Page 8 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Andrew

M ickey and I have shared men and women dozens of times, and I’ve never felt insecure or jealous.

This is different. Mickey can have Evelyn—I don’t want her, at least not the same way he does.

I don’t want to lose my best friend because of a few orgasms. It’s not worth it, and there’s no sexual attraction or tension between us.

I love Evie more than I’ve loved anyone in my life, but it’s the love of two friends.

Nothing more. Even with as much as I love Mickey, if I ever have to choose between him and Evelyn, I’ll choose her happiness every time.

Kissing her was fun, but it didn’t have the same fire I’m used to with Mick—or anyone else I’ve been romantically involved with.

How are we going to make the world believe we’re in love?

We’ll be trapped in a contract marriage, and I’ll hate every minute of it.

So will she. The moment we’re able to, I need to divorce her… even if my career suffers.

The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind we’ve all been swept up in.

To be elected, I hate that I’ll make three people’s lives miserable.

Mick and I may only have stolen kisses, sneaking around like horny teenagers while I’m campaigning.

Evelyn won’t be able to openly date anyone; I’m stealing years from her.

Sure, she can sleep with Mickey, but will it be enough for her?

There’s also the matter of President Taylor wanting Mickey to marry his daughter, Jaclyn. If he does, hiding an affair from the Washington darling will be impossible, and wouldn’t be fair to her. I may have to give him up completely.

After checking in with Aisling about breakfast, I take a seat at the kitchen table with my laptop and comb through the research report.

The political issues I support aren’t a problem; voters are turned off by the fact that I’m single.

Alexander Blake is running for a seat in Texas but doesn’t have this problem—and he's running as an Independent in a red state. I’ve been painted as a young playboy, out of touch with the needs of Maryland families, all because my opponent has a wife and kids. It’s absolute bullshit.

I scroll my contacts until I find Alex’s number and press call . “Hey, buddy,” he answers on the third ring.

“Hey. I got the report. It’s… not looking good.”

“Shit,” he sighs. “What do you need to adjust?”

“I need to get married.”

“What?” He sputters a cough. “You’re fucking with me.”

I rake a hand through my hair and blow out a long, steady breath. “I told you about my opponent’s smear campaign. If I don’t get married, I’ll lose.”

“You haven’t been with Mickey for very long. Is it too soon to propose?”

“Yes, but also… One sec, let me send it to you.” I take a picture of my approval rating based on hypothetical spouses and send it to him. “There.”

“Fuck, Andy, this is… Wow. I’m so sorry, Andy. White, female, liberal, educated, unemployed. You need a fucking housewife with a master’s degree—a unicorn!”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “Last time I checked, Mick works and doesn’t have a pussy.”

“So, what are you going to do? Jump on the dating apps to find some rich woman with nothing better to do than marry you in the next two months?”

“Evie,” I admit, hating that I’m subjecting her to this—even if she insists she’s on board. “I’m going to marry Evelyn.”

“Are… are you serious? Don’t get me wrong, she’s gorgeous and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, but you can’t marry her. She’s a lobbyist.”

“Hey, baby,” Mick whispers beside my ear. He kisses my cheek and takes a seat next to me with his tablet. “Breakfast should be ready soon, but can you check on Evie first?”

“Sorry, Alex, can I call you back?”

“You drop a bomb on me that you’re going to marry your best friend and then bail?” he deadpans with a groan. “Fine. Yes. Call me later.”

We hang up, and I snap at Mick, “What happened? Did you take it too far?”

He nods, and I’m out of my seat in an instant, rushing to the spare bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest; I could be walking in on anything.

“Evie?” I cautiously open the door and make my way to her. Evelyn is under the covers; I slide in beside her. “Hey, what do you need?”

She tucks into my side like she did last night. “I’m okay.”

“What did he do?” A growl is stuck in my throat—I’ll never forgive Mick for hurting her.

“I just had the best sex of my life,” she whines through choked sobs. “That’s what he did.”

I breathe a sigh of relief and chuckle, “A few orgasms are not something to be upset about.”

“Yes, it is. It… it wasn’t just sex. I’m sorry, Andy.”

“What do you mean that it wasn’t just sex?”

“I understand why you’re with him.” Evie glances up at me, and I swipe her damp cheek with my thumb.

“For me, it’s like he permanently altered my DNA.

I was selfish and slept with your boyfriend.

And I… I like him. I’m so sorry. It was a mistake.

A mistake I promise I’ll never make again. I don’t expect you to forgive me?—”

“There’s nothing to forgive, babe. Last night he told me he wanted you, and I assumed you both could handle a night of no-strings-attached sex. I was wrong.” I swallow thickly, hating what I’m about to suggest. “I think we need to have Finn handle everything for my campaign moving forward.”

Evie sits up, eyes wide. “He killed a man.”

“Mickey and Finn don’t go around murdering people for sport. If he killed someone, they deserved it.”

“Okay,” she hedges. “Then why not have Mickey handle everything? You aren’t breaking up with him, right? Fuck, this is all my fault!”

I huff a laugh with a shake of my head. “I wasn’t planning on it.

But maybe I should put my relationship on hold while you and I are married.

We can both be celibate for two years. Or, if you’re desperate, we can get really drunk and I’ll pity-fuck you.

” The joke earns me a small laugh and a smirk.

“I love you, Evie. You’re not just a friend—you’re like family.

If you’re stuck being a dutiful spouse for a few years, it’s only fair that I do the same. ”

“No, that’s not fair to anyone. He loves you.”

Even knowing in my soul that Mickey loves me, I can’t allow my best friend to hurt every time she sees me with him.

He’s an amazing man, but as much as I hate to admit it, I’m not sure he’s who I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with.

It’s only a matter of time before he realizes we want different things.

If anything, Evelyn and Mickey would have a better chance together in this chaotic world of love and politics.

“He does,” I admit carefully. “And I love him. But when I imagine my life in fifty years, it’s you and me at brunch, gossiping about the amazing sex we had the night before or the latest scandals in Washington.” I take her hand and bring her knuckles to my lips. “You are my priority, Evie.”

“You shouldn’t have to choose. I’m so sorry I took things too far this morning.”

“You didn’t take anything too far. You did something that feels natural to me.

To be clear, Mickey and I aren’t in an open relationship, but we share partners often.

This morning was the first time he slept with someone and I wasn’t there for it.

If you want to have a relationship with him, I don’t mind… because it’s you.”

“It’s a really bad idea. He’s someone I could fall for. Mick said some really sweet things, but I’m sure it was just sex for him, and it was just the orgasm afterglow talking.”

“Are you sure about that?” I playfully smack her ass, making her chuckle. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. He’d be an idiot to not want you. But what do you want?”

“He doesn’t want me,” she scoffs. “Even if he did, you and I have to pretend to be a happily married couple soon. Maybe you’re right and neither of us should be sleeping with anyone else.”

I let out a deep sigh. “Come here.” Evie moves to straddle me, hugging me with her whole body. “Whatever you want to do, I’m in. I love you.”

“I love you too, Andy. I’m sorry?—”

“No more apologies. You and me? We’re going to be okay.

We always have been and always will be.” I brush her hair off her shoulder, then trace lazy circles on her back.

“You earned your seat at the table, worked harder than anyone I know to make the world a better place. When this is over, I’m going to make sure you get your happily ever after—whatever that looks like for you. ”

It’s only a few years. What’s the worst that could happen?