“That’s good to hear.”
Kimble walked into the courtyard. “Do you need me?” he asked.
“Everything’s fine. Mr. Corban is leaving. Can you set up my office, please? Tell Bella I’ll need dinner served there tonight. I just have to run upstairs and change.”
He nodded, but his eyes were on me. Hounding me like they always did.
“Kimble,” she pressed.
“I’ll take care of it.” He was hesitant to leave us. “The office will be ready.”
Kennedy draped a pool towel over her arm. “I’m sorry about this. All of it.” She looked up at me.
My fingers grasped her wrist. “Have dinner with me. Tomorrow night?”
“Is it business or pleasure?” she asked.
“Pleasure. Only.”
I saw the way her eyes lit. It was only a second, but the flame was there. It was real.
She scrolled through her phone to check her schedule. “Any time after six,” she reported.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Where are we going?”
I chuckled. “It’s a surprise.”
“You always liked to surprise me.” She grinned.
“Maybe I still do.” I walked with her to the foyer.
“Good night.”
“Good luck with your crisis,” I called to her as she ascended the massive staircase.
By the time I was done with her, Kennedy Martin wouldn’t know what hit her.
20
Kennedy
I hadn’t pulled an all-nighter since college, but that was exactly what happened when Renee called to tell me the sub-committee on gambling legislation wanted to postpone their vote.
I was on the phone with our lobbyist three different times. We scrambled to try to push for an early morning vote. I talked to every big donor I knew. I had to apply pressure. Someone needed to make this vote happen or I was in jeopardy of losing the Crescent Towers.
I finally climbed into bed at 6am. I plugged my phone into the charger, turned the volume on high in case there were updates from the team, and pulled a sleeping mask over my eyes. The cool satin was soothing.
Six hours later I awakened. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” I threw the mask on the floor. I had missed callas and texts from Renee. I quickly dialed her.
“Where have you been?” she asked.
“Sorry, just tell me. Did they vote? Did we get it?”
“The vote has been postponed indefinitely.”
My heart sank. “Indefinitely? That can’t be right.”