Candidate: A Love Story (24 page)

A moment later, Grady and Kate’s father came up next to her. Her father took his place next to Neil and Ethan and Grady’s hand was again at the base of her back. Grady seemed restless, maybe even a little nervous. Another first, Kate had never seen Grady Malendar nervous.

“Kate,” Grady said close to her ear, “dance with me.”

Nick piped up. “Ah hey, we were talking here, Buddy.”

“Yeah, that conversation seems to have run its course, Buddy. I mean really, what more could such a captivating, vibrant woman like this actually have to say to you?” Grady answered.

Nick looked like he was going to punch him. Her father, Neil, and Ethan smiled and held their beers up to toast Grady.

“Yes, I would love to dance.” Kate said.

Grady took her hand and she said, “Goodbye Nick,” over her shoulder, just as she saw Nick’s newly-minted fiancé part through the crowd.

Kate smiled and glanced at the woman now standing with her ex-husband, the woman he’d slept with during their marriage, and she realized that she felt fine, silly even. She looked back at Nick and said, “Good luck with that,” and then turned toward the dance floor with Grady.

He spun her into his arms and she rested against his chest for a moment, breathed him in. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Anytime, gorgeous. Have you ever been jealous, Kate?” She looked at him and didn’t know what to say. “Can’t say I’ve ever felt that particular emotion until tonight.” Kate laughed and he spun her out in a grand Fred Astaire move.

Her head fell back and she laughed some more as he pulled her in again. “I thought you said you were an awful dancer?”

Grady twirled her around the dance floor like a pro. “I lied.” He smiled a devilish grin. “Now keep up sweetheart, because we definitely have an audience,” he said, and then he dipped her back right there in front of everyone she knew and some of the people she worked with. Kate should have been embarrassed, this wasn’t professional, but instead she was filled with such pride for the men in her life, the good ones. They allowed her to shine and stood by her when that became a little difficult. Grady spun her again and Kate remembered what Reagan had said as she was leaving for the ball. “Screw them all, honey. It’s a party. Get your freak on.” And that’s exactly what Kate did. Well, within reason.

Chapter Twenty-Six

T
wo weeks later, Kate walked toward the back of the hotel lobby where Senator Malendar was holding his final big event of the campaign. They had driven the campaign buses up to San Francisco and arrived yesterday. Grady of course arrived late, had some things to take care of, Kate now knew what that meant, but she kept it to herself and made excuses for his delay. He arrived in his recently repaired Porsche only an hour before cocktails, which was now in full swing.

The St. Regis was an incredible place. Kate had been to a few functions there, for work of course, and it was still stunning. The way some people lived, just their day-to-day life, continued to blow her mind. The elevator dinged and she walked out into the Overlook Terrace Room. Everyone was positioned in the open air. Intimate and casual. Kate stood back and observed. The senator looked flawless at the podium reviewing his speech. An older, distinguished hometown guy with his sophisticated wife standing just slightly behind him—it didn’t get much better. A light breeze tussled his salt and pepper hair. This was what voters wanted, this was the image, and part of Kate’s job was to make sure they got it. The election was four weeks away and Senator Malendar was up four points in the polls, almost two full points ahead of Driggs, his opponent. He was a little weak in San Francisco, still ahead, but they needed this last push. The senator would be addressing local business owners and the heads of several conservancy groups. God, Kate loved this job, especially when she believed in what they were selling. Her father still teased her that she was a glorified snake oil salesman, but he was wrong. She presented people in their very best light.

Kate did a quick check to make sure the press seating was adequate; all the microphones were angled to combat a gust of wind interrupting the speech. Javier would do a live webcast and blog entries were ready to go for both the senator’s website and his wife’s. The lighting was perfect, not sunset yet, but soft. People began taking their seats and Kate spotted Grady. Did he look good everywhere? His hands were casually in his pockets as he stood talking to his father. They both laughed that laid back laugh that Kate swore only money could buy. As much as Grady drove his father to insanity, his father’s eyes warmed when he looked at him. There was a bond there and Grady made the senator laugh like none other. The breeze brushed over Grady’s face, and his cheeks were flushed by the warm summer air. His eyes were even bluer, if that was possible.
Kate, please try to focus. Wait a minute
 
.
 
