* * *
Kathy battled back the nerves that tightened every muscle in her body. She knew these people. She’d met them all before. But something felt different this time, and she didn’t know if it was her or them or Kevin or what. When she and Kevin dated before, she’d met them, but they hadn’t really interacted. They said hi or whatever, but that was it.
Tonight, they were all in her space, starting conversations and asking her questions. It was disconcerting.
Moira gave her a questioning smile from the other side of the table. Kathy forced her mouth to curve while Kevin offered the scant details he had on his new position.
“More money?” Tommy asked.
“Not yet. Maybe in the new budget, but I’m not holding my breath for that either.”
Sean laughed boisterously. “So you’re working longer hours, you don’t get to see your girlfriend, and you’re not making more money. You’re getting screwed. That’s Chicago politics at its finest.”
Kevin shook his head at his brother, who was still laughing. “It’s just another stepping-stone. I make this program work, I’ll be able to do anything I want. I can move into the private sector or higher up in the government.”
Norah spoke up then. “I always wondered if you planned to go into politics. I can totally see it.”
“See what?”
“You’d make a perfect politician.”
His eyes narrowed at his sister. “That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”
Kathy thought about the whole conversation. She’d never survive being in the spotlight with him as a politician. All the mudslinging and horrible things that people dredged up and spewed out. She felt sick just thinking about it.
She shook those thoughts loose. She and Kevin just started dating again. Who knew how far into the future such plans might be. She needed to not worry about things she couldn’t control and focus on what she could. Having a good time and celebrating with Kevin and his family was something she could do.
“I agree with Norah. You have that smarmy smile that people won’t quite know how to read,” Kathy said.
Everyone at the table laughed, even Norah’s hulking boyfriend, Kai. Norah pointed at Kevin. “‘Smarmy’ is the perfect word.”
He looked at Kathy. “Smarmy? Aren’t you supposed to be nice to me? This is a celebration.”
Kathy patted his thigh. “You’re also charming. You’d have the single female voting population swooning for you.” She batted her eyelashes for extra effect.
Kevin removed his arm from her shoulder and slid his hand between her legs and squeezed her inner thigh. He lowered his voice and said, “You’ll pay for that later.”
She felt the heat rise in her cheeks and she squirmed in her chair, but he didn’t move his hand. He simply returned his attention to his family and talked about his job prospects. Thankfully, none of which revolved around running for office.
Hours passed quickly and Kathy found herself having fun. At least once she got used to the fact that the O’Malleys were really loud and their form of communication tended to include sarcasm and insults.
Chapter Thirteen
For the next two weeks, life was a blur. Kevin met with Brent, who was his City Connections counterpart. They had met with Mayor Park once, who made it clear to Kevin he wanted to be as hands-off as possible. Other than talking on the phone daily and one all-too-brief lunch date, he hadn’t seen Kathy at all and it was taking its toll on him.
She wasn’t pressuring him. In fact, she seemed about as cool as one could be, which was almost as irritating as Park’s constant demands. He was beginning to feel like their relationship didn’t matter as much to her as it did to him.
Every time he called to apologize and say he was working late, she said she understood. She couldn’t wait up for him or meet for a late dinner or drinks because she had to get up so early. He stared at the empty wall of his office, wishing for a window to stare out. He needed to figure out how to make time to spend with Kathy and still make everything happen here.
Realistically, he knew the beginning of this new partnership was going to be the worst. Once they established everything, it would run a little smoother and it wouldn’t be so time-consuming. He certainly wouldn’t be expected to work sixty- or seventy-hour weeks forever.
A knock on his door drew his attention. No one came to his office. Most of his work was done by e-mail. If he had a meeting, he used the conference room. Although he loved the privacy of his office, he was a little embarrassed by the room itself.
“Come in.”
Sheila pushed the door open. “You have a visitor.”
He looked at her for more information, especially since he wasn’t expecting anyone, but then Kathy pushed through the opening with a thanks to Sheila on the way. Kathy carried two plants and a plastic bag that smelled like dinner.
He stood from his chair. “What are you doing here?”
She set everything on the chair in front of his desk. “You’ve been working a lot and we haven’t been able to spend any time together.” She came over and kissed him. “I missed you.”
Every concern he had about her lack of involvement disappeared in that instant. He reached past her and swung the door shut. Then returned his complete attention to kissing her thoroughly. He tasted her like she was the most expensive bottle of whiskey known to man. He savored her because he knew he wouldn’t be spending the night with her no matter how much he wanted to. He’d be working late tonight like he did every night.
When he pulled away, he said, “Christ, I’ve missed that.”
“Me too.”
He stepped farther back because if he didn’t, he would start undressing her and that wasn’t a smart move in his new office. She smiled as if reading his thoughts, and looked around.
“You weren’t kidding. It’s bare-bones in here.”
“It’s nothing special, but it’s mine.”
“Hey, that makes
