More Than Rivals (13 page)

“Jack’s mentioned you before,” Lily said as she shook his hand. “It’s nice to put a name to a face.”

Beverly pointed to Lily’s dress. “That’s an adorable dress you’re wearing.”

Lily had one thought.
Bitch.
No objective observer would ever comment on her dress, except to say it was boring. She wore the perfectly appropriate and bland attire for a female candidate in a cocktail setting—a black shift dress and a string of white pearls. Beverly, on the other hand, was in a slinky cocktail dress that showed off her cleavage. “Thanks,” Lily muttered, freezing her smile. “Yours is gorgeous.”
 

Jack chuckled and shifted in his stance, noticeably uncomfortable. “You’d said you weren’t coming, Lily.”

“Change of plans,” she said, staring him down.
 

He nodded and abruptly turned to the older gentleman to his right who was speaking to another couple. Tapping the man on the shoulder, Jack said, “Dad, I want you to meet someone.”

The gray-haired man looked over his shoulder. “What son?”

Jack held out his hand. “This is Sonoma County Supervisor Ursula Robles. She’s another candidate—”

“Of course, I know of Supervisor Robles,” he said with grin. “I’m George Bengston. It’s nice to meet you.”

Lily shook his hand and replied,” Hello, Mr. Bengston. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

George touched the lady’s arm next to him. “Sweetheart, please. It’s Ursula Robles.”

An elegant older woman turned around with a surprised smile. “What a pleasant surprise.” She extended her hand. “I’m Natasha Bengston.”

“Good evening, Mrs. Bengston,” Lily said, though she was certain everything good about the night had just ended. She was in hell.
 

“I know you’re giving Jack a run for his money,” George said.

“I think Charles Kingsley is actually the one doing that. I’m just an ‘also ran’ in this race.”

“Oh, I’d hardly say that with your biography,” said Natasha.

“You must be so proud of your husband. What a hero,” said Beverly with a hand on her heart.

Lily could’ve crossed her eyes in hatred of Beverly. Lily was the first to admit being a war widow was a political plus, but somehow Beverly’s comment seemed more about reminding Lily of another man in her life than any true feeling of respect for a war hero.

 
“He was,” Lily murmured. She glanced at Jack who looked worried. She decided it was time to put both of them out of their misery. Her smile returned, as she looked directly at Natasha and George. “I should let you get you on with your night. So nice meeting you.”

“Yes, I would love to speak with you longer one day,” his mother answered.
 

“Indeed,” said his father.

Lily nodded. “That would be nice.” She glanced at Beverly and Bill and then stared at Jack. “Jack, Beverly. Good to see you again. Bill, it’s been a pleasure. Have a good night.”

She spun around and walked far enough away so they were out of sight, pouncing on the first donor she could find. She thought it would relieve her mind, but it had it no effect on her heart, which was awash with ache. The aged San Francisco ex-hippie, now wealthy retiree, droned on about maintaining the current age for Medicare. Lily nodded and urged on the conversation, all the while hating herself for being so upset about Jack.
 

When the emcee tapped the microphone and the lights dimmed, she exhaled in relief that she could soon leave. Meeting everyone at her table would’ve been a constructive use of her time, but she couldn’t stand another hour of faking happiness. She tracked down Jordan as he was talking to an Assembly staffer. “Excuse me,” she said to the staffer. “I just need to borrow Jordan for a moment.”

Jordan turned and took a sip of his drink. “Wussup?”

“I’m not feeling well, and I have a twelve hour shift at the hospital tomorrow. I’m going to head out. Can you apologize to my tablemates for me?”

“Sure.” He took another drink. “Feel better.”

She exited the room, trying to control her speed so she didn’t walk too quickly. Not more than twenty feet down the hall, she heard her name being called, and the voice was Jack’s. She closed her eyes, searching for some strength.

“Lily,” he said again from behind.

She stopped and turned, but she couldn’t find a smile for him. “Hey,” she said, clutching her pearls.

“Why are you leaving?” he asked as he caught up to her. He appeared anxious and out of breath.

“I have a six AM shift at the hospital. I have to go.”