.
 
.
Navy dress, dark hair, great shoes, and touching Grady
’
s shoulder.
Who was she and why didn’t Kate know about her?

“Max,” Kate called over her shoulder, still looking at the two of them like they were in some damn catalogue shoot.

“Right here.”

“Who’s that?”

“Little more specific please. Lots of people,” he said looking up from his laptop.

“I’m not going to point. Over by Grady, navy dress.”

“Oh, not sure. I’d like to find out, damn she’s . . . ”

“Thank you. Yes, she is. I need to know who she is.”

“Kate, it’s time to take the prelims. Everyone’s here,” Elaine, the photographer said on her way toward the group, followed by her minions carrying tripods and strange things that looked like they could summon alien space ships.

“Right. Max, find out who she is later. Make sure you get Elaine’s best shots to Javier, so he can get the photos on the website before the speech begins.”

“Got it.”

Kate walked behind Elaine’s crew. Grady looked up and smiled. Most of the crowd took their seats, as it was clear that the senator, his family, and some key people were going to take photographs. Navy dress stood there, whispered something in Grady’s ear and then . . . then she brushed the shoulder of his jacket.
Who was this woman?
More importantly, did everyone talk about people the way Kate did?
Navy dress at three o
’
clock
. No wonder she couldn’t seem to connect anymore. She’d turned into a machine, for crying out loud.

Cameras began to flash. The senator and his wife, the senator shaking hands with the president of some society, the senator and his children. Perfect, it really was perfect. Last shot, a group shot, the senator in the center flanked by his wife, his daughter, two or three small business owners and . . . ”

“Wait.” Kate walked in front of the cameras and looked right at Navy Dress. “I’m sorry, you are?” she said, pretending to adjust the tablecloth that was blowing free.

“Excuse me?”

Hmm, Navy Dress was either dumb or a snob. Great. “Your name?” Kate asked undeterred.

She looked at Grady and smiled. “Avery. Are you . . . ”

“Kate. I’m with Bracknell and Stevens. We’re the PR firm that represents the senator and . . . ” Kate brushed Grady’s shoulder to prove a point.
What the hell is wrong with me? Kate, don
’
t overdo it.
“. . . Mr. Malendar.” She smiled her best country-club smile. “Anyway, he should stand next to the senator, so you, you can stand at the end, but we’d like Grady next to his father.”

“Kate,” Grady said, looking at her like she was just a little nuts.

“You know what, it’s been a long day. Please, just stand by your father.”

“Does it really matter?”

“How about you let me do my job, okay?”

He said nothing, but of course Navy Dress piped up. “Grady, it’s fine. I’ll just . . . ” she smiled and moved to the side.

Was she snickering?
Kate turned and walked back behind the cameras. Her face must have been five shades of red and she felt like a fool. That was ridiculous, she didn’t need to do that. Kate didn’t look at Grady again. She didn’t even see the final shot. It hadn’t mattered by that point. He probably thought she’d lost her mind and he’d be right. Kate just couldn’t stand there and watch Navy Dress toss her hair one more time.
Oh, God.
What was happening to her? Suddenly, this whole thing needed to be over so she could tuck herself in to the quiet sanctuary of her hotel room.

The senator’s speech was fantastic, even with the left microphone dropping out for just a second. The crowd began to mingle and the feel was casual and sophisticated—just as planned. Candles were lit on each small table. Kate was the only thing that was neither casual, nor sophisticated. She had done her job, stupidly crossed a line, and now it was time to be where she belonged. Alone.

Kate congratulated the crew and started packing her things. Cocktails and little sandwiches came out on trays as the sun began to set. She looked up as Grady approached. A gentleman stopped him and they spoke for a minute. She hurried to finish packing, hoping she could get out before he . . . too late. Grady touched her shoulder and when she looked up he was smiling. It was the charming, boy-with-a-secret smile, she really hated that smile. He stepped closer, too close. Kate tried to maintain her professional face, but his eyes were soft and warm. He touched the side of her face and she thought she was going to go up in flames right there in front of him.

