“Thank you,” Liz said graciously.
Savannah was in a strapless gold number in a silky material that hung on her frame as if she were a runway model. They hugged and Liz realized how much she had missed her. They hadn’t been around each other much since Hilton Head. Liz had never had a chance to ask her about what had happened with Lucas, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to admit to having even witnessed it.
“We should hang out more,” Savannah said with a laugh.
“I know. I feel like we’ve been together but apart all summer.”
“Agreed.”
“Is Easton here?” Liz asked, glancing around.
“No. He went home for the summer after he left Hilton Head.”
“That sucks.” Or maybe it didn’t. Liz spotted Lucas standing near Chris and his girlfriend, Mollie.
Savannah followed her gaze and her face darkened. “Well . . . that doesn’t suck,” she said pointedly, nodding her head at Lucas.
Savannah sighed. “If you say so.”
Liz didn’t get to say anything more, because Brady touched her arm to motion her for another picture. Liz stood among his family as if she belonged there. The flash went off several times and then they were free of the first crowd. Now they had to mingle with the other guests for pictures.
After a seemingly endless number of people she didn’t know, though Brady somehow remembered every single person’s name, they found a familiar face.
“Chelsea,” Brady said in welcome. “You remember Liz?”
“Yes, of course. We met at the JJ gala,” Chelsea said. Her hair was tied in a stylish French twist and her makeup accented her almond-shaped eyes. She had on a stunning blue beaded halter gown.
“Nice to see you again,” Liz said politely. Liz wasn’t sure how happy she really was to see Chelsea. The woman had been aggravating Brady all summer about that damn environmental bill.
Just then Clay materialized at Chelsea’s side. “Hey, babe. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you,” he said, putting an arm around her waist.
Chelsea rolled her eyes as Liz herself had done a number of times. “Hello, Clay.”
Brady fumed at the sight of his brother. “Clay,” he said warningly.
Clay put his hands up as if he were innocent. “I was just talking to our old friend. I didn’t realize she was even going to be here. God, it’s been what, like two years, Chels?”
“I’m typically around during election time,” she said dismissively. “It’s kind of my job.”
“I bet,” Clay said with a wink.
“Picture?” the photographer asked, rearranging them so Brady was between Liz and Chelsea, and then snapped the photo.
Brady leaned forward toward Clay, but Liz could hear what he whispered to him in a dangerously low voice: “Try to stay out of trouble for once in your life.”
“High on my priority list,” Clay said sarcastically.
Liz placed her hand on Brady’s arm. “Just leave him.”
Brady nodded and walked away with her after he excused himself from Chelsea. “He is the only person who gets under my skin.”
“Other than me?” she joked.
“You’re different.”
“Just imagine what it’s like living in your shadow. He graduated from the best law school in the country and is clerking for the Supreme Court and you’re still the golden boy. That can’t be easy.”
“Why are you defending him?”
“Because you’re as blind to the good in Clay as he is to the good in you,” she told him plainly.
“If there was ever good in Clay, then he lost it a long time ago,” Brady said, as if he were unable to reconcile the image he’d had of his brother for so long with the one Liz was presenting.
“You should just give him a chance. You’re more alike than you realize, which is where I think some of the tension stems from.”
“I’m nothing like him.”
“Well, you’re both stubborn,” she pointed out. He shot her a warning look. “This won’t be resolved tonight, but maybe you should consider resolving it in the future.”
He thought a moment before responding. “I’ll consider it.”
Well, that was as good as it was going to get.
They finished their circuit of the room and ended up where Lucas, Chris, and Mollie were standing. She and Mollie hugged as Chris and Brady shook hands. Liz watched Brady out of the corner of her eye. She knew he wouldn’t do anything tonight, but this was the first time they had seen Lucas since Hilton Head, and she knew Brady was still pissed about what had happened.
Champagne was passed out to the guests as Brady walked up to the stage to deliver his speech. Liz felt her phone buzz twice as she walked over to the podium to stand with Chris, Mollie, and Lucas. She wanted to pull it out, but felt as though she should be paying attention.
Brady tapped the microphone once and waited for his audience to become silent. The crowd hushed and Liz felt another buzz from her purse. God, so annoying.
“Hello and welcome!” Brady called into the microphone. “It’s my pleasure to be here tonight and have each and every one of you in this room supporting me. Winning my seat in the House of Representatives would not have been possible without you all in this building right now, and it won’t be possible for me to remain there working for you if I don’t have your continued support.”
Liz felt her phone buzz at least three more times while Brady gave the opening to his speech. Jesus, someone must really need to get a hold of her. Maybe her parents were calling. Maybe it was an emergency.
With a sigh, she opened her clutch and saw Brady’s phone light up. She had completely forgotten it was in there when they had left. Her eyes scanned the first message to make sure it wasn’t an emergency.
I’d rather you were fucking me than giving this speech.
Chelsea. Liz’s stomach dropped out of her body. Her mouth went dry and she felt all the blood drain out of her face. She tried to swallow, but found she couldn’t. Her heart was racing in her chest as she stared at the message. Another one came in.
I miss Hilton Head. Ditch the girlfriend and take me instead.
Her hands shook and she was afraid that she might drop the phone. No. No way. This . . . this wasn’t even possible. She tried to rationalize. Brady wouldn’t do this to her. He loved her. She was his world. He’d said forever and always. Those were promises.
Make up an excuse and meet me in the back room. It’ll be worth it.