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Brendan tucked his hands in his pockets. “Then I hope you’ll understand when I say that my brother Ian and I are very close. He’s the only one I’ve got. If I miss his rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, I won’t ever forgive myself. I’m sorry. I can’t take those meetings for you.”
The Senator let out a long breath, steepling his fingers. “You should have told me right away.”
“You’re right,” Brendan said steadily. “I apologize.”
Under his calm façade, his heart beat fast. He’d built his career so carefully, conscious of every step and optic. If this put a chink in the foundation, if he’d fucked himself over…
“I want to remember why I went into politics, Senator.” The words came out before he could think. “It’s because of people. To help, to serve. If I’m not there for the people who matter most to me, how can I be there for anyone else?”
The Senator studied him without reply.
“I’ll prep Melanie for the meetings,” Brendan continued. “I guarantee she’ll do a good job. She won’t let you down.”
“You’re sure she can handle them?”
“I am.”
The Senator put his palms on the table. “These meetings are important, Brendan. If something goes wrong, it won’t be Mel who let me down. It’ll be you.”
When Brendan returned to his desk, his chest felt tight. He was still in the doghouse, he knew.
Why was he killing himself over this job? There were other ways to help people, to have influence.
Sonia was right. Life had always come easily to him. It had been exciting, when he got into politics, to finally work hard.
But he had to admit he was burned out. Most Capitol Hill staffers lasted three years on average. He’d hit the three-year mark last week.
“Maybe I’m done,” he muttered.
Sonia’s words echoed through his mind.
Call me when you want me.
When late afternoon hit, fueled by coffee and a growing to-do list, he retreated to the private restroom and took out his phone.
Sonia answered immediately. “Hello?”
Brendan allowed himself a moment of satisfaction that she was greeting him politely. “I want you here. At my office. Now.”
“For what?” She sounded out of breath, and he wondered what she was doing.
He cupped his hand around his phone. “Your mouth, Sonia. Under my desk. While you’re on your knees.”
He waited for her to say no. To say that it was unprofessional and dangerous for him to order her to his Capitol Hill office for sex. If they were caught, he could kiss his golden-boy reputation goodbye.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
He could hardly believe it. “Okay?”
“How will I get into your building?”
“You can request a visitor pass. Say you’re my guest. I’ll call down now to confirm it.”
“Who do you want me to be?”
A smile spread across Brendan’s face as the tension in his shoulders melted away. He leaned against the wall. “What are my options?”
“Well, secretary is an obvious choice,” Sonia teased. “Intern, if you’re feeling especially reckless. I could be interviewing for a job…or giving you a big apology for messing up at work.” Her voice dropped. “Or what about…a reporter whoreallywants a scoop?”
