Page 40 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)
Evelyn
FOUR MONTHS LATER
“ I ’m already fucking huge,” I huff, struggling with my new pregnancy leggings.
“You’re not! You’re gorgeous,” Ileah coos. “But you’re only halfway to the finish line, so you better get used to it.”
“Thanks for the reminder. What time is the reservation?”
“We’re running late, but it’d only take one little text to one of the Gallagher brothers and they’d shut down the whole restaurant for us.”
“Damn it! Don’t call in the cavalry. I’ve been dying to try this place for weeks. The last thing I want is to ruin our girlfriend time with a grumpy Irishman.”
“Okay,” she chuckles, hands lifted in surrender. “I’ll text Jaclyn. She can meet us there instead of us picking her up.”
I quickly slip on a pair of flats and check my makeup in the mirror, then we’re out the door.
Thankfully, we’re only five minutes late, and my driver, Carl, announces, “Let me know five minutes before you’d like to leave and I’ll pull the car around.
” As much as I hate being chauffeured, finding parking around here is always a nightmare, and I appreciate not having to walk six blocks.
We enter the new Italian restaurant and are quickly seated without issue.
Every table we walk past smells amazing, making my mouth water.
Kristin and Jaclyn are running a little behind, so we order bruschetta to hold us over.
I’d love a glass of wine or a gin and tonic, but that won’t be happening for a very long time.
Ileah keeps glancing at the bar and I follow her line of sight.
Nothing seems out of the ordinary—two women chatting, an older man reading a book, and a woman with a man in a black suit whispering.
Our server arrives with water and our appetizer, and once she’s gone, Ileah asks quietly, “Does that woman look familiar?”
“Our server? Not really. Maybe she used to work at a different restaurant.”
“No, the woman at the bar with the bodyguard-looking guy.”
I squint, but can’t make out her features from this far away. “Not really.” She sips her water but doesn’t take her eyes off the woman. “Want me to go say hello and introduce myself?”
“No,” she laughs softly. “I recognize her, but can’t place where I know her from.”
I shrug and take a large piece of bruschetta, then slice it in half on my bread plate. “I should make a sourdough baguette next weekend,” I muse, mostly to myself. After a hearty bite, I wipe my mouth and ask, “How is polling looking in Sussex County?”
“Not great. Kristin is confident we can flip it, but I’m not so sure.” She’s about to say something else, but her eyes light up and a smile I haven’t seen in a while splits her face. “Jaclyn!”
Glancing behind me, she’s practically sprinting toward us, with Kristin not attempting to keep up. I slide out of the booth and wrap Jaclyn in a tight hug before she takes a seat next to Ileah.
Kristen sits next to me and groans, “Parking was a nightmare.”
“I’m sorry,” I wince. “We should’ve picked you up, but I was running behind and worried we’d lose our table.”
“It’s fine, but I’m ordering a whiskey, and your boyfriend can figure out how to get my car home.”
Eyes wide, I freeze. Jaclyn and Ileah wear a similar expression, and I quickly laugh it off. “She’s kidding. We just joke that I, um, have a fictional boyfriend who pays for everything. Inside joke.”
“Fictional… right,” Ileah snickers.
“Yep! You know how I always say that a fictional man beats a real one anytime.” I double down, words spilling before I can stop them. “No man beats a fictional one. The way I’d vote for a fictional man for Congress over any of those assholes… Not that you two are assholes!”
Ileah pins me with a glare. “The babies aren’t Andrew’s, are they?”
“Pfft, what? Yes they are,” I lie, though it tastes bitter on my tongue. “What are you talking about?”
“My money’s on them being Mickey’s,” Ileah whispers, and I glance around to ensure no one is within earshot. “I lived in your house for months. I had a feeling he was still hooking up with Andrew, but you too?”
I take three long gulps of water to buy time. “It’s not like that.”
“Are they his?” Jaclyn asks softly.
“Yes,” I concede, and Kristin reaches for my hand under the table.
Jaclyn checks again for eavesdroppers. “How long have you guys… um…”
“Been fucking?” Kristin laughs, and I squeeze her hand tighter. “What?” We’re all adults here.”
“Since before Andrew and I were married.” I take a deep breath. “Andy and I… we’re not in love and never have been. Mickey though? He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Jaclyn keeps her voice low but stern. “The Gallaghers are dangerous.”
“He’s not,” I insist, a little too quickly. I’m tempted to throw Ileah under the bus about Finn, but keep it to myself. “I love Mickey. I always have. He protects the people he loves.”
“You mean kills for them,” Kristin snort-laughs, and I smack her thigh. “Oh, come on. These two are well aware of what the Gallaghers are capable of.”
