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“Meredith Mitchell, didn’t I teach you to show up earlier thanthis for important events?”

The man speaking was tall and handsome in an older gentleman kindof way, and he looked vaguely familiar, yet it wasn’t until he scooped Meredithinto a hug that Stevie recognized him as Meredith’s father, James Mitchell, theformer governor of New York and the beautiful older woman next to him must beMeredith’s mother. Stevie watched their affectionate exchange with a trace ofenvy.

“Stevie, these are my parents, James and Anna Mitchell. Mom andDad, this is my friend, Stevie Palmer.”

Stevie shook their hands. “Nice to meet you both.” It was. Kindof. But mostly it was strange to meet Meredith’s parents so soon into theirdating lifespan. To add to the strangeness, a male version of Meredith appearedat their side.

“Hey, sis, did you bring a date? We only saved you one seat.Jen’s watching them for us.”

Stevie watched Meredith’s face twitch slightly, but she coveredit fast with an introduction. “Stevie, meet my brother, Michael. He runs a dataanalytics company because he lacks the social skills to run for public office.”She play-jabbed her brother in the side. “Isn’t that right, Mikey?” Before hecould reply, Meredith said “Actually, we already have seats reserved. We’llcatch up with you all at the reception.” She grabbed Stevie’s arm and steeredher in the opposite direction. “Sorry about that.”

“No need. Did you know your family was coming?”

“Yes, but I really didn’t think it through. They’re all soconnected with this crowd, I’m used to seeing them pretty much everywhere Igo.”

Stevie started to ask Meredith what the “it” was that she hadn’tthought through, but before she could come up with a way to form the questionthat didn’t sound confrontational, Meredith gestured toward a row of tablescovered in white cloth and lined with glass flutes. “Glass of champagne beforewe find our seats?”

“Drinking before nuptials. Brilliant idea.” Stevie filed away herquestion and followed Meredith to the table, grateful not to talk aboutanything too serious in the festive crowd. Although the champagne bar wasfairly close, it took forever to get there since Meredith was stopped every fewfeet by someone she knew. She was gracious to everyone even when it wasapparent she barely knew the person who’d approached her. They were steps fromthe table, when a handsome woman in a tux pulled her into a hug. “They just letanyone in this place don’t they?”

“I guess so, ifyou’rehere.”

“Somebody has to keep the crowd in line.”

Stevie watched the exchange and noticed another woman standingbeside the tuxedoed woman wearing an Army dress uniform. The colonel leanedclose and whispered. “Let me guess, you’re not in politics.”

“Not even close.”

She stuck out a hand. “Zoey Granger, nice to meet you.”

Stevie returned the firm grip. “Stevie Palmer. Since you seem toknow your way around, care to give me a play-by-play?”

Zoey grinned. “I’ll do what I can, but I’m constantly playingcatch-up.” She motioned to the woman in the tux who had buttonholed Meredith.“That’s my girlfriend, Rook Daniels. Former fixer, she’s now—”

“The White House communications director.” Stevie shook her head.“I thought she looked familiar.”

Zoey nodded. “She went to law school with Julia Scott, andJulia’s the one who coaxed her out of her private practice into governmentlife.” She cocked her head. “And you’re here with Senator Mitchell. But you’reclearly not in politics, so I’m guessing lawyer.”

“You’d be right.”

“You could swing a cat in this room and hit a lawyer every time.”

Stevie glanced around at the formally dressed crowd and figuredmost of the lawyers in this room probably made more in a month than she made ina year. “True, but I’m afraid this isn’t my usual crowd. I’m a federal publicdefender.”

“I knew we had something in common. If you decide to hang aroundwith this crowd, I predict we’re going to be good friends.”

“Who’s hanging around with what crowd?” Rook approached withMeredith, and they passed around glasses of champagne. Zoey took the glass Rookhanded to her and inclined her head for Rook’s kiss. Stevie watched themintently, wondering how they’d met and if their love was still new. Lost inthought, she started at the soft hint of Meredith’s breath near her ear.

“I see you’re making friends with the gang.”

Stevie grinned. “There’s a gang?”

“There is. Rook is not just a good person to know, she’s goodpeople. I haven’t had much time to get to know Zoey, but if Rook loves her,then she’s top-notch.”

“Are all your friends politicians?”

“You’re not.”

“Evasive answer.” Stevie wondered again if Meredith consideredher only a friend, but she didn’t want to press the point. Not here. Besides,this wasn’t her crowd and it never would be. Rook and Zoey and Addison andJulia might be solid people, but no way could she ever fit in here. Too muchmoney, too much power and concern about appearances. She resolved to enjoy thisevening and then go back to her life in the trenches where her version ofchampagne was a ten-dollar a bottle Prosecco served not in fancy crystalglasses, but from whatever wasn’t already in the dishwasher.