Instead of putting together the kind of stylized outfit her followers loved, she’d gone simple—pencil pants in a champagne color and a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. White sneakers added to the casual vibe.
While she sipped her drink, her mind drifted to Anson. Though Eve viewed Anson as more of an activist than a politician, she knew he believed that being elected to the city council would allow him to effect even more change.
He had so many ideas on how the city could better serve all of its citizens, and he was the kind of man to make things happen. His passion and his integrity, along with a strong sense of purpose, would make him a stellar council member.
The last thing Eve wanted was to torpedo his political chances. On Saturday night, she’d considered taking a big step back from him, but by Sunday night, she had decided not to do anything until she’d spoken with him.
She’d asked Anson if he was free to meet her at eleven. The time fit in nicely between the livestream she’d done that morning and the afternoon meeting scheduled with her media team. Another Zoom call later in the afternoon with the manufacturers would round out the day.
Apparently, the time had worked for him, too.
The bells over the door jingled. She looked up and saw he’d gone for casual, too, ditching the tie and settling for dark pants and a cotton shirt open at the collar.
Lifting a hand in greeting, she smiled.
His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he grinned, already crossing the room to where she sat.
When he reached her table, he gestured to the empty chair. “Is this seat taken?”
“I believe it’s got your name on it.”
Rubbing his chin, he surveyed the weathered chair. His green eyes twinkled. “I believe you’re right.”
His lips curved again into that easy smile that never failed to make her heart beat faster as he dropped into the chair next to hers.
It took everything Eve possessed to not lean over and kiss him. They’d kissed a few times, casual kinds of kisses, but those were no longer enough for her. As the subtle, intoxicating scent of his cologne wrapped around her senses, she accepted she wanted more from Anson Hawkins.
He glanced at the counter. “Can I get you something to drink?”
She pointed to her cup. “Thanks, but I already grabbed a latte. I’d have picked you up something, but I wasn’t sure what you’d be in the mood for this morning.”
“I’m in the mood to see you.” Anson shot her a wink. “I worried I’d be late. I stopped by campaign headquarters to speak with Jerome.”
Eve’s heart flip-flopped, but her hand was steady as she picked up her cup. “Any special reason?”
“Jerome said we needed to talk, that it was urgent. Businesswise, he wanted me to approve some press releases that he could have easily attached to an email.” Anson met her gaze, his green eyes serious. “What we ended up talking about was you.”
Though everything in Eve went cold, she waved an airy hand. “Let me guess. He gave you the same speech he gave me at the party Saturday.”
“Jerome was hired to manage my political campaign, not my personal life. Our relationship is none of his business.” Concern filled Anson’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me Saturday what he said to you?”
“I needed time to mull it over.” Setting down her cup, Eve kept her tone casual. “Most of what he said was rubbish, but I was—am—concerned. I certainly don’t want your association with me to negatively impact your campaign.”
“That won’t happen. Jerome was so far off base he wasn’t even on the ball field.” Reaching over, Anson took her hand, twining his fingers with hers. “I not only want you by my side, Eve, I need you. You’re real and authentic and someone I can always rely on.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” Emotion had her voice turning husky.
“It’s the truth.” Anson shifted his gaze out the window for a second before returning it to her. “Politics can feel so false with everyone wanting me to be a certain way. You ground me.”
Her heart became a sweet mass in her chest. “I think we do a good job of grounding each other.”
Anson brought their joined hands to his mouth and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “I couldn’t agree more.”