Page 15 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Evelyn

ONE YEAR LATER

“ Y ou look like a princess,” I sigh, wrapping my arms around Ileah and resting my chin on her shoulder.

It’s bittersweet seeing my friend married off.

This was the kind of wedding I was supposed to have when I met the love of my life.

Niagara Falls was a better option for Andrew and me, but maybe one day I’ll have something a little more special than a wedding thrown together in a week.

“You do too,” she replies with a painted-on smile literally anyone could see through.

I know too much. This is all a farce, and it’s been a test of my acting skills these past few months, pretending to be a doting bridesmaid, when all I’ve wanted to do is scream to the world that Finn Gallagher is in love with my friend.

She loves him too, but with this arranged marriage to Tim, they’ll never be together.

How did we both end up as political pawns?

At least I care about Andrew. I can’t say the same for Ileah and Tim. She deserves better—we both do.

Jaclyn comes over with three flutes of Champagne. She raises her glass and toasts, “May this be your first of many great husbands.”

I giggle and take a sip. It’s brut Champagne—not a sparkling wine—transporting me back to last year when Mickey and I had breakfast. I glance down at my ring and my heart cracks. I haven’t seen him since my own wedding and hate that he disappeared on us—or at least on me.

“Miss Vasileiou,” a man announces with a knock. “Your bridesmaids are needed for a few photographs in the garden. Your coordinator will be in shortly for any last-minute preparations.”

Ileah calls out to thank them, then tells Jaclyn and me she’ll be there in a minute.

We grab our purses and top off our glasses before leaving.

Only making it a few feet out the door, I have to do a double take at the man leaning against the wall opposite the bridal suite.

I only met Finn Gallagher once—the morning after I slept with Mickey—but I’d know those bright green eyes anywhere.

“Hey, Jaclyn? You go ahead. I’ll be there in a second. I, uh… forgot something in the suite.”

“I’ll wait for you,” she offers, sipping her bubbly.

“No, that’s okay. I’ll be right behind you.”

I offer a bright smile and pretend to walk back into the suite until Jaclyn is out of view, then approach Finn. “What are you doing here?” I whisper-shout, checking to my left and right to ensure no one is in earshot.

“Mrs. Adams. Pleasure to see you again.”

“I know about you and Ileah. You better not be here to ruin her wedding.”

“No.” He shakes his head, but he briefly draws his lips into his mouth to hide his smile. “I just need to see her before she marries him.”

My heart squeezes; he’s just like his brother. “I understand.” I dare to ask, “How’s Mick?”

“He misses you.”

Those three little words nearly break me. What Mickey and I shared was like something out of a movie. Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, boy disappears. Definitely more of a tragedy than a romantic comedy. “No,” I insist, and swallow thickly. “He doesn’t.”

“Trust me, love. He does. This past year…” Finn blows out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “He lost two people he loves, but he’s more than just a lovesick arsehole. He’s cold. Distant.”

“Mick doesn’t love me,” I huff, checking my surroundings again.

He takes my hand and lifts it to show off my ring. “This says otherwise.”

“It’s my fake engagement ring. It’ll be off my finger in a year.” I take my hand back. “And if he loved me, he wouldn’t have disappeared after the wedding.”

“You know as well as I do, you won’t be divorced next year.

” His accent is extra thick as he growls, “My brother had to do what’s best for the country.

The health of our nation is too important.

You know as well as I do, Andrew needs to win the Maryland seat, and Tim Fucking McKinnon needs to be Governor of Delaware before he joins Andrew in the Senate.

You and Mr. Adams will get everything you’ve always wanted in the end, but Mick and I don’t get to be with the people we love. ”

The Gallaghers are Washington’s directors, not the stars. My heart breaks for them. Even if Andrew and I divorce, would either of us have a relationship with Mickey? If it ever got out, it could ruin Andrew’s chances at reelection.

He’s incorrect—I’m not going to get everything I’ve always wanted.

I wrap my arms around Finn, and it takes him by surprise. “Tell him I miss him too. I always will.”

“I promise,” he sighs and holds me tighter. “You know how this ends, don’t you?”

I nod against him. “I’m caught in the web, just like Ileah.”

“I love her, just as Mick loves you.” He pulls back, and his eyes are glassy. “I’m sorry.”

There’s an echo of clacking heels, and I take another step away from Finn. “Be kind to her.”

He nods, and I rush off to find Jaclyn. They’re already lined up for the ceremony, and I jog the last few steps to stand next to Andrew, who is in front of Alex and Jaclyn. “Whoa, that was fast! Did I miss pictures?”

“No,” Jaclyn replies, swiping at nonexistent wrinkles on her dress. “It was really strange. We got there and they directed us to get staged for the wedding.”

Oh, Finn, you sneaky bastard.

“Must’ve been a misunderstanding.” After a few minutes, I can’t hold it in any longer. I tuck my hand in the crook of Andrew’s elbow and lean in to quietly tell him, “I talked to Finn.”

“Just now?” I nod, and his breath catches. “Shit. Why is he here?”

“He had to see her.”

“Like Mick needed to see us? Can’t say I’m surprised.” He huffs a laugh, then briefly glances behind us. I follow his gaze. “Well, Ileah is already here, so I doubt she had the same outcome you did when we got married.”

