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“So are you coming out with me? I could use the support. You’re my lucky charm after all.” I’m feeling greedy, my smile growing, already wanting her nearby for what is without a doubt one of the most important days of my life.
“Your what?” she questions, her eyes squinting up at me.
“My lucky charm. You saved me from a long night with my mother a year ago when those drinks spilt on my shoes. Last week, you saved me from an uncomfortable face off with my soon-to-be opponent at the luncheon. That’s twice you have saved me, so I am calling it lucky,” I state, firm in my assessment. The vision in my memory of that night over a year ago is now brightly lit. I was hating every moment of being at that event and Beth gave me the perfect opportunity to escape.
“I am not lucky, and I can’t go out dressed like this.” Her arms spread wide, looking herself up and down.
“You look beautiful to me,” I murmur, just loud enough for her to hear, and I let my eyes sweep then. Down her body and back up again, clear for her to see, committing her to memory. I watch her blush once more, and it’s becoming my favorite sight. She’s cute when she’s flustered.
“Harrison! We need you out front!” Oscar says again from the doorway, his voice now strained, not happy whatsoever that I am taking my time. He is stealth, because I didn’t even hear him come back in.
“Shall we?” I ask her, sweeping my hand to the side toward the door.
“So chivalrous, Mr. Governor,” she says with a lift of her brow before strutting past me and straight out the door.
“You have no idea…” I murmur again, before following her out of the room and walking toward the media pit outside.
It is frantic, journalists and cameras everywhere. As Oscar and Eddie try to get a handle on things, I stand waiting for everyone to calm down. It takes a moment until I hear a sigh behind me and my redhead steps forward.
“Okay, everyone, take your spots. It is about to start, and I need you in your final positions,” Beth yells to the crowd of reporters, her hands on her hips. My eyebrows raise at her take-charge attitude. I like it.
The media scrum listens immediately, all shuffling into position, getting ready, and my eyes rest on her again.She is good.I see Oscar scowling, which is in contrast to Eddie's smirk, my own thoughts now running a million miles a minute in a direction they really shouldn’t be.
“Hey, Red, what are you doing out here?” one of the photographers says to her, and I watch with interest as it appears she knows a few of them.
“Hi, Max. Someone has to keep you all under control. Are you ready?” she sasses them, and everyone stands still, looking directly at me.
“The floor is yours, Mr. Rothschild,” Beth says, as she retreats back behind me to join her yoga classmates and watch proceedings. I smile at her. A genuine, beaming smile, that shows just how impressed I am by her. Stepping forward, flashes of cameras go off in my face, just before microphones and a myriad of cell phones are shoved under my chin.
“Thank you, everyone, for being here. I am at the Riverside Community Center this morning to officially announce my run for Governor of Maryland,” I begin the practiced speech, keeping my shoulders back and my head high.
“I have been working toward this for my entire life. Even as a kid, I dreamed of leading this state. I want to serve the community, building the state to become one of the most fiscally sound in the country, ensuring that our communities are invested in, and bringing jobs and new infrastructure projects to the doors of many, including everyone here in Riverside. I want to thank Mayor Rogers for being here this morning and for all the amazing work he and his colleagues will do with me if I am elected.”
I nod my thanks to the mayor and he replies in kind as my eyes roam the sea of reporters. I force my head to stay forward, needing to make a conscious effort not to look at the side, where I know Beth is standing.
“So along with my announcement this morning, I would also like to provide you with an introduction to one of our key promises that I will deliver if elected. Here in Riverside, we will be investing over fifteen million dollars into new infrastructure for residential and commercial purposes, creating jobs, economic stimulus, and to breathe new life into the community. Starting right here at 45 Starling Street, we will redevelop this state-owned land to bring in new investors, increase the flow of money into the state, and provide a better lifestyle for everyone here.”
Cameras continue flashing, capturing this moment, and there are murmurs from the media pack, along with a big smile on the mayor's face.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me and continues to support me in making Maryland the best state in the country and, of course, I want to make a special mention to my team and my family for all their continued support. I will now take questions.”
People shuffle before me as I point to one of the media scrum to take their question.
I answer the questions thrown at me skillfully, being as honest and open as I can, before Oscar calls a close to the press conference and we walk back inside.
“Great job. Well handled. We are now off and racing,” Oscar says with a rare smile as he smacks my back like a proud father.
“Where’s Eddie?” I ask as my eyes roam the people, and I shake hands with a few.
“Over talking with the people from the center,” Oscar murmurs, his head buried in his phone.
I look over at the small crowd of people and see Eddie talking with Beth and my shoulders tense as an unfamiliar feeling starts to swirl in my stomach. I don’t like the way he is looking at her. She is still in her yoga gear and the need I have to take my jacket off and put it around her shoulders to cover her up runs strong.
My younger brother makes friends wherever he goes, including this community center, it appears. He has a smile that makes most women swoon, but right now, my redhead looks like she is ready to punch him in the face. I walk over, wanting to talk with her again and see what is going on.
As I approach, she sees me and her body swivels towards me. My step almost falters as her eyes find mine.
“You cannot be serious!” Beth says to me, fire in her tone, her hands flapping around and forehead crumpled.
