AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She had noticed—and tried to discount—Davis’s downright giddiness tonight as they’d rubbed elbows with Philadelphia’s elite, his excitement growing with each introduction she offered. While she considered that part of the job a chore, Davis had looked at her as if she was his golden goose, opening doors to places he wanted to be.
So, despite her better judgment, Liza asked, “How so?”
“We’re both ambitious, driven, and we know how to get what we want from people.”
That didn’t sound horrible on the surface, but Liza’s Spidey-senses were screaming. “Tonight isn’t about me getting what I want. It’s about encouraging people to support a very worthy cause. The Promise House needs help, and I want to open people’s eyes to that.”
“Of course, you do,” Davis said, though his tone felt a bit too nudge-nudge, wink-wink to be sincere. “All I’m saying is the two of us could go far together. My political ambitions partnered with your connections and fundraising talents…we’d be unstoppable.”
Liza was starting to draw lines between dots she didn’t want to connect. “Unstoppable how?”
“The sky’s the limit,” he responded, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “The mayor’s office, the governor’s mansion, maybe even the White House.”
“Those sound like your ambitions. What about my career goals?”
“You’d still be using your skills. You’re good with people, with getting them on board and in support of a cause. Why does it matter if you’re working for the Initiative or…for your husband?”
Her eyes widened. “This is our sixth date, Davis,” she reminded him again, wondering how she’d slipped so deeply into the twilight zone.
“I know, and I’m certainly not proposing tonight. I’m simply saying I’ve played the field for enough years that I know what I’m looking for in a woman, in a wife. And, Liza, when I look at you, I see the potential for an amazing future for both of us.”
“It’s way too soon to discuss the future.” She hoped her tone was stern enough to penetrate the idiot’s thick skull. “But you should know, as you’re looking ahead, that I will always work for the Initiative, for those less fortunate.”
“That’s what I’m saying, Liza. You could do that with me. When I’m in office, I’d have the power to affect real change.”
It took Liza a few moments to let the dust settle on his comments. Partly because she was amazed that he would make such a tremendous leap—from dating to marriage talk—and that he would assume she would be fine with abandoning her career to support his.
“Davis, if you knew me better, you’d realize that I have no intention of giving up my job. I love it.”
“You’re not listening to me. I’m not suggesting you quit working completely, at least not until my political career is off the ground.”
She looked around for video cameras because she had to be getting punked.
“Your career would have zero bearing on mine,” she said, trying to use smaller words in hopes that he’d get it.
Davis frowned. “Liza, you and I…we’re the dream team. Surely you see that? Think about how much good you could do for all your pet projects as the wife of the governor.”
“Pet projects?” she said through gritted teeth.
He scowled, as if her anger was unjustified. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You’re being overly sensitive. I can see I shouldn’t have brought this up after you’ve had such a busy day.”
Why did it suddenly feel like he was patting her on the head like a cranky child?
“Take a few days to consider what I’ve said and—”
A few days?
“Oh no. I don’t need to consider a damn thing. I think you should leave.” She was suddenly very sorry she’d invited him to this gala. She’d obviously given him a false impression of herself, somehow made him think that she would be perfectly fine propping up some asshole man and making him the center of her motherfucking universe.
Bringing him here had been a mistake of epic proportions because if this conversation was happening in a restaurant versus this place, where she was technically working, she would toss her drink in his face and storm out. As it was, she was trapped here.
So he was the one who needed to get out. She just wasn’t sure he’d do that willingly.
“Leave?”
“Leave,” she repeated. “This date is over. It’s all over.”
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting? I wasn’t saying we should run out and get married tomorrow.”
