but he refused to speak with me. I’ve left at least thirty messages. I’m desperate and hoped you’d help me.”

Refusal was on my lips. However, I held it. Instead, I said, “You ripped Kevin’s heart to shreds. He was willing to sacrifice his whole future for you.”

At that moment a group of House representatives passed us. We waited until they were at a distance before resuming our conversation.

“I won’t let him down again.” The determination in his voice made me soften toward him. He genuinely meant what he said.

However, I wasn’t going to help him until I knew what lengths he was willing to go for Kevin.

“I won’t let you hurt him again. He deserves someone who will sacrifice as much as he does.”

“I told my family.”

I cocked my head to the side. “What, exactly, do they know?”

“They know I’m gay. There was no point in mentioning Kevin unless he was willing to…” He paused, gathering his thoughts and then spoke again. “Please help me, Jacinta.”

I released a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll talk to him tonight after the No Bride fundraiser. His flight doesn’t get in until a little before we are to meet, so I can’t do it any earlier.”

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