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While waiting for her tea to steep, she thought of Rob. He would have enjoyed this evening. Belatedly, she wondered whether or not she should have invited him. They didn’t talk much by phone these days but had exchanged emails and texts. Reaching for her phone, she punched his number, then put the phone on speaker and sat at the kitchen island as it rang.
“Hello, Rob, it’s Monique.”
A pause and then “Uh, hi.”
Monique frowned. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Yes, I have company. Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. We had our mayoral debate tonight and I was going to share some of the highlights with you. But no worries…we can talk later.”
“Okay, we’ll talk later. Goodbye.”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” Monique mumbled as she slid off the bar stool and walked over to dress her tea. Having been broken up for months, it shouldn’t have surprised her that Rob was dating. God knew she’d moved on. As she took her cup to the bedroom and prepared for a shower, her heart was happy. Rob was a good man and deserved a woman who loved him. Maybe, she thought as she stepped into the shower stall, our friendship will survive after all.
* * *
A few miles away, at the home of Ike and Jennifer Drake, a small but lively gathering was in full swing. Except for Reginald and Julian, all of Niko’s siblings had been at the debate and were now here. Joining them were Bryce and a few other select members of Niko’s staff along with his staunchest financial supporters. Their festive mood was proof of how well they’d thought their candidate had performed.
Ike Jr. watched Niko slip into an unoccupied room and close the door. He quickly followed. “Sneaking away for a moment of solitude?”
“I see I’m not going to get it,” Niko said with a smile, as he texted on his cell phone.
“How are you holding up?”
“Man, I’m exhausted. But Mom says that as the man of the hour it would be rude to be the first one to leave.”
“I’d say she has a point.” They laughed. “Things seemed to have gone well tonight. The crowd was fantastic.”
“Looked like the whole town showed up. I guess P.C. is ready for change.”
“I must say, there was one face I was expecting to see and didn’t.”
Niko looked up from his phone. “Who?”
“Ashley. Considering her borderline harassment of you lately, I was on the lookout.”
“This is one of the biggest events that’s happened here lately. She would not have missed it. Trust me, you may not have seen her but I guarantee she was there. Her and her messy mama, too.”
“I saw Joy. She was busy shooting daggers at the family while schmoozing up to Dick’s wife, Cindy.”
Niko slowly shook his head. “Joy’s a trip. I almost feel sorry for Ashley. With an opportunistic mother like that, she never had a chance.”
“I have to give it to you, little brother. You held it down tonight.”
“Thanks, Ike.”
“Especially given some of the B.S. being spouted. Dick was in rare form.”
“You don’t know the half.” He shared Dick’s earlier comments.
“Doesn’t surprise me. He’s a part of the old guard who aren’t ready to give up their post and realize that times have changed.”
“I wanted to punch him in the mouth.”
“Yes, I’d feel the same way if someone talked about my woman.” Niko voiced a stern denial, which elicited a chuckle from Ike. “You know I’m right. Terrell and I have suspected it for a while. From our keen observations and your reaction just now, I’d say we’re right.” He looked at Niko for confirmation. A church mouse could not have been quieter.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he finally said.
Ike’s smile broadened. “Oh, really? Then you probably don’t know why I’m getting bills for services rendered by the cleaning company for the San Francisco condo?” Niko’s brow rose ever so slightly. “You forgot that I manage the family expenses and regularly check the books? I know I haven’t spent the night there. I could ask Mom and Dad if they’ve been there recently but—”