“Kate.”

She knocked his hand away. “Don’t patronize me.”

“I’m not, but you can’t continue to pick at me like we’re in grade school.”

“What? I’m not. You should’ve been next to your father for that picture. There’s no question. Everyone agreed.”

“She’s a family friend.”

“I don’t care.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I, I can’t . . . ”

“What?”

“I don’t care. I mean, I care because it’s my job. You can . . . ”

“I can what? Do whatever I want? Nope, sorry that doesn’t work anymore.” He leaned into her ear. “I think about you all the time, wondering when I’ll see you again. If I’ll get a chance to brush past you, smell your hair, kiss you again. So you see, I can’t do whatever I want, Kate. Pathetic maybe, but that’s where I’m at.”

Kate couldn’t breathe. She kept packing and repacking the same papers into her bag. “You see me practically every day,” she said, as if what he just said meant nothing.

“It’s not enough.” He wasn’t going to let up.

She found the strength and looked at him. “Grady, this—”

“I know, it’s incredibly inconvenient for you. I can see that, but I don’t think I’m alone here. I realize this puts a real kink in your ‘pissed off at the world’ period, but there’s something here, Kate. Now, we can ignore it, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on that strategy.”

“Bet the farm?” She looked up at him. “You realize no one under sixty-five still says that, right?”

“Nice try. You’re changing the subject.”

“Fine. Well, ignore is exactly what we are going to do.” Kate grabbed her briefcase and reached for her coat. Grady put his hand over hers and just like that, her heart began pounding up to her ears.

“Feel nothing there?”

Why was everything so easy for him? He wasn’t going to do this to her. Her job, she was here to do a job.

Kate took a deep breath. “Stop. I didn’t say I felt nothing, but unlike you, I’m not a child. I can control my emotions. I don’t lose control anymore.”

Grady raised an eyebrow and she knew he was referring to her scene. True, she was not in control merely twenty minutes ago, but she was not going to let him have the upper hand.

“There’s a spark,” Kate continued. “ Okay, so what? We’re not in high school for crying out loud.” Kate turned and walked as quickly as she could into the hotel.
That was good, Kate, really good.
Now if she could just get to her room before her heart jumped right out of her chest.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

H
er shoes were off before she closed the door to her hotel room. Kate threw herself into the very plush chair. She had to admit it was nice to live among actual furniture. She thought of the new couch and chair she’d ordered. They would be delivered when she arrived home. Furniture was good. Removing the clip, Kate shook her hair loose.
Did he say he couldn
’
t wait to see her? Almost every day isn
’
t enough? Christ, Kate, how many times do you think he
’
s used that line? Don
’
t kid yourself, the man is a legend.
Her logical mind knew, but there was something genuine in his eyes, almost like it was hard for him to say.

There was a knock at the door. Her heart picked back up. A man in a black suit introduced himself as the concierge.

“Ms. Galloway?”

“Yes,” Kate said.

He smiled and extended a small silver tray. “Message from Mr. Malendar, ma’am.” She took the envelope and turned for her purse. Placing a few dollars in his palm, Kate thanked the concierge and slowly closed the door. Grady had precise handwriting. She had never noticed before. A note—he’d written her a note.
Open the damn thing, Kate.

She pulled out a single white card:

Kate –

I
’
m in the bar just off the lobby. There are several eligible-looking, as you call them, bimbos, and a rather large sculpture just begging to be climbed. If you do not meet me down here in 15 minutes, I
’
ll be left to my own devices. It
’
d be a pity to have a scandal this close to the election. I know you
’
ll make the right decision.

Grady

Kate smiled. She looked up and saw herself through the entryway mirror. It was a stupid “girl with butterflies” smile. She thought about the note’s content and the smile dropped as quickly as it appeared.
He couldn
’
t be serious. He wouldn
’
t
 
.
 
.
 
.
damn.
Kate needed to get to the lobby. Oh, who was she kidding? She was smiling again. Clearly a glutton for punishment, Kate ran her fingers through her long auburn hair, threw on some jeans, a little lip-gloss, and she was in the elevator.