Page 3 of Capitally Engaged

“We’re right here.” Preston stepped ahead of me to open the door next to the stairwell. As we entered, I readSenator MitchellMarsden, Rhode Island, on a plaque to the right of the solid oak doorframe.

“Our staff bathroom is right through there.” Preston pointed to a seating area to the left of the doorway. “My cubicle is the first one on the left down that hallway.” He pointed again, this time directly in front of us.

I bolted to the left, getting a thank you out before shutting the door to the bathroom behind me. The situation was the most dire right before relief, as usual.

As I sat there, my hands cradled my head. I couldn’t believe I’d followed a staffer into a senator’s office for this. It was a top three all-time bathroom desperation story. One I would look forward to telling my gastroenterologist when I had my long-awaited appointment with them next month. I’d let Doc weigh in on if it belonged ahead of or behind when my date left me behind thinking I bailed since I spent so long in the bathroom after we ordered. Joke’s on her though. I got to take both entrées home,andthe waitress comped me a dessert since technically I got ditched.

After a while, it seemed safe to move on, and I looked at myself in the mirror as I washed my hands. Now that the urgency of the situation was behind me, the mirror showed my flushed cheeks redden as I considered facing Preston, unassuming IBS savior of the week. I gathered my coat and bag from where I dropped them on the floor and bit the inside of my cheek. Could I sneak out of here without facing him again? I hadn’t been paying super close attention to our journey into the Russell Building, but figured I could find my way out if I needed to.

After I sprayed the low-fragrance air freshener I kept in my bag for such occasions, I looked down at the visitor badge around my neck. My other badge seemed to glow brightly from where it sat buried deep in my bag. I wasn’t even sure I couldleave the building as a visitor without my escort, and the badge in my bag would get me out of here through a different entrance, no problem. Though, since I technically didn’t have an active contract, I was positive if my boss found out I used it, I could kiss that contract renewal goodbye.

The door to the offices slammed against the wall like someone had pushed it open with all their strength. I jumped, wondering who would have the balls to enter a senator’s office that way.

“Fucking nosy people and their questions.” A man’s voice filtered through the closed door to the bathroom. “I want a moratorium on unvetted people in this office for the next week. Or until Warfield Pippen from the House fucks up again. Anyone responsible for another soul in this office who isn’t a spouse or a blood relative is done. Make sure to tell the fucking interns.” The voice got closer. “Brandt, we’re going to need to revisit that speech. Politico published another hit piece, and it’s blowing up big time.”

My eyes widened as I realized that voice belonged to Senator Marsden. In my current job, I covered the House, so was all too familiar with Pippen and his fuck-ups, as well as his continuous feud with the first-term senator from his state. Now that Pippen was running for the senator nomination for the opposite party in the upcoming election, things had reached a new level of nuclear between them. I nervously reached up to straighten my hair and hat, wondering how I could sneak out of this bathroom. I definitely counted as an unvetted intruder in the office, and, at least for now, also a political reporter. That could be disastrous for Preston.

Footsteps approached the door where I hid in haste. “Wait,” a voice I recognized as Preston’s called. It sounded like he cut in front of his boss, blocking his access to the bathroom. I could detect a tinge of panic in his voice, even from that one word.

“What, Brandt? I need to piss,” Mitchell snapped.

“Uh, we need more toilet paper.”

My eyes shifted to the full roll on the dispenser. Preston intended to come in to replace the toilet paper and would come out with a human?

“Pretty sure a shake or two, and I’m fine. But your delicate sensitivities are noted,” he said. I didn’t hear anyone walking away from the bathroom. Preston must still be standing guard, but for how long?

“And uh, there’s someone in there,” Preston said, sounding likehewas going to be the one needing an emergency bathroom trip next.

“What?” the senator asked. His tone portrayed pure ice.

“Uh, give me a second.” A knock on the door came next. “Everything okay in there?”

I took a deep breath, unlocked the door, and opened it. Preston stood right in front of me. His eyes were wide, and his cheeks painted with a faint flush. I’d bet money—I didn’t have— that if he didn’t have a jacket on, I’d see pit stains.

“Follow my lead, okay?” he muttered, holding his hand out to me. Not seeing how I had any other choice, I took a deep breath and put my hand in his. Preston turned around to face the senator.

“Who the fuck is this, Brandt?”

“Senator Marsden, please meet my fiancée.”

Chapter

Two

Preston

Jax tensed under my hand that found its way around her waist while I delivered a boldfaced lie to my boss. I reached for her instinctively and found myself relieved she didn’t balk at my touch the way she had in the visitors center. Beads of sweat dripped down my back as I glanced her way. Relief flooded my system to see an expression that displayed no signs of surprise at my declaration. Mitchell did not respond as graciously.

“Your fiancée? I’ve never seen you bring a partner around anywhere. I honestly thought you might be...” Jax winced next to me. “Ace or aromantic or something.”

“I just try to keep my personal life separate from my work life,” I answered. Not that there had been much personal life to speak of for the past several years. But to pull this off, he definitely didn’t need to know that.

This one exchange exemplified the man I had hooked my professional wagon to. He held very progressive and inclusive views, with absolutely no filter. I imagined Jax flinched because she assumed his next word would infer I was gay. Nope, no homophobia here, just a lack of tact that you still shouldn’tspeculate, especially out loud, about someone’s orientation from their lack of significant others. At least we were in our offices this time, but the woman next to me was a reporter, after all.

“That’s usually my rule too, but Preston here makes breaking all my rules worthwhile. Jacqueline Carter, it’s nice to meet you, Senator.” Jacqueline for my boss, but Jax for me. I didn’t know what to make of the disparity, let alone the enthusiasm with which she was selling our situation. Senator Marsden returned her shake half-heartedly before pulling out his phone.

“Hmm,” the senator said, only half participating in a conversation he started. Another winning quality we hadn’t been able to break him of. “You work in politics too?” His disinterest was clear.

---