Page 6 of Accepted Precedent
“I know.” She smiles brightly. “But for what it’s worth, you’d be an amazing dad.”
“Thanks.”
While I appreciate the sentiment, I’d be lying if I agreed. I’d be an absent father with my work schedule, and Mickey would be responsible for ensuring our kids didn’t grow up to be assholes. He’d love every second of it, but in time, he might resent me for it. That’s a reality I want no part of.
Once inside, Evelyn’s eyes widen as she takes in Mickey’s room. “Holy shit,” she mutters, mostly to herself.
“Come on, let’s take a shower. Mick will be pissed if I don’t make sure you’re taken care of.” I wink and help her out of her shirt. I’ve seen Evelyn naked no less than a hundred times, and while she has an incredible body, I don’t lust after her like I do Mickey. There’s just never been a spark between us. Mick makes me feelalive—there’s fire and passion—while Evie is like a warm blanket on a cold day. Both are important to me in different ways.
“Oh, I’m sureDaddywill be just fine if you don’t.”
“He wasn’t joking about that earlier,” I warn.
“I figured as much. I think you were right to stop everything tonight; I don’t think he could’ve handled me,” she teases, turning on the shower. She’s wrong, Mickey would break her like a wild horse, but I don’t correct her. I strip out of my clothes, and as the water warms, she asks, “Do you always do what he wants?”
Her question takes me by surprise, but I shrug as indifferently as possible. “Most of the time.”
“I never took you for being submissive, but I can’t say I blame you. If I had someone like Mickey, I probably would be too.”
“You’re submissive, just in a different way. While I love pleasing him, I think you would get off on fighting anyone who wants you to submit. You’d ultimately give in and love every second of it.”
Steam fills the bathroom, and we step into the shower. She turns the knob, and I wince as the hot water pelts my back; how she can tolerate the heat is beyond me.
“Are you sure you want to marry me? You’d be giving up everything. My being friends with a lobbyist is bad enough, but being married to one…” I take a deep breath and blow it. “You’d have to quit, and it isn’t as if you can date anyone seriously. It’ll be risky to sleep with anyone—everyone in Washington talks. Maybe we should find a random woman to do it.”
Evelyn wets her hair and insists, “I’m sure. It’s only for a few years, plus it’ll give me access to politicians and their wives, sowhen I do go back to work, I’ll have established relationships. We’ll make sure the marriage is portrayed as ending amicably, and no one will be the wiser. Win-win.”
“I still feel guilty about it.” I squirt a dollop of shampoo into my hands and lather it together, then begin washing her hair.
“Don’t,” she rushes out, and I freeze. “No, not that. It feels really good.” Offering a sweet smile, she clarifies, “Don’t feel guilty. This is my choice. It’ll allow you to still be with Mick—even if it’s just in secret—while also living your dream.”
I continue massaging the shampoo into her scalp and brushing it through to the ends. “What about your dreams?”
“It’s temporary, but I may need to add hair washing to the prenup.”
“I’ll be sure to tell the lawyers.”
For the first time since we left happy hour, things feel like they’re almost back to normal—likeus—as if the car ride never happened.
“I don’t expect you to be celibate; you can sleep with other people so long as you’re quiet about it. We’ll need to draw up NDAs though.”
“I hate that you have to keep your relationship a secret,” she sighs, shutting her eyes and swallowing thickly.
I tilt her chin to look at me. “Mickey and his brother are two of the most powerful men in Washington. It would hurt everyone’s careers if anyone found out. I love him, but unless things change, there’s no way we’ll have a fairytale happily ever after.”
“How is it that everyone I know is shackled to political servitude?” Evie grumbles, helping me rinse her hair. “I know Ileah was seeing someone in secret, but is now marrying Tim.”
I still at the mention of Ileah’s situation. After one two many drinks, Mickey let it slip that his brother is in love with Ileah. If Ileah loves Finn, I’m no better than her—marrying for politics instead of love.
“Who’s next? Jaclyn?” Evie continues, and I grab the conditioner and finger-comb it through Evie’s thick auburn locks, ensuring the ends get extra attention. “Back in college, she was close with Alex Blake. But because of her father’s aspirations to be President, she had to cut ties. It’s only a matter of time before she’s married off to some billionaire or aspiring President. And now I’m going to marry my best friend because America is full of assholes who don’t understand that who we love isn’t a choice.”
“You should put that on a pillow,” I tease, but she’s right.
I could walk away from the chance to represent marginalized voices—be selfish and live out loud. Except I’d hate myself for it. I was meant for more, and so was Evelyn. If she makes this sacrifice for me, I’ll forever be indebted to her. Hell, our whole country will owe her a thank you. Once it’s all over, hopefully we’ll get our happily ever afters. At the very least, I’ll ensure she gets hers.
“Well, since I’ll be quitting my job, I’ll have time for needlepoint.” While she says it in jest, my heart squeezes, and I can’t help pulling her closer. “Hey, I’m good, I promise! Just buy me any vibrator I add to my shopping cart, and we’ll call it even.”
There’s a knock on the open ensuite door. “I ordered pizza, it’ll be here in ten. Someone will bring it upstairs for you with plateswhen you’re done showering. Also, there are clothes laid out on the bed. I’ll be back in an hour.”
