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Eli blushed. “I know how to mind my manners. I have to ask you though. Is something going on between you two?” He pointed his champagne flute toward Lock, still shaking hands after leaving the stage.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. He just seems worried about something.”
“Did he ask you to keep an eye on me?” I blurted.
Eli finished his champagne and set it on the table. “He mentioned something.”
“Like what?”
“Just… he told me to look out for you. That you might be under some extra stress at work. Do you want to talk about it?”
“What did he say about my work?” I hated myself for asking. This wasn’t like me. Lock and I didn’t talk about each other behind our backs. From the surprise in Eli’s expression, he realized it.
“It’s nothing, Mina. I shouldn’t have said anything. It was just my awkward way of trying to be a friend.”
“They should be serving dinner soon,” I said. “I’m going to go catch up with Lock.”
I felt guilty for leaving Eli so abruptly. He was right. That was him trying to be a friend in his own awkward way. I wove my way through the crowd, making pleasantries with the donors I recognized. Most were old money. Peers of Lock’s father. And I never once felt judgment in their eyes the way I did with Piper Shepherd.
A hand slid up the small of my back. Lock seemed to appear out of nowhere. My heart fluttered as he brushed my cheek with a kiss. He smelled delicious, and I couldn’t help letting my mind wander to what we’d been up to just two hours ago. I’d give anything to go back there. I’d give anything to rewind the last two months.
“Come with me,” he said. “The governor just showed up. I want to introduce you.”
We spent the next half hour rubbing elbows with some of the most influential people in Michigan politics. We made a good team. Lock would humbly introduce me. I would lavish praise on the guest du jour.
“Well done on the health care bill, Congressman Peters. It will be your signature legislation.”
“I can tell you firsthand how well your community learning initiative is working in rural schools down here, Governor Callum.”
Once we had made our tour of the room, I was exhausted.
“I don’t know how you do this,” I whispered to Lock. “There’s so much ass-kissing going on I’m afraid these people are going to need back surgery for the amount of time they’ve spent bent over.”
Lock smiled. “Shh. That ass-kissing might benefit you someday. If Gilchrist makes good on his threat to run for Congress, you could run for prosecutor and replace him.”
“You should eat,” I said. “You always forget at these things, then you end up with a migraine.”
“Later,” he said. “I promised Senator Whitlow five minutes. But you go eat. Piper and Eli just sat down. They can keep you company until I get free.”
He caught my frown.
“Sorry,” I said. “Piper can be a lot. She’s always judging me. And you, for that matter. She said something when they got here about bending my ear about some skin care product. She says they’ve hired her as a brand ambassador.”
Lock laughed. “Well, at least she’s on brand. Just tell her you’ll buy some lotion or whatever she’s hawking this time. It’ll make her happy, and I promised Eli.”
“I don’t get it,” I said. “She’s educated. She could do any number of more worthwhile things. She’s got a degree in public relations. She should use it.”
“Who’s judging whom now?” Lock said.
“Sorry. I’ll go sit with them. I’ll be on my best behavior. Pinky swear.”
Lock pulled me close and brushed his lips against my ear as he whispered to me. “I don’t mind if you misbehave, my little dove. You know how much I like to punish you afterward.”
He bit my earlobe. I gasped. Then, he disappeared back into the crowd, leaving me breathless. I couldn’t wait until this night was over and we could just be alone together. I knew I’d feel better then.
I ducked into the ladies’ room. As I opened the bathroom door, a cool blast from the air conditioner hit me. It felt good. I made my way to the vanity and pulled out a tube of lipstick. The lighting in here was harsher than I remembered. I looked washed out.