Over the past year, Andrew and I have occasionally slept together—usually after we’ve polished off a bottle or two of wine. While it’s fun, there isn’t the emotional or romantic connection I crave. Just two friends getting each other off.

Finn was right about one thing: I won’t be able to walk away from Andrew in a year.

Even if I do, I can’t be with Mickey—and neither can Andy.

I’m better off remaining married to my best friend.

In the end, this is bigger than me. If it keeps Maryland out of the hands of evil men, it’s worth the sacrifice.

The doors open for us to begin. Ileah’s cousin, Athena, starts with Tim’s friend from college.

They’re followed by Ileah’s siblings—Maria and Nicolas.

Andy and I are next, then Jaclyn and Alex.

Everyone stands as Ileah walks down the aisle with her father.

Ileah was playing matchmaker when she paired Alex with Jaclyn, but the two of them would never work.

Her father is the President, and his father will likely serve a term or two after him.

Both families are conservative, but Alex is a moderate.

From a publicity standpoint, it would be a nightmare.

The country isn’t ready for collaboration between political parties.

My hope is the future—and my children’s future—looks different.

Bringing up kids in a world where people are so full of hate terrifies me.

Ileah, Jaclyn, and I are an unlikely and unlucky trio.

Ileah’s father is a left-leaning Supreme Court Justice who disagrees with President Taylor’s policies often, whereas I was brought up by two very liberal parents who brought me to protests since I was in the womb.

They make Justice Vasileiou look like a centrist in comparison.

Still, we remained great friends after college and never let politics divide us.

We’re stronger united, and agree on important issues.

My only hope is Washington doesn’t break any of us.

Ileah looks breathtaking, but she always pictured herself walking down the aisle of a Greek Orthodox church.

I hate that today isn’t what she imagined.

I may not be religious, but I would’ve sat through the whole ceremony, sky-high heels and all, just to see her have that moment.

It’s lovely here, but it’s starting to feel more like my elopement with Andrew—a performance that looks like love from far enough away.

The ceremony is short, and once they’ve said their I do’s, I’m walking back down the aisle with Andrew.

I spot Finn lurking in the shadows; my heart hurts for him.

How could he willingly watch the woman he loves marry someone else?

Whatever he said to her earlier didn’t have her calling off the wedding, and Ileah doesn’t appear to be fazed by it.

Either she’s an incredible actress, or it’s one-sided—both are sad outcomes.

The reception has a similar color palette—mostly white and pastels.

It’s seasonally appropriate, but I’m sure it was arranged by her family.

If Ileah wasn’t married in the church, I always pictured her getting married in a library, or even a museum.

She has an old soul and I wish the day better matched her personality.

If I ever remarry, I’d love to have red roses in the middle of winter.

There’s something about dark crimson against a snowy backdrop that is so beautiful and simple.

While I’m used to glamorous fundraisers and weddings, a log cabin in the middle of nowhere with no cameras or theatrics sounds heavenly.

We make our way to the round bridal party table, and Andrew sits to my left. A few minutes later, a server drops off a gin and tonic for me. As he walks away, I call after him, “This isn’t mine. I didn’t order anything!”

“No, I did,” Andy whispers to me, and waves off the waiter. “I figured it would take the edge off.”

“Thanks.” I take a quick sip. “Should probably keep them coming. It was weird seeing Finn today.”

“I saw him as we were leaving the altar. What did he say to you earlier?”

I keep my voice low as I admit, “That Mickey misses us.”

I wish with all of my being that Andrew and I had a romantic relationship, but we just don’t.

The past year has been torture. Every time I drive by the little pub where Mick and I had breakfast, or even just a glance down at my ring.

.. Mickey haunts me. I can’t even order an egg white omelet anymore.

“There hasn’t been a single day this year that I didn’t think of him.”

“I know,” Andy sighs, leaning closer to wrap an arm around me. He kisses my temple, murmuring, “I’m sorry.”

Jaclyn joins us with a glass of wine, and Alex sits next to her, drinking what appears to be an Old Fashioned or some sort of whiskey drink.

My stomach is in knots all over again, remembering the night I went home with Mickey and how he tasted like whiskey.

I’ve steered clear of the amber liquid for the better part of a year to avoid moments like this.

The boys begin talking about a new bill that impacts Texas and Maryland that just passed in the House. Jaclyn quickly swaps seats so they don’t have to shout over us. “You’re next,” I tease, gesturing to Ileah and Tim.

“Absolutely not!” she laughs, taking a long gulp of her wine.

“I have so much on my plate right now. I’m now on the board for my mother’s cherry blossom preservation charity.

No time to date, much less get married.” She graduated top of our class, and I hate that she’s running a charity for trees that wreak havoc on everyone’s allergies instead of making use of her law degree.

Since Jaclyn sat down, Alex has been sneaking glances of her. I counter with a shrug, “It isn’t as if you can help who you fall in love with.”

“There will be no love,” she sighs. “I’ll probably be married off to some rich corporate asshole or an equally rich politician to help hand him the Presidency.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way. You can break the cycle.” I’m a hypocrite for suggesting it, but if anyone could do it, it’s Jaclyn.

She squeezes my hand once. “If only.”