Page 3 of Something Just Like This

two

Things were getting worse.

Alyssa poured the wine to well over her usual quarter-glass and curled up on the comfy white lounge chair. She ignored the remote and switched her cell to silent. Even the fresh stack of books beside her, spines ramrod straight, pages crisp and untouched, couldn’t tempt her. Right now, she just wanted to rest in the quiet of her apartment and go over the day’s shocking events.

He was going to be governor.

Pride rippled through her, along with a longing that was beginning to peek through her solidly built walls. She had no doubt he’d win. Jonathan Lake was the perfect trifecta in the voting world—looks, charisma, and heart. She didn’t respect many politicians and rarely offered her skillset to anyone she didn’t admire. With her ruthless organization skills and the need to remain hidden from the spotlight, she’d worked with high-profile lawyers, government officials, and television producers. But when she’d heard that Lake was desperate for a trained assistant, she’d taken the leap for an interview.

Alyssa shivered and took a bigger gulp of wine. God, the man was all sexiness and heat—from his smooth, velvety voice to his lean, pantherlike body clothed in power suits. The thick, coal-black hair, chiseled jaw, and piercing blue eyes could hold the attention of any person, whether man or woman. His energy sizzled and practically lit up the room with intensity. But Alyssa had been prepared. She was used to charm and good looks. She’d grown up in the performance world, where egos and physical attributes usually outweighed kindness and the actual desire to help others. She’d never expected to like Jonathan or take the job.

Wrong on both counts.

He’d interviewed her with a cool ruthlessness she admired, trying to unearth every foible and weakness to carefully judge if she was good enough to work for him. She’d expected a touch of chauvinism and the easy, flirty manner of most attractive men in power.

Not him. It was obvious that the man wanted nothing to do with her on that level, and even if he did, she doubted he had the time. He’d offered her the job on the spot, and she’d taken it, sensing it was the right move for both of them.

That had been just over two years ago. How had she gotten into this mess? When had she begun to fall for the mayor of New York City—her boss?

A groan escaped her lips. If only she were able to pinpoint when mutual respect had turned. When she suddenly looked at him, exhausted from twelve-hour days, and saw a man she wanted to touch rather than the mayor she wanted to help. She was stringent about keeping her bodily reactions in check, and an expert at masking any type of emotion so he’d never know.

But she did, and it was humiliating. She was hot for him. Dreamt a million fantasies of office sex on his desk, even the clichéd ones where he pushed everything to the floor and ravaged her right there on the hard, unyielding wood. Why did she have to be so damn unoriginal?

On cue, her phone vibrated. Of course, it was probably him. He always texted when she was vulnerable. Alone in her big, empty apartment, thinking of him naked.

She steeled herself and grabbed her cell, then found it was much worse. The man had not only mesmerized her when she’d believed herself invincible to his charm, but he’d also managed to up the stakes.

He’d gotten her to fall in love with his daughter.

Alyssa tapped the button. “Hi, Chloe. How are you?”

“Oh, my God, I heard the news. I cannot believe he’s running for governor. Alyssa, do you think it’s too soon? He said he always wanted at least two terms as mayor, and now he’ll be thrown into another election. I’m worried.”

“Well, I assume you talked about the options at length with him, but I believe it’s an opportunity he can’t pass up.”

A sigh came over the phone. “I know. It’s just a lot more pressure and longer hours.”

Alyssa heard the hesitation in Chloe’s voice. “Are you worried about what happened before?” she asked gently.

“A little. I mean, I know we’re better now. I’m no longer a college student, pissed off and vandalizing cars for attention,” she joked. “But what if he gets too wrapped up in the voting results again? He was stressed and unhappy, Alyssa. And since my mom, he hasn’t focused on anything but his career. It’s not good for him.”

Alyssa’s heart squeezed. The past two years, she’d gotten to know Chloe, both from her father’s stories and her own personal experience with the girl. She was a younger, female version of Jonathan with gorgeous black hair, beautiful blue eyes, and an enthusiastic personality and energy that swept through the room like a tidal wave. She’d graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a business degree, then began working with a local organization to advocate for stronger anti-cruelty laws for animals. Her passion for public service was evident in her job and her volunteer work with animal rescue farms in the county. The two of them were like a dynamic duo, ready to rule the world. But with that commitment for change came the tendency to get so wrapped up in the mechanics one lost sight of the true goal.

Still, she believed what she’d told Jonathan. They were both older and stronger now, and Alyssa knew he’d handle things better this time around. “If your father goes off course, you’ll set him straight. He can’t push you around like before. I won’t let him.”

Chloe laughed. “If anyone can handle Dad, it’s you. Just make sure you let me know if he needs an intervention. When does the announcement go live?”

“Next week. If we do a press conference on Tuesday, can you attend? He’d love to have you by his side.”

“I’ll make it work.”

“Great, he’ll be happy.” They chatted a bit more about casual topics, then said goodbye. Alyssa finished her wine, savoring the silence, and wondered if she should get a cat. Maybe another presence in her life other than Jonathan and his daughter would help. Cats were independent, right? With her crazy work schedule, she’d never believed it was fair to bring an animal here. But a distraction might be needed, along with an excuse to retreat during those late-night war sessions he planned too much. She was always vulnerable then. Watching him plow his fingers through his mussed hair, his tie and jacket shed, his eyes crinkling with weariness in his need to save the city. How many times had she fought the urge to cross the room and cradle him in her arms? To soothe and comfort and be close?

It was dangerous for both of them. She had to get herself under control, or she’d be forced to make a heartbreaking decision.

She’d have to quit and leave forever.

Alyssa dragged in a breath and placed her lone glass in the sink. The only sound was the hum of the air conditioner. She padded on bare feet toward her bedroom, wondering when the silence had changed from comforting to lonely.