Page 77 of Accepted Precedent
“Of course!” I reach across the table for her hand. “You’ll all be the first.”
Kristin rests her head on my shoulder and sighs wistfully. “I hope you have one of each.”
“Honestly, I don’t care if they are boys, girls, one of each, or if they grow up to identify as neither. But… I’m scared.” My gaze bounces between the three of them. “What if I’m a shitty mom?”
“Because of what you just said is why you’re going to be an amazing mom,” Ileah insists, covering Jaclyn’s and my joined hands. “You’re going to love them with your whole heart. Plus you have us, Andrew, Mickey,Christopher, and… Finn.”
My nose scrunches at the mention of Chris, making all of us laugh. “I’m never going to get used to calling him that,” I chuckle.
“She’s right though. You have a village, Evie,” Kristin sighs. She’s most definitely buzzed. I can’t remember the last time she let loose, and it’s about time.
Our drinks arrive and we order three dishes to share—pesto fettuccine, vegetarian pizza, and mushroom ravioli with a butter and sage sauce. The girls catch me up on legislation they’re hoping to pass, and embarrassment washes over me. I’ve been out of the game for too long, and neither Mickey or Andy talk about current bills when they’re home. Sadly, I zone out for most of the chatter with nods and hums of agreement until our food arrives.
Once these babies are born, I’ll need to figure out a work-life balance and get back to lobbying or start a non-profit like Mick suggested. I’m capable of so much more than I’ve been doing thepast decade. It’s about time I stop watching everyone else live their dreams while I push mine aside.
Jaclyn excuses herself to use the bathroom, and I can’t help asking Ileah, “Is there any way you’ll forgive Finn for what he did?” She pauses, fork midair, then sets it down. Careful with my wording, I clarify, “What he did was unforgivable, but I hate that one of my closest friends holds any hate in her heart.”
“I love him; I always have. But I’m done with men making decisions for me,” she replies with a sharpness I’m not accustomed to, and I idly wrap fettuccine around my fork.
“Wait…” Kristin glances between us. “Does Jaclyn not know about Finn?”
Ileah shuts her eyes tight and she lowers her gaze. “No.” When her eyes meet mine, tears pool in them. “She’d judge me.”
“No, Lee, she wouldn’t.” I slide out of my side of the booth and sit next to her, wrapping my arms tightly around her shoulders. “Jaclyn fell for her fiancé’s twin brother. If she wants to judge you, she’ll need to look in the damn mirror. I know in my heart Finn never stopped loving you, so if you still want him, let him grovel. Jaclyn will understand, just give her time.”
Kristin clears her throat. “Not to be the bearer of bad news, but you can’t date Finn—or anyone—at least not right now. You’ll need to get through the next election cycle. You got lucky running unopposed in the special election, but that won’t happen next time. Evie’s right, Finn is in love with you, but you worked too hard to throw it away for a man with a huge cock.”
“I never said it was huge,” Ileah laughs, sipping her gimlet as I release her hand.
“The man is at least six-four. There’s no way he’s not packing something massive in his pants.”
“Kristin!” I hiss.
She rolls her eyes as she takes a long drink. Little does she know, Andy would likely break her in half if given the chance. Being married to him is a blessing and a curse—and his dick is certainly not the curse.
Jaclyn takes my old seat and swaps plates. “So, what did I miss?”
“Oh, you know, nothing an old married woman would want to worry herself with,” I tease.
“I’ve barely been married for six months!”
I shrug. “Still technically old and married.”
We all laugh, and I can’t remember the last time I felt this light. I’ve missed Ileah and Jaclyn so much these past few months, and we need more time together like this—no fake smiles for the cameras, no holding back.
As we’re nearly finished with lunch, a man in all black approaches the table. “Mrs. Adams?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Your driver has asked me to take you home.”
“Home? But I have an appointment.”
Ileah grips my thigh as she tells him, “That’s okay. Senator Taylor and I will ensure she has a ride.”
He glances around nervously. “Mickey Gallagher will have my head if we don’t leave soon.”
Mick and Finn have always addressed people formally, and everyone they’ve ever hired does the same. Never once have I heard anyone call himMickey.
