Page 45 of Accepted Precedent
“Andy, what’s going on? Did you two get into an argument or something?”
“No, I just need to get going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He storms off and I have no choice but to paint on a bright smile as I return to Ileah. This has to do with Mickey, I’m sure of it. Andrew is being careless, and I won’t let him throw everything away because of some lover’s quarrel.
Once I’m back at the table, Ileah asks quietly, “Everything okay?”
I refuse to lie to my friend, and opt for a watered-down version of the truth. “Oh, sure. Andrew needs to leave, so I’ll need to arrange a ride home.”
“Tim and I can drive you; Baltimore isn’t too far.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Aren’t you staying here in D.C. for the night?”
She finishes her Old Fashioned in four quick gulps. “Yes, but I can have his driver take you after they drop us off. I’ll just need to ask Tim first.”
Ileah used to be a ruthless lawyer, full of fire. Now she’s asking permission from her husband for a driver to take me home? She used to have her own security detail, own driver, own life.
What has become of us?
“That’s okay. I’ll just call a friend of mine who lives here in the city.”
“Friend of yours?”
I trust her with my life to not say anything and admit, “Mickey Gallagher. He’s a… friend of Andrew’s.”
Her eyes widen. “Gallagher?”
Fuck!
How could I be so stupid? She was—and maybe still is—in love with his brother. I quickly correct, “I use the term friend loosely. He’s helped manage Andrew’s campaign. Has for years. I’m sure he’d hire a service to get me home.”
“Right,” she hums, and I fear I’ve dug the hole deeper.
“Anyway, I’ll send him a quick message and see if he can arrange it so I don’t inconvenience you and Tim.”
My hands are trembling as I take out my phone to text him. I’m just grateful she doesn’t notice.
Are you staying in D.C. tonight?
Mickey
Yes.
I hate when he’s short with me and chew on my lip as I respond.
Could you arrange a discreet ride there?
Of course. It’ll pick you up within the hour.
Thanks.
I love you.
He doesn’t reply for nearly four minutes as I stare at my phone.
Love you too, angel.
With a relieved sigh, I place my phone back in my clutch and spend the next hour making small talk with a few wives who I have nothing in common with. Ileah and I are bored out of our minds, and it’s truly the longest hour of my life. I almost message Mick to see if he can expedite it, but leaving early from a political event like this one would be detrimental to Andrew.
