Page 42 of After We Fall

“Doesn’t mean Harlan and Meredith would invite them to their wedding celebration.” He raises his eyebrows.

My shoulders drop in defeat, and I confess, “Meredith makes me overshare.”

His lips twitch. “I can see how she might do that. How does that apply here?”

“Phillip and Cynthia were threatening to come into town for Christmas—a plan, I might add, that coincided with business for the senator. Meredith caught my emotional reaction to that news, which was . . . unpleasant. As a solution, she offered to invite them to the reception. It’s a way for me to have a public appearance with them as if it’s a personal holiday gathering and, by the way, happens to be a work event for me.”

He nods.

“So there won’t be much time to spend with them, seeing as how Phillip has to go home for a New Year’s Day event. He gets his publicity stunt with the adopted daughter he’s supposedly trying to bridge the gap with, and I get very limited interaction with him where he won’t risk confrontation. Win, win.” I sigh, thinking of how complicated that night will be, but how it’s also the best way to solve their unwanted family attention. “And then it will be over for a while.”

“Over for a while?”

“The senator has time to see me about once a year.”

“What did Harlan think?”

“He’s protective, so it was a harder sell, but when he realized it would make my life easier, he agreed.”

His eyes narrow. “Is that plan good with you?”

“I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them. Cynthia was a PR guru back in her day. There’s no telling what her motives are on any given day. But she’s the lesser of the two evils.” I sigh. “Every now and then I think she has a conscience. But I keep the peace because Jason needs them more than I do.”

It’s a precarious peace, one that holds on to the loyalty and love Jason has for me, and one that forgives the same loyalty and love he has for the Nelsons.

Luke gnashes his teeth, the muscles in his jaw bulging.

That can’t be good for his enamel, and for the first time since I met him, I want to hand him a stupid toothpick.

“You didn’t come track me down to learn about my past,” I say. “Did you need something?”

He smooths his tongue across his top teeth, something working behind his eyes. “Can’t someone talk to you without needing something?”

“Not usually,” I snap. “No.”

After studying me for a beat, he nods. “That’s probably right.”

“Well?”

A slow grin crosses his face. “I have something to show you.”

Glancing at the clock, I internally cringe at the time. I have the feeling that my to-do list is going to take a hit with whatever he has to show me.

But that grin. That grin is full of everything fun, free, and just a little bit mischievous. I exhale. Fine. For the grin, I will go see what he wants to show me.

After slipping my feet back into my heels, I only have to follow Luke a few feet down the hall to the living room.

At the sight in front of me, I open my mouth to say something, but nothing happens. Just like two nights ago, the furniture is moved to the walls. Only this time, a complete set of drums sits in the middle of the room on full display.

Luke turns to me, a gleam in his eyes. “What do you think?”

“What did you . . . Where did you . . .” Squeezing my eyes closed, I shake my head. After I gain control, I fire my gaze at him. “What is this?”

“It’s a drum kit.”

“I can see that, Luke.” I thrust a hand in the direction of the five drums and two cymbals. “Why did you do this?”

With subtle movements, his face softens, giving a hint of unexpected sweetness and vulnerability. “Now you can check one thing off your to-do list. It’s for Bianca.”