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“Senator White, always good to see you,” my father plays his part, but I know him well enough to see the seriousness in his eyes. I’m reminded of his unsaid warning earlier.
“And you, Renaldo.” Mark looks from my father to me with a polite smile.
“This is Senator Mark White,” Papá says to me and then turns back, “This is my daughter Eleanna who wanted to show support with me today.”
“Ohmigod, right? It’s so important to get out and show up for these important issues!” Mark’s date gushes, causing the three of us to almost freeze and stare at her for a beat.
“Are you a big fan of prairie dogs, then?” I ask, a bit baffled, and automatically trying to save this poor girl from the puddle of awkward she just fell into.
She looks disgusted, “Prairie what?”
“Today’s luncheon, it’s for an endangered breed of Texas prairie dogs.” I say, watching her face light up in fake recognition. Papá glares at her with one eyebrow up in his hairline, but Mark watches me. With a smirk.
“Right! Yes! The prairie dogs. Such a shame. I’m Lydia, by the way, or you may follow me online, At Lydia Lets Save Texas?”
“Oh, of course I follow you, great to meet you,” I extend my hand. No point letting this poor thing dig an even deeper grave for herself.
“Eleanna, right? What’s your handle?” She asks me. I freeze for a second.
“Yes, what’s your handle?” Mark says, looking amused.
I search the recesses of my mind for everything Mia has ever said about social media. “Oh, um, it’s set to private. I just, you know, get on and scroll.”
My father clears his throat and to my utter shock, extends an arm to Lydia. “I have a friend who just told me he was looking for an influencer for a small brand deal, could I introduce you?”
“Holy shi— uh, I mean, really? Yes! Lead the way!” She eagerly walks off with a man who cannot possibly know what an influencer is or what brand deals are.
Mark’s stare stays on me as I watch them. His voice is low and playful. “And are you a big fan?”
“Oh, absolutely. They look like Timon from the Lion King. We’ve got to save them no matter the cost, which I’m guessing was at least a grand per plate.”
He laughs at that, but it’s not like before. It’s just a small chuckle that seems to have escaped without his permission. Still, I’ll take it. “Five grand.”
I almost choke on my mimosa, and my voice comes out a little garbled when I say, “That’s not nearly enough.”
“Indeed. Good play, saving her like that.”
I let my brow furrow for half a beat. “Play?”
“She’ll love you forever now.” He says with a wink. A wink so sexy I feel it in my whole body, down to my bone marrow. The very next second, it’s gone, and a polished-looking old man approaches, clearly seeking Mark out.
“It was lovely to meet you, Ms Delgado.” Mark says, having already turned away from me to focus on the politician approaching. He almost gives me his back as he starts their conversation. I’m left standing awkwardly alone.What the heck!
I don’t let my irritation get the better of me. He’s working right now. Mamá always mutters that nothing good comes from interrupting a man while he’s working. I don’t react. I simply pass them with my head high in search of my father, making sure the senator gets a nice view of my back.You work your target.I’ll work mine, husband.
As Papá and I continue around the room, sans Lydia, I sense Mark’s eyes on me more than once. A couple old codgers kiss my hand, and more than a couple young businessmen make me laugh out loud. In the moment, I am sure he is eyeing me, studying me. But I never manage to catch him in the act.
Soon Papá announces we are done, and I am whisked back to the car.
“Bueno,Eleanna.” He says to me as we start to drive away. “When he returns in three weeks, you’ll be his date to a gala for some other useless bullshit cause.”
“Papá,” I scold.
“Five grand for damned prairie dogs?Lydia saves fucking Texas?Slice me with a dull knife,” he mutters and I can’t help but giggle. He chuckles too. I let out all of my nervous energy so hard that I actually tear up from laughing.
Seriously, what a strange new world I’m entering.
Even so, that was the end for Lydia. I’ll be his next date. And his date from now on. I imagine that sensation I felt from across the room, his keen attention, those pale blue eyes… they’ll be on me, with me, for a whole night. I can’t wait.