“Is that really why you’re leaving?” he asked, his voice sad.

“Yes.” She said it so emphatically, it was hardly convincing.

“You know, you look lovely tonight.” He added a smile as if he wanted to coax her out of her mood.

At that moment, a compliment from him stung like salt on a wound. She winced and shook her head. “Don’t…”

His smile faded immediately, as if he realized he’d screwed up. “Lily, let me try to explain. I’ve had this night planned with Bev for a while now.”

“I said don’t. You’ve explained yourself before. I understand.”

“I know what I told you before,” he said, his voice increasingly picking up speed. “It’s not what you think with Bev. Well, it is, but it’s not, or at least it doesn’t have to be.”

“Yes, it does.” She looked down, not wanting to admit to the emotions welling up inside of her. Her only salvation was to leave, so she turned her back on him. “I’ve got to go.”
 

She felt his hand on her shoulder as he said, “Lily, we need to talk.”

With tears burning in her eyes, there was no way she was going to look at him again. She shrugged him off her shoulders and began walking away, as she muttered, “Just leave me alone with my mistakes.”

The next day Jack waited outside the Cherry Street entrance to the hospital hoping to catch Lily as she walked to the parking garage across the street. It was a long shot that he would even see her given he wasn’t sure when her workday began or ended. He only knew most of her shifts lasted for twelve hours. He guessed her day may have started at six. So just to be sure, a little after five, he sat himself on a low wall alongside the hospital. Unfortunately, the location provided a great view of people coming and going, but little protection from the rain.
 

When no Lily appeared by six thirty, he got discouraged. He was just about to leave when he saw her walk out of the double doors, laughing with another woman. Both women were in scrubs and raincoats. Lily looked out at the rain, donned her hood, and watched for traffic. He could tell she was about to make a break for it across the street, so he had to call out, “Lily!”

She stopped talking to her friend and turned to him. “Jack,” she said, clearly confused by his presence at the hospital.
 

Her friend looked at Jack and gave him the once over. A broad smile crossed her face as she said something to Lily and then darted across the street.
 

Jack walked over to Lily, and before he could speak, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to talk to you, and I figured this would be the only way to catch you.”

“There’s nothing to say,” she said in a pained voice.
 

“Yes, there is.” He nodded up the hill to his car. “Come to my car. Let’s get out the rain.”

She stared at the ground, shaking her head. After a moment, she took a deep breath and looked up. “Okay. Just for a few minutes.”

They didn’t talk as they made their way to his car, and the silence was only broken when he opened the passenger door for her. “Here you go,” he said, ushering her in.

“Thanks,” she mumbled.

He flexed his hand as he walked around to the driver’s side. He’d hoped for a friendlier greeting from her, but he realized it had been a foolish wish. His only answer was to lay it on the line. After he climbed in, he first noticed she was rubbing her hands together, probably cold from the winter rain. “I can run the heat for a little bit, if you want to warm up.”

“It’s okay. I’m fine.”

She didn’t stop rubbing her hands, so he turned on the car anyway. He laughed. “Well, I’m cold. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t.”

He grimaced for a moment and then looked at her, hoping for forgiveness. “Lily, I’m really sorry about Bev last night. I should’ve broken my date with her long ago and told you everything.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” she said, speaking slowly. “You should continue to date her. It’s none of my business.”

“No I shouldn’t. I broke it off permanently last night. I don’t want to be with her. I want to be with you.” His voice rattled with exasperation. “And regardless, I
think it
is
your business. Otherwise you wouldn’t be treating me like you are right now. Otherwise you would never have gone running with me. And you wouldn’t have almost kissed me in the pool the other night.”

When she didn’t deny any of what he said, he knew he’d struck a nerve. Wanting to sooth her, he brushed his fingertips against her cheek. “Do you know how I would’ve felt if I’d walked in last night and seen you with another guy? Especially a guy I know you had a history with?”

Keeping mum, she shook her head no.

“I’d be devastated. It’s all I could think about when you were talking to Bev and my parents. If I were in your shoes, I would’ve run out long before you did.”

“Really?” she asked shyly.

