Beauregard blinked at that. “Engaged? You’ve finally found someone to clip your wings, eh, Josh?” The Senator bowed low in a strangely old-fashioned gesture that flustered Samantha who shot him a tight smile.
“I think he’s clipped mine actually, Senator.”
The older man boomed out a laugh. “Exactly what you need, Josh. Exactly what you need.” He winked. “Anyway, Christen will be in touch after tonight. I’ll make sure of it. Now, I’d best be moving on. Great to see you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the night.”
He went on his way, not really expecting them to reply which was good considering Josh had no interest in replying. Taking a seat beside Samantha, he murmured, “Sorry, I didn’t introduce you.”
Her lips twitched. “It’s a habit of yours.”
“I know,” he admitted on a sigh. “I never bothered to introduce people before.”
“I’m sure your mother would slap you silly for your manners.”
“Very likely. But, equally, I doubt she’d have wanted me to broadcast to all and sundry who I was dating. Things have changed now, I need to start remembering.” He reached for her hand and kissed her ring. “You’re not nobody to me.”
“My goodness, I feel for those other women you’ve discarded along the way.” He winced. “You were a real jerk to them, weren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
She prodded him in the shoulder with a gloved finger. “How much are you going to donate tonight?”
“I wasn’t sure how he’d play it, but he’s being canny. Christen will get in touch when my donation goes through.” He rubbed his chin, relieved to be off the topic of his ex-lovers. Yes, he’d been a shit, but he was trying, slowly and surely, to be better. Because that was exactly what she deserved.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Probably donate fifty grand. It won’t be as much as he’d like, but he can’t turn his nose up at it.”
She pursed her lips. “How much do you think he wants?”
“A million,” he said wryly. “The deal is worth it, but I don’t like the man and you’re right, I don’t like his politics. I’m not willing to help him out too much.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” she grumbled.
He dipped his head, and in her ear, whispered, “You know who’s running for the same seat, right?”
“Angie Dawson. I like her.”
“I donated four hundred thousand to her yesterday.” He pulled back to wink at her.
“Sneaky! I like it.” She clapped her hands, then leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “I think you deserve a reward for being so clever.”
“I do?” He cocked a brow at her. “I shall have to be devious more often.”
She grinned. “I’m game for that. Now, first things first. Try your cake.”
He immediately grimaced. “Do I have to?”
“Yes. You have to.”
Grabbing his spoon, he dipped into the lousy attempt at chocolate lava cake, took a spoonful, grimaced again, then said, “There. Happy?”
“Very. Now we can go.”
He scowled. “How come you don’t have to try it?”
“I did. While you were dealing with Mr. Homeboy.”
He snorted. “Mr. Homeboy?”