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“Darci. That’s a lovely name. It’s so nice to meet one of Bradley’s friends.”
When Ailene released her, Steve Givens stood and offered his hand.
“A pleasure to meet you, Darci. I’m familiar with your work with the ACSL. We should talk sometime.”
Darci couldn’t help but notice Bradley roll his eyes. Serves him right, she decided. This wasn’t the sort of thing you surprised a girl with. She offered Steve her brightest smile. “I would love that. We’re looking at which candidate for president we want to endorse in the primaries and your name comes up often. That is… if you’re running.”
It was mostly true. It would be weeks before the ACSL came out with an endorsement, but they would likely endorse someone from Governor Givens party. Bradley stiffened next to her, and she fought the urge to smirk. This was going to go better than she had planned.
Steve Givens didn’t miss a beat and immediately launched into a discussion about why the ACSL could be proud of endorsing him for president. Darci quizzed him on several subjects. By the time the waiter returned with wine, Bradley was obviously uncomfortable.
Ailene took the interruption of the waiter to get the conversation away from politics. “So, Darci, how did you meet our son?”
Darci launched into a slightly edited version of the story, leaving out club Exposure, the murder, and anything else that would make less than pleasant dinner conversation. It was easy to go along with Bradley’s lie about her apartment being renovated, but she embellished further by saying that none of her other friends had room for her. She really didn’t want Steve and Ailene to know she was sleeping with their son. Especially since it wasn’t going anywhere.
If he was inconsiderate enough to force her into meeting his parents, what else was he going to be inconsiderate about? It didn’t matter how charming he was. She had to distance herself from him. An idea formed, and a few minutes later she excused herself from the table.
As she made her way to the restroom, she pulled out her phone and found Jim’s name. Just as she opened the bathroom door, he answered her call.
“Jim, hey. It’s Darci. Have you left for New York? If not, things have changed and I can go if you still want me to.”
“I would love that, Darci. You know how much I hate that city. If you’re offering, I can have you on a plane tonight.”
That’s exactly what she was hoping to hear. If only she could figure out how to ditch her security. Maybe she didn’t have to.
After washing her hands, she made her way back to the table. “I’m terribly sorry. I have an emergency at work. I’m going to ask security to take me to my office.”
Bradley jumped to his feet, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. “What’s wrong? Can I come with you?”
She flashed the smile she knew would calm him. “No need. Stay with your parents. I’ll see you back at your place.” It was misleading, but she didn’t say when she would see him at his place, so it wasn’t a complete lie.
His expression told her he wanted to object, but she reassured him that security was accompanying her, and he relaxed somewhat.
Turning to his parents she said, “Governor and Mrs. Givens, I’m so sorry I have to leave. I enjoyed our conversation, brief as it was.”
Both parents stood and offered Darci a hug.
“Come visit us in Arkansas sometime,” Ailene said, before releasing her. Darci smiled and offered a noncommittal nod. No way that would be happening.
Ten minutes later, she was on her way to her office to grab the overnight bag she kept there for last minute trips like this. Her flight was in less than two hours, so she was cutting it close.
Security was unhappy about her going to New York without them but said she could go if she called Bradley. There was no way she was calling him before she got to the airport, so she countered. “I’ll call Bradley before I go through security. You can walk me to the check point.” And that’s how she found herself dialing Bradley’s number outside of the security checkpoint into the terminal while an unhappy bodyguard watched.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Darci?” Bradley demanded when she told him she was getting on a plane.
“I’m working.” She kept her tone even. There was no way she was going to have a fight with him in front of the stern looking TSA agent.
“Damn it Darci it’s not safe.”
“I have to go through security now. We’ll talk when I get back into town.”
“Security will pick you up from the airport.”
She took a deep breath. “I think I’m going to stay with Michael when I get back. You don’t have to pay for security anymore. He can keep an eye on me.”
The growl of frustration that came through the line was nearly enough to break her. Yes, she cared for this man, but she had to do what was best for them both.
“This is clearly about more than you having to work. Wewilltalk, Darci. I don’t care if I have to come to New York for us to do it.”
