Page 132 of Beautifully Ruined

My heart starts to thump.

Me:Maybe I like how you punish.

Cade:Are you going to tell me?

I could.There’s no reason not to.

But there is, isn’t there?

If he tracks me, it’s hotter, somehow, like I’ve got my own stalker.

I can track him, too, but I smile at my phone and text him back.

Me:I think I’ll make you work for it.

Cade:Be careful.

I sigh,trying to get my heart under control.

He can set it fluttering in moments and the ‘be careful’ is a soft type of love language, his caring, his tracking me, all of it love language. All of it an I love you without those words.

And I know I’ve got it bad.

Finally, I start to close down my computer and finish stamping the letters I need to post. These are ones Walsh wants sent with an actual stamp, because, he says, it’s a subtle way of showing a personal touch to these people.

“Are you ready?” Macy asks.

“Sure. I’m one hundred percent ready to grab a drink and get to know you.”

We walk together to the wine bar. There are business people in there, but it’s early enough that the after-work crowd hasn’t descended en masse. So, it’s easy for us to find a table.

Macy orders a white Burgundy. “It’s delicious, you should have one.”

It’s also twenty dollars a glass. I shake my head.

“I’m good with the Pinot Grigio.” I stick to white wine with her. “I’m not really knowledgeable on wine so pricy stuff is lost on me.”

She just shakes her head and says to the waitress. “Make it two. On me.”

We sit and wait for our wine, making small talk as we dance around the elephant in the wine bar.

I tell her about my studies and my dreams and how I’m excited to work for the congressman.

“It’s a good job.” She puts her card down as the waitress comes back with the wine.

I take a sip when Macy does.

“Great, isn’t it?”

“Delicious.” Honestly, it just tastes like nice wine to me, but I want to put her at ease.

“It’s my favorite.” She pauses. “I think this is a good place to learn a lot about the business of politics, with the congressman. I don’t even mean him. Politicians are politicians. But I mean hisstaff. You have no idea how many other politicians try to poach them. Some move on but talk with them and most will say it’s about finding the right fit for you, not the one who’ll climb the ladder the fastest or highest.”

“I’ve heard that’s what most of the best say, though they usually get to the top.”

“Because they’re behind it.”

Macy takes a swallow of her drink and turns the glass a little, looking for all the world like I’m about to out her.