Cory grinned at the sound of happiness in her voice. He could tell she was glad he’d called. "Sure, I did, sorry I haven’t called before now, but I had to work. Now you have my cell number, so don’t be a stranger. Listen, ummm, I’ll text you my email, you can email me your schedule for classes, that way I won’t interrupt you. Wait, do you have a laptop? Didn’t think about that. Sorry."
She smiled at his nervousness. "I have a laptop. It’s hard to be a student without a laptop. Text me your email and I'll send my schedule. So, are you seeing anyone special?"
Cory could feel the blush creep up his face. Then his grin was as big as his head. "I sure am." Wait, did I just say that? Where in the hell did that come from? He’d been hanging around the brothers too long. He was beginning to sound like Raven.
Madison felt a lump in her throat. Of course, he’d be seeing someone. That would explain why he didn't make a pass at her. So, was he just looking for friendship? "Oh. Uh, is she a student too?"
Cory panicked. Madison thought he was talking about someone else. Shit, how was he going to get out of this mess? "Yes, she’s a student. She’s beautiful too, and has a very unique style. I like being around her, and I want to spend more time with her. Oh, and I should tell you, her kiss, sweetest thing ever." Cory hoped she didn’t hang up.
Madison twirled her hair around her finger as she listened to him describe the girl he was already taken with. "Well, she’s very lucky to have you."
"No, not really, but I’m very lucky to have met her and hoping she wants to see me again. So, what do you say, someone special? Can I ask you out on a date, a real date?"
Cory waited a moment, she didn’t respond right away. He could feel his heart rate accelerate. "Say yes Madison Barnes, because no one is more special in my life than you."
Madison sat upright. He was talking about her. "Yes, of course. My answer is yes!"
Cory chuckled. That’s what he was waiting to hear. "So, what do you say, maybe Friday night? What would you like to do? Lady’s choice. I’ll pick you up in my truck, and we can roll into town, dinner, movie, shopping?"
"Uh, there's a great place for Italian food on the mall, and Ry Cooder is performing at The Paramount on Friday. He's an old blues singer. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I really like him. Or did you want to take some of your stuff to the shops?" Madison paced the floor, twisting her hair around her fingers in anticipation of his response.
Cory didn’t think he really had anything ready for the shops yet, so he’d avoid that for now. "I love Italian, and Ry Cooder, great! I like blues. How early can you go because we can just check out the shops first, I need to see what kind of stuff they carry, then I can gauge what I should be making to appeal to the market. If you don’t mind? Then we can grab some grub and hit the Paramount. This is all at the mall, right?"
"Yeah, right. My last class on Friday ends at two, so any time after that works for me. I can show you the shops, maybe introduce you to some people, then we can grab an early dinner. The show is at eight, I think. You want me to get the tickets?"
Cory shook his head. "Look, Madison, I know money is tight and I’m asking you out, so I want to pay. I can get online and get the tickets. It’s not a big deal. And how about I pick you up at like three on Friday?"
Madison nodded. "Yeah, you can order them online. But Cory, I get some money from my parents and I sell stuff and work part-time, so I have a little money. You don't have to pay for everything. I don't expect it."
"I know you don’t expect it, but you deserve to be treated special. You’re beautiful, and you’re mine. Keep your money for what you need it for. So, I’ll see you at three on Friday. Sound good?"
"Yeah, I guess I'll see you Friday at three then."
Cory could hear a change in her voice. Maybe he’d pushed too hard on the money issue, but he knew what it felt like to have nothing. “Madison, don’t be angry with me, I want to pay. Spend more time with you, get to know you. I hope you want the same."
"I do, Cory. I want to get to know you as well. But you just, uh, referred to me as yours. I don't mean this to be hurtful, and I don't want to scare you off of anything, but, I don't belong to you, or anyone else. I struggle hard to maintain my own independence. I set my own rules. I hope you get that. And I hope I haven't made you change your mind about going out with me."
Cory felt his heart fall to his feet. He’d already opened his big mouth and gone too far. But he understood her, knew that independence was far more important sometimes than anything else. His past life in California taught him that above anything else.
"I’m sorry. I’m really nervous, Madison. I don’t date much, but I understand about independence. So, let’s make a deal right now. Equals. We belong to the earth, the moon, the universe. You didn’t change my mind, I respect you speaking up. Accept my apology? Please?"
She laughed. "Accepted, Cory Medici. See you on Friday."
"See you then." He didn’t hang up right away, and neither did she. If he hung up, he had to wait until Friday to hear her voice again. Finally ending the call, he stared at the walls. Yeah, Luca was right; this wasn’t going to be easy. He wanted to make something for her, something special. He was never a flowers and chocolate sort of person, and he was pretty sure Madison wasn’t that type either. The grin on his face began to spread. This required something as unique and genuine as she was.
31
Alto drove, as Hyde escorted Rissa to the White House where she was expected. The big evening was about to begin. Alto passed though the security check points and pulled the car around the circular drive. Hyde exited the car and led her to the entrance where she was instructed to enter.
"Rissa, there shouldn’t be any danger inside. There will be Secret Service everywhere. Once you get to the private chambers, they remain outside those doors. I’ve placed video cameras strategically throughout the President's living space, but have the majority of them in his bedroom, so try to lure him there. Every angle is covered. Once you go through these doors, I won’t follow, but if anything goes wrong, I’ll respond as best I can without exposing what we are. You’re somewhat on your own here.”
Rissa eyed him slyly and smiled. "Never underestimate my power as a woman, Hyde. He’s putty in my hands. "
Hyde grunted. “I have no doubt. When you’re ready to leave, just send me a message telepathically. The staff will escort you back here to the door. I’ll be with Alto over at the Willard Hotel, and we’ll drive here to meet you. It’s only five minutes from here. I’ll shadow myself, so I can retrieve the cameras.”
Rissa inhaled deeply, just wanting to get this over with. “Let's do this."
***
The head butler had been informed to expect a visit from Senator Canton's wife. The White House staff was used to keeping secrets, and not asking questions, but the staff had been a buzz all week over this news. What reason could the President possibly have to meet with Senator Canton's wife, in his private quarters after hours, while the First Lady was out? The butler greeted her on arrival.