“Charlotte Tinsley was asking about you the other day,” he said, confirming my suspicions.
Charlotte was an old family friend, and our parents had been trying to hook us up for ages. She always seemed keen, but I simply wasn’t attracted to her. And I was wary of getting involved when I knew marriage was the expectation.
“I’m not interested.” I pulled my laptop out of my bag, hoping it would put an end to the matter.
It was wishful thinking because not a minute passed before Dad said, “At least be more discreet. I need to have voters focused on me, not on the photos splashed across the tabloids with you partying at clubs, half-naked women on your lap.”
I rolled my eyes. “That happened once.”
“Once was more than enough. All eyes are on us, and I don’t need to give my opponents any ammunition. We need to show that we’re a model family.”
I gnashed my teeth, more than ready to be done with this conversation. “What will it take for you to drop this—” He opened his mouth as if to speak, but I wasn’t done. “Permanently?”
He leaned back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee. “I need you to do something that shows responsibility, commitment. We need to at least make the voters think you’re a reformed playboy.”
What was this—the 1950s? I bit back my comment.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Alternatively, we could try to divert attention away from you by announcing your sister’s engagement to Bryan Aldridge.”
A muscle ticked in my jaw. Kate would never agree. But I would never want to put her in the position where it was a consideration. She didn’t like Bryan, and neither did I. Apparently, my father knew it too because he’d used my weak spot—my love for my sister—to put me in line.
I’d do anything to ensure her happiness, even at the cost of my own.
Thinking of Kate reminded me that we needed a different living situation with me moving back to LA and Preston’s live-in manny placement over. And a plan took shape in my mind, a solution that would accomplish those goals and get my dad off my back. Best of all, it would give Preston a second chance with the woman he loved.
“If I bought a house,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “Would that be enough to satisfy your campaign manager?”
He considered it a moment before nodding. “Yes. That’s a start.”
I kept my expression neutral, knowing better than to show all my cards. “What else?”
“Host a fundraising party to show off your home and raise money for my campaign.”
“And if I do that, you’ll leave Kate alone?” I watched his face carefully.
He inclined his head, letting me know we had an agreement. I settled back into the leather chair, our plane cruising high above the clouds.
Guess I’m going house hunting.
