Page 11 of An Impossible Love
“Indeed. We stayed up all night, eating ice cream, sharing joints, and now look where we are.” Moxie laughed, her chuckle deep and throaty.
“Your momma always said weed was a gateway drug. Guess she just didn’t mean the White House gates.”
Moxie grinned, then studied him. “You look like you have something on your mind, O. Spill it.”
Orin smiled, but hesitated. “You get lonely, Mox?”
“Sometimes, I guess. Actually, I’ve been seeing this poly-sci postgrad for a few weeks. Nothing serious, but I like her. What’s up, O, you need me to get you some girls?”
“Best wing-womanever.”
“I’m serious. You know we could arrange for…”
Orin rolled his eyes. “God, Mox, I’m not looking to get laid. I’m just beginning to think there might be more than just work.”
“Hallelujah, he sees the light at last.” Moxie grinned at him, then gave him a questioning look. “Anyone in the running?”
He shook his head. “No one I can have.” He got up and washed his spoon off, drying it on a dishcloth. Years of single life had made him good at housework. He was about to put it away when the next words out of Moxie’s mouth made him freeze.
“Agent Sati?”
Orin turned to face his friend, his expression tense. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to me, but I have known you half your life. She’s gorgeous, Orin, and a sweet girl.”
Orin nodded. “Ha,girl. Exactly. She’s half my ageandmy protection detail. Is there anyone on Earth less available to me?”
Moxie pretended to consider. “The Queen?”
Orin grinned, pretended to look affronted. “You think the Queen wouldn’t want to get withthis?” He pulled a bodybuilder’s pose to make her laugh, and Moxie covered her eyes.
“I will never un-see that now. When you’re talking to the Russian president or the ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, I’ll look at you and just see that.” She giggled as he made an even more ridiculous pose.
“Just called me Fabio.”
A small cough behind him made him start, and he looked around to see Emmy Sati trying to hide a grin. “Mr. President.”
Moxie chuckled. “You missed the worst of it, Em. Really.”
Orin felt both embarrassed and absurdly pleased to see Emmy. He loved that shy smile, the pink blush in her cheeks. “Good evening, Agent. You get the graveyard shift tonight?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I won’t blame you if you fall asleep.” God, his small talk neededwork. Moxie obviously thought so, too, given the massive eye roll she gave him. She hopped off her stool.
“Well, I’ll say goodnight, folks.” With a wave, she was gone, shooting Orin a meaningful look that he couldn’t figure out. Was she encouraging him or warning him off?
Orin watched as Emmy spoke into her earpiece. “I’m with Eagle, check.”
“Copy that, Em.”
“Always vigilant.” Orin smiled down at her. God, the curve of her bottom lip. He wished he could trace it with his finger, pressed his own lips to it. He was aware he was staring, but he couldn’t look away. Her eyes were so big, such a warm brown surrounded by thick black lashes, devoid of makeup; they made his stomach quiver.
Emmy looked away, and he realized once again that he was out of line. “Say,” he said lightly, “Walk me back to the Rose Garden, would you? I could do with some fresh air.”
“Of course, Mr. President.”
They walked through the White House and to the Rose Garden. Outside, it was freezing, but neither mentioned it. “Tell me something about yourself, Agent Sati.”
