Page 16 of Capitally Engaged

Honestly, I think I’d be less surprised if he said he was engaged to Marsden.

Hunter

So, while he’s busy, spill the details, Hayden. What’s she like? Is she like you-know-who?

Hayden

I’ll give exclusive details to whomever offers me the best bribe in a private message.

Make that tomorrow morning. Charlotte’s drawing us a bath.

Hunter

My eyessssss.

Duncan

You’re all going to turn me grey.

Spencer

Hate to break it to you…

Hunter

You’re already there.

Chapter

Seven

Jax

I’ve never attended a political fundraising dinner before, but it didn’t surprise me to find few differences than standing on a press line. Well, less shouting and more drinking than most press lines, but still. The schmoozing skills I picked up over the years working for different news outlets transferred directly. Preston found himself pulled away from the table several times to talk to this person or that, once by the senator to go over something else in the speech.

“Oh, he’s not finished,” I said, stopping the waiter from taking away Preston’s plate. His food had probably grown cold by now, but I wanted to be sure he had a chance to eat more.

“Sorry about that,” Preston said, sitting back down at the table. “Oh, my food’s still here?” He looked surprised.

“Oh yeah... I wasn’t sure if you were done or not, so I asked them not to take it when they came back around the last time.” I started to fidget with my napkin, worried I committed some sort of faux pas.

A wide grin split Preston’s face. “Thank you. I never get to eat at these things. They always take my plate because no one’s here to stop them.”

I returned his smile, the knots in my stomach untwisting.

“Fiancée perks,” I said, raising my glass in a toast.

“Fiancée perks,” he responded, clinking his glass with mine.

The rest of the seated portion of the dinner went smoothly. While the senator gave his speech, everyone’s eyes were glued on him, but I couldn’t stop watching Preston. He mouthed the words along with his boss at certain parts. I could picture him up on the stage, being the center of it all. A shame I wouldn’t be around to see it.

Applause broke me out of my reverie, and I saw the senator walking away from the lectern on the stage, shaking hands with those seated at the tables closest to him.

“So now what?” I asked Preston, leaning close to murmur in his ear.

“Now, we shake more hands, drink more drinks, and try to avoid the dance floor.”

“Not a big dancer, Brandt? Things went okay this afternoon.”

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