“I agree the pictures don’t do him justice. And to answer what was technically your second question, we kissed.” She’d dreamed about those kisses last night too. “Now can we get back to work?”
The sooner they finished, the sooner she could go home and spend some time thinking about the kisses they’d shared.
Chapter Five
Despite all the growth in nearby towns, North Salem remained on the smaller side and clung to its small town traditions. It was one of the main reasons Brett had picked it last year when he’d decided to buy a home in Massachusetts. At the same time, it was close enough to larger cities for when he found himself in need of a night at a ball game or a concert. After making the drive into Boston and then back home all week, he was reconsidering his decision. He’d tried leaving his house at different times each morning, and it didn’t seem to help. The only thing it seemed to change was where he hit the majority of traffic. If he didn’t win the election and stayed working for Homeland Security, he might need to get a second place in Boston, because the commute every day would drive him insane. He honestly didn’t know how other people did it. Until November though, he’d suck it up and deal. It didn’t make any sense to make
changes until after he knew whether or not he’d be heading to DC.
Brett took the exit for Salem and checked his watch. Nineteen—Brett stopped before he finished the thought. Regardless of where he found himself in six months, he needed to get back in the habit of using civilian time. “Seven o’clock. Damn,” he said.
They’d agreed to meet at seven. He’d have to call Jen and let her know he was running behind. He already felt bad enough she’d driven up tonight. He’d tried to change her mind, but she’d refused to budge. She’d insisted it was her turn to make the trip since he’d come down to Rhode Island twice already. Although he’d disagreed, especially since he’d visited his family as well as her during his first trip, he’d stopped trying to change her mind pretty quickly. Her stubbornness rivaled his own, and that was saying a lot.
Brett pressed the phone icon on the car’s touch screen. “Call Jen,” he said as he turned right and approached a yellow traffic light. The sound of a ringing phone came though the car speakers. After a few rings, Jen’s voice replaced it.
“Sorry, I’m still about ten minutes out,” he said after greeting her.
“No problem. I just got here. Do you want me to let them know I’m here so we don’t lose our table?”
He doubted they’d have a problem getting seated no matter when they arrived. For better or worse, his picture had been plastered on every New England news channel and newspaper this week. One look at him and the restaurant staff would know exactly who he was and what family he belonged to. He didn’t share his thoughts. Despite knowing who he was, Jen treated him like any other man, something his week had been lacking so far. He didn’t want to say or do anything to change her behavior. “Sounds like a good idea. Go ahead and order a drink if you want to. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
When Jen had insisted on coming up, he’d called his buddy Sean and asked for some nearby recommendations. While Boston boasted plenty of four- and five-star restaurants, driving in the city could be difficult and parking expensive. He didn’t want to make Jen’s trip any more inconvenient or costly. He knew she’d never accept an offer to pay for her parking. She wasn’t that kind of woman.
Sean had come back with three suggestions. One had been right in North Salem, but it would’ve added at least twenty minutes to her drive, so he’d dismissed it right away. He’d checked the other two out before settling on Turin. He’d learned at some point that Italian was Jen’s favorite food. Turin specialized in Italian and offered free onsite parking, something not all the restaurants in Salem had.
Brett picked the empty spot next to Jen’s car. He managed to get halfway across the parking lot before his cell phone rang. The device had rung more in the past week than it had in the past year. A quick glance at the screen confirmed what he already knew; the caller was Carl. When he’d hired the man, Carl had joked he should just move into Brett’s house since they’d be spending so much time together. He’d thought the guy was exaggerating, but after all the phone calls and lunch meetings they’d had this week alone, Brett realized how true the statement had been. It would probably only get worse the closer they got to the primary in November.
“Hi Carl,” Brett said. “Now’s not the best time. Can it wait until tomorrow?”
“I’ll be quick tonight.”
Carl’s understanding of the word quick and his were worlds apart. A fact he’d learned this week when a “quick” lunch meeting turned into a two-hour affair.
“I just got word Ted Smith is on the November ballot. He turned his nomination papers in late this afternoon.”
They’d already assumed the former lieutenant governor would be his main competition for the party nomination. In his mind, this news didn’t change the strategy they’d developed. “Thanks for letting me know. Any other important updates?”
Brett stopped in front of the restaurant entrance. Any discussion they needed to have, he’d prefer to do it outside. Once he sat down, he wanted to devote his attention to Jen, not his campaign manager or the upcoming election.
“Not at the moment.”
Thank you. Brett pulled open the door and stepped inside. “We’ll talk later.”
He shoved the device back into his pocket as he crossed the waiting area. Several people sat waiting for a table. Most were paying more attention to their electronic devices than each other or anyone else coming inside.
The hostess recognized him before he greeted her. He couldn’t recall it ever happening to him before unless he’d been accompanied by one of his cousins. Even then it was his cousins people recognized, not him. “Mr. Sherbrooke, welcome to Turin. I’ve already seated your guest.”
Brett forced a smile. Better get used to this. The first of his campaign television ads was scheduled to launch Monday. Once they did, his face would be even more recognizable. “Excellent. Thank you.”
He followed the hostess through the candlelit dining room. As expected for a Friday night, all the tables were occupied. In here at least most of the people were having conversations with each other instead of texting away on their cell phones or checking their e-mails.
“Here we are, Mr. Sherbrooke.” The hostess stopped at a table designed for two.
At the sound of the woman’s voice, Jen looked up from her cell phone and a welcoming smile spread across her face. She didn’t hesitate to put the device down.
Even though the hostess stood there, he walked around the table and brushed his lips across Jen’s cheek before taking his seat.
“Ann will be taking care of you this evening. She’ll be right over.” The hostess handed Brett a menu before walking away.