Page 39 of Something Just Like This

Mia chewed on her bottom lip. “Can it be spun?”

“No, it’s obvious we’re intimate.”

“Then we go big. Blow it up ourselves. Shout it to the world. You don’t want to be in the literal closet anymore, Jonathan. I say we take the risk, and you both tell the public to stick it. I just got off the phone with Bob, and he agrees completely.”

He sank into the chair beside her. “That’s a pretty big risk, Mia. I don’t know if Alyssa is ready for something like this so soon.” He muttered a curse. “Damnit, if I only had more time. We had a plan.”

“Well, in politics and social media, we always need a plan A, B, and C. When does it run?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“With a story? Did you give her a comment?”

“No.”

“Good. We’ll do our own piece.”

“Mia, I don’t know if this is going to work.”

“I’m a master, I thought you had more faith in me. And no one screws with Bob, he’s a magician.”

He shook his head. “Not you or Bob. Alyssa. I don’t know if she can handle this with me.”

The words made his gut clench, but admitting his fear to Mia eased some of the tension. She gave a sigh and reached over, taking his hand. “I get it. I had a talk with her yesterday because it was obvious you two were gaga over each other. It’s not an easy life you’re offering, Jonathan, but I think with you at her side, she can handle anything. She’s stronger than she thinks.”

He gave a half-laugh. “You can’t help who you love, can you?”

Her face softened. “Nope. But that’s why life is never boring. It gives us these tiny surprises that make all the hard stuff worth it.”

“She’s worth everything.”

She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. “I bet she feels the same way about you. Why don’t you go find out?”

He nodded, then went to find Alyssa.

“You’re in love with my dad?”

Her heart beat frantically against her chest, but Alyssa held her gaze. She prayed the slight shock would pass and be replaced by happiness, but she had to prepare for the worst. Chloe had lost her mother—the great love of her life—and she might still be possessive over sharing Jonathan with anyone.

But Alyssa knew she had one course left. She loved the man with her heart and soul, and his passion was politics. So was hers. She could stop being so damn afraid and step into the spotlight, standing beside him, or she could break it off and scramble back to her hiding place.

She was tired of being alone. This weekend had taught her about family and friends and how relationships made her feel strong. Why should she settle for anything less than a great love—no matter what the obstacles?

“Yeah, I am. I have been for a while, but it took me time to come to terms. Plus, it was confusing because we were working together, and your dad and I always respected our professional relationship. He was going to tell you, but I feel woman to woman, you deserve to know how I feel directly from me.”

She didn’t want to overstep, but it was important for Chloe to hear it from her.

A gamut of emotions flickered over the young girl’s face. Then a slow smile spread across her lips, and she let out a sound of joy. “I knew it! Dad always acted different with you, and he’s been so stubborn about dating, I should have suspected. I’m so happy, Alyssa. I couldn’t have found someone better for Dad to love.”

Emotion choked her throat as Chloe hugged her, and tears burned her eyes. Sweet relief poured through her body. “Thank you,” she whispered. “That means everything to me. I’m pretty much just as crazy about you.”

Chloe laughed and wiped at her eyes. “Ditto. What are you going to do? Announce it to the press? Keep it quiet for a while?”

She sighed. “Your dad just found out a picture was taken of us on the farm. I think it’s going to be leaked to the press.”

“What? Damn those vultures. We had a tight team trying to keep this weekend private!”

“I know, but this is something we’ll be struggling with, especially when he becomes governor. We just have to deal with it.”