“Really, damn it.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I’ve fallen for you. Hard. Can’t you tell?”

“Maybe,” she said, looking up sheepishly. “I’ve been a little self-absorbed.” She met his gaze and smiled. “Why is this happening?”

“What do you mean?”

“I feel like everything’s gotten out of hand, and I can’t stop it.”

He smiled, and taking a risk, he reached out for her hand. When she didn’t immediately withdraw it, he clasped her cold fingers in his palms. “Nothing’s ever changed for me. From the moment I met you at the coffee shop in August, I felt you were different—different in a way I wanted to get to know. That didn’t stop just because we work together.”

“We work together?” Lily chuckled. “Is that what we do?”

“Well, it’s sort of like that. Isn’t it?” He pursed his lips, knowing he was about to make a silly joke. “But we’ve never had to sign a no-fraternization policy.”

“Shouldn’t it be a given that you don’t mess around with your fellow candidates?”

He deepened his voice as he touched her hair. “Are we going mess around?”

“Not if I have anything to do with it.” She withdrew her hand and crossed her arms. “I feel like I’m the responsible one.”

“Somebody has to be.”

Her smile brightened, but was still wary. “What are you proposing?”

“That we give it a shot,” he said, waving his hand as if it was as simple as that.

“We can wait until the primary is over in June.”

“Do you really want to wait until June?”

“No, but I also don’t want to fuck up my career or yours.”

“It doesn’t have to be a scandal. We’re spending a lot of time together. We’ve become friends. I think it’s pretty simple.”

“
Friends
?” she asked with a skeptical smirk.

“You sound like Bill.”

“He knows we’ve seen each other.” Her eyes widened.

“Yup. He’s my best friend. He thinks I’m crazy, but he’ll support me whatever I do.” He leaned back in his seat, but still held her hand. “What about you? Have you mentioned it to anyone?”

“Jordan knows. He’s virtually my best friend, and I thought it was best to have him know we’d become friends. I mean I have girlfriends, of course, but this isn’t something I can tell just anyone. My parents know we’ve gone for runs.” Her shoulders rose in a bashful shrug. “But that’s all I’ve said.”

“It’s fine. We’ve been completely platonic with one another.” He arched a brow. “Except when you were a tease in the pool.”

“Ah!” she said in shock. “I wasn’t teasing. We were horsing around.”

“So you weren’t teasing?”

“Why do you do this to me?” She giggled.

“Because it’s too much fun not to. You’re very fun to play with.”

“You make it easy.
That’s
my problem.”
 

“It’s my problem, too,” he said, his tone more serious.

She took a deep breath, and Jack realized the time had come—she was ready for the kiss he desperately wanted to give. He’d never been more thankful for a downpour, as it hid them from sight. Still, he decided to start slowly with only a quick kiss on her lips.

When he pulled away, she whispered, “Was that platonic?”

“Absolutely not,” he said, gruffly.

She grinned and shook her head. “What are we going to do?”

“You’re going to let me take you out.”
 

“In public? Where can
we
go out together where it won’t be a scandal?”

He smirked. “I’ve got just the place.”

As they walked into the dive bar, Lily’s eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. Jack was right about the bar. No one would see them there. They’d hurried in from the pouring rain, and the only other customers were a few old men playing cards.
 

Jack steered her to a booth in the back, and as she sat down, he went to the bar. He arrived back juggling two beers and a big basket of popcorn. She laughed. “Oh, Jack. You didn’t need to go all out on our first date.”

“Hey, my options were limited. You didn’t want to be seen with me,” he said, placing the food and beers on the table.

“You make it sound terrible.”

“I’m just teasing. I think you’re right. We shouldn’t be flaunting it. We should lay low.” He held up his glass and smiled. “To our first date.”

“Thank you for asking me,” she said, clinking his glass.

After a sip of beer, he said, “Actually, I’m not sure this is our first date.”

“What would be our first date?”

“I’d say our first run.”

“Hmm.” She smiled. “It did feel like a date. I had to keep telling myself it wasn’t. Why do you think I asked about your girlfriend when we went out again?”

“She wasn’t really my girlfriend then, and she’s completely out of the picture now.”