“I’m sorry to pull him away, folks,” Carl says from behind me, and I’m thankful for the save. “I hope you’ll be at our rally tomorrow downtown.”
“Oh, yes. We wouldn’t miss it,” a beautiful woman says before she and her friends break into a fit of laughter. “We love Jude.”
“Thank you,” I say and smile. “I look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow.” I try not to talk directly to the women, but to the entire crowd.
Carl’s been very strict about my interaction with female voters. I’m to be kind, smile a lot, but under no circumstances am I to appear to be flirting. I’m definitely not allowed to seem like I’m catering to the women in the crowds either.
Three hoursand a whole lot of carnival food later, I head back to the hotel. After calming Carl down when he realized we were at the same hotel again, I head straight for my room. By the time I’m on the fourth floor, I’m practically skipping down the hallway.
I check the numbers as I pass by, making sure her room is next to mine. I’m impatient and insert the keycard the wrong way, slamming into the door when I try to open it. “Damn it,” I whisper, turning the card in my hand.
When I finally make it inside, I resist the urge to knock on her door immediately. I need a shower. It was more humid than usual for this time of year, and my sweat mingled with greasy fried foods didn’t do me any favors.
I shower quicker than normal, not wanting to linger and worried Reagan will pass out from exhaustion. I slide on my favorite track pants and a tank even though I’d rather go shirtless. If someone were to see us, they’d think something else was going on. I can’t risk it.
I don’t want to give Reagan the wrong idea either. We need to talk tonight and nothing more. She gets me so worked up, but it’s not good for either of our careers.
A few spritzes of cologne later, I drag my hands through my hair and smooth it down. When I’m about to knock, I freeze. It’s only nine, and I wonder if Lexi’s in there, meeting with Reagan.
My ass finds the edge of the bed, and I grab my phone that I tossed there when I undressed.
Me: I’m back.
There’s not a reply right away, but I hear voices through the door. Quickly, I rise from the bed and rest my ear against the wood and hold my breath.
“I’m tired,” Reagan says and does an over-the-top yawn that I can hear.
“It’s late. You better turn in. We’re here for one more day, so you can relax a little bit. I’ll see you at breakfast, yeah?” Lexi asks.
“I’m going to work out in the morning. I’ll be down to breakfast around nine.”
I guess I’ll be up early for my workout too. I wouldn’t miss seeing her in her tight spandex and sports bra, especially if it’s between that and sleep.
“Perfect,” Lexi says, and then I hear Reagan’s door open and close.
I back away in case she opens it, and I sit on the edge of the bed to play it cool. I’m waiting, but nothing happens. Maybe she’s decided not to talk to me tonight. The thought alone has my stomach in knots.
Me: Can we please talk?
When the lock on our connecting door turns, I jump to my feet and tuck my hands in my pockets. I’m trying to play it cool like I haven’t been staring at the door, waiting for her to open it.
“Hey,” I say and smile.
“Hi.” The look on her face doesn’t say she’s as excited as I am, but she opened the door, and that means something.
“Do you want to come in?”
She nods and steps slowly into my room and looks around. “Hmm,” she mumbles with her lips closed.
“What?” I ask and follow her eyes.
“I thought it would be messier in here.”
I laugh and hold my stomach. “The military doesn’t allow for messiness. Some habits die hard.”
I’m mostly being honest. There are nights when I get to a hotel that I toss my clothes on the floor and don’t give a shit if the room is neat. I’m just too tired to care.
“Would you like a drink?” I’m being cordial and feeling her out. Things are tense between us—more tense than the night I kissed her.
