Page 4 of Devoted Love: A BWWM Romance

I remove the napkin from my lap, trying to devise the best way to decline Erik’s request. I remove my jacket, loosen my tie, and fold over. I silently struggle to take deep breaths to relieve the pressure gathering in my chest.

Managing political campaigns requires a unique set of skills I possess, but the toll it takes on me physically was near-fatal last campaign season.

Excuses are for the weak.

Politics isn’t for those with marshmallows in place of their spines. I sit up facing my best friend—the only constant person in my life since boarding school. So, I’ll do whatever it takes to help him make this happen if…he understands what he’s asking for.

“Politics, Erik?”

"You know I've always enjoyed politics. Hell, one day I'd like to run for governor. I see this as the first step to getting my foot in the door." His smile is greasy, slick.

A lifelong friendship means I know his highs, lows, and the location of his skeletons. He’s able to overcome them all except for one vice, women.

“Who’s the woman?”

“Ahhh, man. Ryker, I'm offended."

“Tell me quick. I have another appointment.”

“Ryker,” he holds up his hands to gain my attention, “I really want this.”

"And I'm not an idiot. Who is she?" I lean back, hoping this isn’t another one of his harebrained schemes.

"Okay, …okay. Her name is—"

I stand up and toss my napkin on the table. I know this man like I know myself. Yes, he's always aspired to hold a political office, but the last time he mentioned it was in high school, thanks to a redhead named Rebecca.

"If you're serious, you have my full support. But…" I fold forward, placing my hands on the table, "I want to see genuine initiative. We have enough work to spread out across ten men. The last thing we need is you cooking up another way to get laid and pulling me into it." I turn to leave.

“Ryker, I’ll prove you wrong.”

I hear something lingering in his voice, and I glance back. "What's different?"

“She’s different.”

"Wrong answer." I shake my head. Very few women are truly different, especially in Erik's world. "If she's still different after six months, now that will be different." I laugh at my own joke glancing at the time. I can't stay out too late. I'm preparing a merger for a client, which means I have a night of reviewing facts and figures ahead of me.

"I'm not waiting for six months." I stop and turn back. "I invited a few key people to meet with us tomorrow.”

“Meaning?”

"People, I think we'll need to fill the staff."

“I didn’t say yes.”

“But I know you won’t let me do this on my own.” His tone and posture exude confidence.

Erik has that “it” quality. He talked professors into better grades, women into his bed. It opens doors. I’m sure this is one more door it will open for him. His quick tongue and my workhorse mentality make for a dynamic duo.

“You have me curious. Who did you invite?” I return to my chair as he rattles off the names. I pair them with potential roles. “I see Chelsey as fundraising director. Mark as communications director.”

Erik nods. "What about the networking director?"

I sit back and think about the people I’ve hired for past campaigns. “I’ll make a few calls. What about events?”

“Brooke.”

"Brooke? Brooke, who?" I lean forward against the table.

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