I lean in and there’s a distinct woodsy scent coming off her, with a hint of something sweet—like cherry and orange. “Are you drunk?”
“I may be a little lit,” she admits with a shrug.
“It’s not even noon!”
“Sorry,” Jaclyn winces. “We had Old Fashioneds before we left. I only had one, but Kristin and Alex— Chris— had two each.”
“Fuck it.” Ileah raises her hand to get our server’s attention. When they come over, she asks, “May I have a gimlet, please?”
“Of course. Would anyone else like a drink?”
“I’ll have an Old Fashioned with extra cherries,” Jaclyn adds. “We’re celebrating.”
“Make that two,” Kristin chimes in, and I slink lower in the booth in defeat.
“Anything for you, miss?”
“Water is fine,” I grumble, hand poised on my belly.
She scurries off with our drink order, and Ileah leans forward to whisper, “I don’t blame you. I’m woman enough to admit Mickey is fucking hot. You’ll have beautiful kids.”
“And tall ones,” Kristin giggles. “There’s no way you’ll make it to term with two giant babies inside you.”
“Speaking of, can I come to the ultrasound later?” Ileah asks, reaching for a piece of bruschetta.
“Oh, um, well… Mickey will be there.”
She reminds, “Cat’s out of the bag. Why don’t we all go?”
“Maybe the next one? We’re supposed to find out the genders, and I want it to be special—just the two of us.”
Jaclyn’s face falls. “Will you at least text us as soon as you know?”
“Of course!” I reach across the table for her hand. “You’ll all be the first.”
Kristin rests her head on my shoulder and sighs wistfully. “I hope you have one of each.”
“Honestly, I don’t care if they are boys, girls, one of each, or if they grow up to identify as neither. But… I’m scared.” My gaze bounces between the three of them. “What if I’m a shitty mom?”
“Because of what you just said is why you’re going to be an amazing mom,” Ileah insists, covering Jaclyn’s and my joined hands. “You’re going to love them with your whole heart. Plus you have us, Andrew, Mickey, Christopher , and… Finn.”
My nose scrunches at the mention of Chris, making all of us laugh. “I’m never going to get used to calling him that,” I chuckle.
“She’s right though. You have a village, Evie,” Kristin sighs. She’s most definitely buzzed. I can’t remember the last time she let loose, and it’s about time.
Our drinks arrive and we order three dishes to share—pesto fettuccine, vegetarian pizza, and mushroom ravioli with a butter and sage sauce.
The girls catch me up on legislation they’re hoping to pass, and embarrassment washes over me.
I’ve been out of the game for too long, and neither Mickey or Andy talk about current bills when they’re home.
Sadly, I zone out for most of the chatter with nods and hums of agreement until our food arrives.
Once these babies are born, I’ll need to figure out a work-life balance and get back to lobbying or start a non-profit like Mick suggested. I’m capable of so much more than I’ve been doing the past decade. It’s about time I stop watching everyone else live their dreams while I push mine aside.
Jaclyn excuses herself to use the bathroom, and I can’t help asking Ileah, “Is there any way you’ll forgive Finn for what he did?
” She pauses, fork midair, then sets it down.
Careful with my wording, I clarify, “What he did was unforgivable, but I hate that one of my closest friends holds any hate in her heart.”
“I love him; I always have. But I’m done with men making decisions for me,” she replies with a sharpness I’m not accustomed to, and I idly wrap fettuccine around my fork.
“Wait…” Kristin glances between us. “Does Jaclyn not know about Finn?”
Ileah shuts her eyes tight and she lowers her gaze. “No.” When her eyes meet mine, tears pool in them. “She’d judge me.”
“No, Lee, she wouldn’t.” I slide out of my side of the booth and sit next to her, wrapping my arms tightly around her shoulders.
“Jaclyn fell for her fiancé’s twin brother.
If she wants to judge you, she’ll need to look in the damn mirror.
I know in my heart Finn never stopped loving you, so if you still want him, let him grovel.
Jaclyn will understand, just give her time. ”
Kristin clears her throat. “Not to be the bearer of bad news, but you can’t date Finn—or anyone—at least not right now.
You’ll need to get through the next election cycle.
You got lucky running unopposed in the special election, but that won’t happen next time.
Evie’s right, Finn is in love with you, but you worked too hard to throw it away for a man with a huge cock. ”
“I never said it was huge,” Ileah laughs, sipping her gimlet as I release her hand.
“The man is at least six-four. There’s no way he’s not packing something massive in his pants.”
“Kristin!” I hiss.
She rolls her eyes as she takes a long drink. Little does she know, Andy would likely break her in half if given the chance. Being married to him is a blessing and a curse—and his dick is certainly not the curse.