“You’re right even though I hate it.”
“You don’t even seem mad, Evander. You seem contemplative but not angry. If anything, I think you hurt Xari’s feelings because you sent her away.
I know my little sister is a lot to deal with. She’s grown so much since she’s been working for you and Frankie though. She’s almost a different person. When she pushes people, it’s because she sees something. She has a knack for doing that. The girl can spot your passion from a mile away.”
After a few beats of contemplation, I looked at Navy and groaned. “Should I go home and talk to her?”
“Absolutely. She shouldn’t have done things that way but you can’t deny she put something on your mind. I can see your wheels turning.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I said. “Can I ask you a question, Navy?”
“Of course.”
“If I decided not to run for a seat in the senate again, would you still be my assistant?” The thought of freeing myself from the confines of the senate made me feel light. I had no idea being Senator Freeman weighed so heavily on me.
Navy opened her mouth then closed it again without saying a word. Finally, she smiled softly and nodded her head. “Of course. I can’t think of being anyone else’s assistant.” Her eyes narrowed a little. “Are you seriously thinking about bowing out?”
“I need to sit with my thoughts for a little while longer but I can’t lie and say I’ve enjoyed my years being a senator. It’s a lot of thankless work, long hours, and bullshitting. If I’m going to work long hours and kill myself…it might as well be over something I love. God, I sound like Xari now,” I laughed, rubbing a hand over my face.
“You do. That’s how she gets you.” She paused for a beat. “Hey, next time you see Apollo, make sure he’s willing to be your security if you decide not to run again.”
“Now, is that for me or for you? I know Apollo will come with me.” Her cheeks turned red and her eyes widened with what I could only describe as girlish excitement.
“So, are we done here, Senator Freeman?”
“Sure, we can be done. Doesn’t change the fact that you want Apollo to stick around.”
“Whatever. I’m going back to work. Focus on fixing things with your girlfriend.”
The word girlfriend warmed me up from the inside out. I couldn’t remember being proud of having a woman by my side before but Xari made me proud. She was a force to be reckoned with and when I went home, I knew that force would be waiting for me with icy silence weaponized and ready. I had something for all that attitude though.
…
TWENTY-FOUR
I spent hours practicing after I left Evander’s office. Without Frankie being around, I had to occupy myself productively. So, I was unwinding by playing Alicia Keys on Sunshine’s strings. It was dark in the formal living room and I liked it that way. The only light was flickering from the tips of my candles. Shadows danced on the ceiling to my music like a silent audience.
When the air shifted, I paused, dropping my hands to my side. I knew what that shift in the temperature and humidity meant.
Evander was home.
My throat tightened and the hairs on my arms stood on end, ready to receive him even though he was pissed at me. I knew it was a risk sending his book to Nicki but I wanted to prove to him that he had what it took to do what he loved. It wasn’t just because I loved him either. If I thought his writing was trash, I wouldn’t have stood behind it. Evander had the kind of talent that only came around once in a while. It was simple, quiet, and bold all at the same time. The world needed to experience it.
I braced myself for him to come in and talk to me but when I heard him move past the foyer and up the steps, my heart slipped a little in my chest. He was seriously mad at me. I thought maybe he needed time to get over the shock of me rifling through his laptop. Maybe he needed the rest of the day to unwind.
Clearly, not. He was pissed with me. I’d have to climb down off my soapbox and apologize for overstepping my bounds. I didn’t mean to invade his privacy but god, I was so proud of him and the books he kept pumping out.
Resignation settled in my bones and I told myself after I finished practicing, I’d go upstairs and talk to him. I set my fingers in position on the strings and began playing again, shutting my eyes and letting the music run through me.
“Can we talk?” After a few songs, Evander’s deep voice lifted the veil of soft strings and flickering flames. I opened my eyes and looked at him, wondering how long he’d been standing there watching me play.
“I thought you were mad at me,” I said, rolling the stiffness out of my shoulders.
“I was…am…I don’t know, Xari. Can we talk?” I plucked out the first few notes of Tevin Campbell’s Can We Talk on Sunshine then looked over my shoulder at him. A tired smile bent his lips. Those weren’t angry eyes looking back at me. They were exhausted.
I took his outstretched hand and he kissed my knuckles. Something so small sent chills all over my body. We walked into the kitchen where Evander sat out two champagne flutes. “I’m sorry for acting weird in my office earlier. You caught me off guard,” he said.
“You’re apologizing?” I quizzed. “I should be apologizing for going behind your back like that. Sometimes, I care more about people’s dreams than they do and I have to learn how to reel it in.” I looked down at my toes, wiggling them against the shiny floor. The lights overhead reflected on its surface casting down golden orbs.
“You might need to reel it in a little.” He lifted my chin and I looked into his dark brown eyes. “But I thought we could put that behind us for now. I’m over it, Xari. I know you didn’t mean any harm. Before you touch my laptop again though, ask first.”
“I can do that,” I laughed.
“So are you finished with your practice for the night?” He stared at me with his bottom lip tucked between his teeth. It was a look that pulled primal urges from my core. My skin baked under his intense gaze.
“I can be,” I said quickly. My throat turning to crumpled paper. How was I still so smitten around him? Every time was like the first time and it never got old.
“I want to take you out. Movies at midnight, then IHOP?”
“Wait, I thought you only did that when you had something to celebrate,” I said putting my hands on my hips.
“True.” He nodded then said, “We’re celebrating the fact that my woman submitted my book to an agent and got an offer.” His hand slid around to the small of my back. He pressed my body against his, erasing the space between us.
“I didn’t think that was something you wanted to celebrate. I mean…unless you’re considering the deal.” Hope hopped up and down in the pit of my stomach like a kid with moon shoes on.
“I am considering the deal. I’m scared as fuck too, so I need your confidence. Just a pinch.” He pinched my ass and I yelped.
“I can give you that.” I eyed the bottle of champagne and the two flutes on the island. “So, are we pre-gaming?”
“Fuck yeah. You down?” I loved how easy his words came out when he loosened his tie and became a real person instead of the robot his father trained him to be.