Page 26 of An Impossible Love
Chapter Thirteen
Nahla Delaney was as beautiful, intelligent, and witty as Peyton had painted her. She had agreed—eventually—to have dinner with the president, and now as they sat alone in his private dining room, Orin found himself enjoying her company.
Peyton had indeed arranged a guest chef to come in and cook for them, and they had enjoyed sea bass with asparagus, beautifully prepared, with asauce vierge, followed by roast lamb, tender and juicy. Now, they were eating a green tea sorbet with a delicious and delicate lime mousse.
So far, the conversation had revolved around Nahla’s work as a human rights lawyer, and their talk had naturally turned to the Brookes Ellis sex trafficking case.
“I know you can’t tell me specifics, Mr. President, but if I can be any help? The whole thing is disgusting, but all too prevalent, I know.”
Orin nodded. “The whole thing is repellent, but to have the leader of this country so entrenched in such dealings… it’s hard to process.”
“I can imagine.” Nahla put her spoon down. “Does rather put one off one’s food, but I have to say, that was delicious, Mr. President.”
“Orin, please, and thank you. I’ll pass your compliments to the chef.”
“Please do.” Nahla studied him. “Orin… why am I here? I mean, I’d never turn down an invitation from the White House, but this seems… are we on a date?”
Orin hadn’t expected her to be so forthright and for a moment, he was stuck for words. “More of a… hello.”
“A reconnaissance mission?” She was teasing him now, and Orin grinned, relaxing.
“I’m out of practice at this,” he said, with a wry smile, “and now things are more complicated.”
“Sure,” Nahla said, chuckling softly, “I’m sure I was vetted to the nth degree. Let me guess. I’m educated, in a respectable job, and reasonably attractive.”
“Veryattractive,” Orin amended chivalrously, “but yes, you do tick all the boxes. I hate to admit it.”
“Hmm.” Nahla nodded slowly, then smiled at him. “Except, both you and I know that despite the fact we’re friendly… there’s no chemistry.”
Orin laughed then. “Man, you really are brutally honest.”
“Orin, you’re a bachelor president, an Independent. You’ve already instigated a huge change to how the Presidency is perceived, and thank God for it. So, don’t sell yourself short when it comes to choosing your partner in life, for goodness sake. Don’t let the American public bully you into a marriage of convenience. Tell them screw it, you’re going to marry for love and no other reason.”
Orin smiled. “Believe me, I want to. But it’s a matter of…” He trailed off. Could he ask this woman about the ramifications of beginning an affair with a subordinate? As the president? “Hypothetical?”
Nahla smiled. “Go for it.”
“What if the person I was interested in… worked for me?”
Nahla sighed. “Well, then you’d get into workplace law and fraternizing. It could be seen as coercion if the person was a much lower rank. What are we talking here?”
“Ha,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t say.”
“But there’s someone?”
He nodded. “There is. Look, Nahla, I’m sorry to bring you into this charade, but I’m not sorry to have met you.”
“Same here, Orin, really. And besides,” she gave him a wicked smile, “if we slept together, I couldn’t honestly make a play for attorney general in a few years.”
Orin raised his glass. “I can see it. And speaking of White House Roles… you know Flynt Mitchum is retiring in October? We’ll begin short-listing soon. I’d add your name to it without hesitation.”
“As a thank you fornotsleeping with you, sir?”
Orin laughed and sighed. “Nahla, I swear, what a shame about that damn chemistry.”
“I know.”
They went to have drinks in his private lounge, and at midnight, they shook hands, parting as friends and probably future colleagues. Nahla sized him up and down. “You’re a gorgeous man, Mr. President. Whoever she is, I’m sure you can make it work.”
