Page 18 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)
Evelyn
“ I swear I’ve only slept with Mickey once—technically twice, if you count the day of our wedding.
Sure, I’ve run into him a few times at fundraisers, but there were always other people around.
He never even bothered to say hello to me.
” What I don’t admit is every time I see the broody giant, I melt into a damn puddle as if the last seven years of being strangers never happened.
“Could’ve fooled me.” Andy smirks, a little dimple popping on his cheek, and I struggle to not mirror him. “Listen, I don’t know how much time we have before someone drags me out there, but if you want to date him, fuck him, whatever… go for it.”
I take his hands and sigh, “One photo, one recorded conversation, one wrong move—and it all goes up in flames. I won’t risk your career.”
“Two people I love are hurting, and Mick would be discreet. Don’t get me wrong, our occasional sex is always a good time, but you need more than a fuck buddy.”
He’s right, and my friends are in the same situation.
Jaclyn is newly engaged to Christopher Blake.
According to her, he’s not exactly the most selfless lover.
Ileah’s been married to Tim as long as I’ve been married to Andrew.
Tim has the personality of a wet blanket—passion isn’t his forte.
Andy is amazing as a friend, but we’ve never had any kind of romantic spark.
How did this happen?
“You deserve more too.” I squeeze tighter. “What about you and Mick?” He shakes his head, then rests his forehead on mine. As I close my eyes, I blow out a deep breath. “He was yours first.”
“It isn’t about who came first. My only concern is he’ll fall more in love with you and won’t remain impartial when it comes to work.”
“He’s not in love with me,” I chuckle humorlessly and pull him in for a tight hug.
The Gallaghers are dangerous men—even if their big hearts are in the right place most of the time.
It would be a foolish endeavor to pursue anything with Mickey.
Except every time I see him or his name is mentioned, my entire body lights up like a damn fireworks show.
I hate that after all this time, he still has this effect on me.
But it isn’t love.
“Agree to disagree,” Andy tuts. “But if you ever need to blow off some steam, I don’t care—as long as it’s Mick.”
“Oh, you won’t need to worry about me and Daddy .”
“I can’t believe I accidentally called him that.” His hearty laugh makes me feel lighter than I have in a while. “Old habits die hard.”
I hum in agreement. “I’m sure he misses you a hell of a lot more than he misses me.”
“Not a chance, babe.” He kisses the top of my head before releasing me. “Come on. Let’s get out there. The polls are closing soon, and I’m sure we could convince a few more people to vote for me today.”
Andy leads us out of the room, hand in hand, and the moment Mickey spots me, his eyes darken.
The small, subtle flare of his nostrils sets my entire body on fire.
Between Mickey’s declarations and the buzzing of a few dozen volunteers manning the phones, I’ve never felt so alive.
Andrew leaves me to talk to Kristin, and with less than half an hour left, there’s no time like the present.
I slide into one of the small booths of a volunteer on break, and scan the call log—they left off on Gertrude Harris.
I pick up the phone, and a thrill runs through me as I press each number into the keypad.
It’s been ages since I’ve been part of something bigger than myself, and the moment the phone rings, my stomach swoops.
“Hello?”
“Hello, hi, this is Evelyn Adams, calling on behalf of your?—”
“It’s a damn recording again,” she hollers to someone in the background.
“No, ma’am, I’m not a recording,” I assure her. “My husband is running for reelection, and I wanted to reach out to see if we could count on your vote.”
She pauses for a moment, then laughs to herself. “Honey, I voted for his opponent by mail a week ago. You’re wasting your time.”
I understand the sentiment, but talking to his constituents is never a waste of my time. I lower my voice, praying to all of the deities no one around me hears. “Don’t tell my husband I said this, but they are both incredible candidates. Maryland will be in good hands no matter who wins tonight.”
“You really aren’t one of those robots!” she gasps, and I can’t help my smile.
“No, ma’am, I’m not. The polls close soon, so we’re reaching out to residents to remind them their votes matter.”
“I can’t believe I’m speaking to the wife of our Senator! I’m sorry I thought you were a robot before. You know, I don’t think my husband mailed in his ballot. I’d take him to drop his off, but this weather is wretched.”
Wretched? I glance outside and it’s barely sprinkling…
She continues, “I liked what that Yates woman was blabbering on about the price of prescription medication being too high, and truth be told, I didn’t think your husband gave a damn about us.”
It hurts my heart to hear, but Andy hasn’t been polling well with suburban women.
I’m in part to blame—I should’ve been leading book clubs or knitting circles, anything to bring in votes for Andrew.
“Well, no matter who wins, I hope you continue to have the same spirit in holding elected officials accountable. We need more women like you.”
“One second, hun.” She pauses for a moment, then shouts away from the phone, “Bert, wake up! You didn’t mail in your ballot, did you? Get your ass off the damn couch. We have thirty minutes to drop it off… Yes! Sign and seal it!”
“Ma’am, is everything okay?”
“Yes, dear, everything’s fine. I’m trying to ensure my husband does his fu—” She clears her throat. “Does his job . I don’t care who he votes for, so long as he votes.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I chuckle, my heart feeling lighter with every second I speak to her.
“Have you ever sat outside in a rainstorm, Ms. Adams?”
The question takes me by surprise. “No, I can’t say that I have.”
“You’re a good woman calling me in the last hour before the polls close to help your husband.
But it means the man representing my state doesn’t have faith that he’ll win.
” She’s not entirely wrong, and I’m unsure what to say.
“Be careful out there—a storm’s a-brewin’.
When life gets hard, stand outside in a rainstorm, and let Mother Nature handle the rest.”
Either this woman is a witch, or she’s onto something. Today has been a whirlwind, and the election isn’t entirely to blame. Regardless, her husband statistically should be a vote for Andy. “So… let the water wash away our sins?” I dare to ask, unsure where she’s going with her advice.
“No, dear. Let the water bring you peace… clarity. The answer is always right in front of you.”
Without another word, she hangs up. My weather app shows it’s clear, and I chuckle at the eccentric woman’s premonition. The levity is cut short as Mickey’s caramel-smooth timbre purrs beside my ear, “What are you doing, angel?”
With him this close, my voice comes out squeaky. “Trying to call a few more voters before the polls close.”
“We have volunteers for that, you know.”
“I do.” After the call with the witchy woman and my conversation with Andrew, part of me wants to see what Mickey thinks about having a secret affair. Unable to help myself, I pivot to face him. “What are you doing later?”
“Once we secure the states we need, I’m getting a good night’s sleep. Why?”
As I’m about to answer, thunder booms overhead, followed by a heavy shower of rain pelting the roof. I gasp and leap out of my seat to rush outside. Gertrude is definitely some sort of witch. Though if she had stayed on the phone, she may have tried to sell me a supplement or moon water.
Once I’m out in the elements, I let the rain soak my hair and clothes. Mick follows but after a moment insists, “You should come back inside.”
“I should,” I agree, not moving an inch.
“It’s cold and thunderin’, love. Come inside.”
“It’s safe. The thunder was seven seconds after the flash, Mick.” With nothing other than an elderly woman’s premonition as motivation, I step farther into the rain, arms wide as I let it give me what was promised. “Join me in finding… clarity.”
He closes the distance, but I still don’t move. “I don’t need a storm to find clarity.”
Mickey brushes the fresh droplets off my cheek, then leans in, our lips a breath apart. He doesn’t budge—neither do I. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want him. I can’t rationalize it. Something happened the night we spent together and it forever changed me.
Still, if anyone ever found out, the past year will have been for nothing.
“I’m sorry. We can’t…”
“I know, angel. But I hope you know, I’ll always be yours.”