Page 17 of Whiskey and Regret

“Yeah. You don’t seem like…”

“Navy?” I smirked knowingly. “I’m not like her. I’m the polar opposite. If Navy is daytime all sunny and clear. Then I’m nighttime. Uncertain and shadowy. I’m also all about bringing out the freaks.” I winked at him and he sighed heavily before shaking his head.

“We need to talk about the way you behave around Frankie. She loves your extroverted, outgoing personality but I see the potential for you to be a bad influence. If you’re going to be her nanny, you need to watch your mouth around her. Not just regarding curse words but the things you say period.”

“Oh my god, like what?”

“You’re all about bringing out the freaks?” He lifted an eyebrow and I laughed.

“I was talking to you though. Not Frankie. We’re two grown-ass adults.”

“You are twenty. I’m forty-three. Big difference.”

“We’re both grown like I said.”

“See, that’s the shit I’m talking about.”

I stopped grinning and turned the corners of my mouth down. I was impressed.

“Who knew the senator had a little fire in him?”

“You’re going to get under my skin. I can see that. Anyway, that’s what I’m talking about, Miss Lucas.” My name sounded like a starched collar coming from his lips. “When you’re around Frankie, you need to set an example. You can’t talk about freaks or snap at me like I’m your friend and not your boss. I expect you to have a professional attitude around both me and my daughter. It’s a part of your job description.”

“Will I get a copy of this job description?” I quizzed, angling my head to the side.

“Yes. Of course.”

“Good. God knows I wouldn’t want to ever step outside of my job description.” I laid the sarcasm on thick like whipped cream made from scratch. The cherry on top was my saccharine smile. I’m sure he knew it was bullshit. I could tell by the way his top lip curled. He really did have some nice lips. Too bad he had darling dick energy instead of devil dick like I needed. A girl could fantasize though.

…

SIX

“Senator Freeman, the arts funding bill is on your desk for review. Your vote is required by the end of the day. Also, the committee needs to meet with you to discuss bill 342.” Navy Lucas was nothing like her sister. She was pulled together and on top of everything. Sometimes I had no idea how she knew the things she knew, but she had a knack for finding things out. Navy was someone I needed to keep on my team. That’s why I hired her when my former assistant left after giving birth to a little boy.

“Thank you, Navy.”

“No problem. Um, can I ask how my sister did this morning? I’m sorry if I’m being intrusive but…”

“It’s fine,” I chuckled. “She did well. I let her pick Frankie up from school today as a trial run. If things go well, she’ll enter the one-month probationary period.”

A bright smile stretched across Navy’s light brown face. She looked like her sister but she didn’t have that spark I saw in Xari.

Looking at Xari Lucas was like looking through a peephole and seeing a fire. You knew once you opened the door…you’d be consumed. I wanted to stay locked behind my door looking at Miss Lucas through the limited view of my peephole.

“I know she’s a lot to take in at once but I promise she’s not that bad once you get to know her.” Navy clasped her hands in front of herself and smiled. “She didn’t do anything crazy, did she?”

“Besides her foul mouth and her need to get under my skin by challenging me? No. Nothing crazy. Now, what isyourdefinition of crazy as it concerns your sister? Is there anything else I need to know about?”

“Xari’s level of crazy fluctuates and it’s never the same from one week to the next. She’s super…emotional. Everything is tied to that. It’s like she has no filter.”

“I’ve noticed. Frankie likes her a lot. I’ve never seen her connect with anyone so easily.”

“I knew she would love Xari. I hope things work out.”

“Yeah, me too.” I watched Navy as she left my office and went into the hall. Apollo stood outside my door and she was the only reason he looked away from his phone. He trailed her for a few seconds until she got back to her desk, then went back to his phone.

When Navy first came to work for me a year ago, I thought there would be trouble with having a beautiful young woman as my assistant. Luckily, Navy was nothing short of an exemplary professional. Also, as beautiful as she was, Navy and I had no spark. I counted myself blessed because lord knows I have a soft spot for gorgeous, well-dressed women. That’s exactly why Xari was such a problem. Luckily, I was turned off by how young she was.