And I liked it. I caught Grady’s eyes on me, and scowled at the shit-eating grin on his face.Dammit. I’d better brush up on my poker face.
“I just wanted to say hello. I have a mediation to prep for, so I’ll see you later.”
“Lunch?” I called out.
“Can’t,” he answered with regret. “I have depositions downtown. Dinner?”
“Of course.”
Brenner left, and Grady clapped. “I’m impressed. That was a master class in how to have a mature relationship with someone you work with.”
“Oh, be quiet. Don’t you have work to do?”
“Yeah, but this is more fun.” He snickered, and I flipped him off. “Since your man is busy for lunch, how about me? I don’t mind being second string.”
“Deal.”
Grady left, and I sipped my coffee, grateful for a light Monday. My personal cell rang, and it was Isobel. I rolled my eyes in anticipation of a third, fourth, and fifth degree.
“Hello, Izzy.”
“Hello to you too.” She sounded amused. “When were you going to tell me?”
I scrolled through my emails. “Tell you what, and isn’t it early for you? Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“I’m in DC for a conference, and the tongues are all abuzz about your father’s campaign. And you.”
I frowned. “You know I have nothing to do with him.”
“That may be true, but everything you do affects him. Never mind that. A man? Since when?”
“I don’t know, Izzy. It just happened.” Frustrated, I tossed the pen I was holding across the desk. “I’m kind of getting sick and tired of having to explain it. Even to you. It’s really no one’s business whom I date or why.”
“Don’t bite my head off. I’m on your side. Have you been getting pushback from the firm? Only because you work together. I can’t imagine Daniel Roth would care. He’s a reasonable man.”
“It’s only been out a week. He and I had a decent talk, and it should be okay. As for how my father will handle it, I neither know nor care.”
Not exactly true. A small, vindictive part of me wanted it to hurt him, but I kept that to myself. It had nothing to do with my relationship with Brenner.
“I didn’t call you just to gossip. I’m your friend, and I wanted to let you know I’m here to support you.”
“Thank you. I didn’t realize it would be such a big deal news-wise, but I suppose I was being naïve.”
“Um, come on, West. The leading candidate for president’s son starts dating a man during his campaign, and you don’t think it’s news? Especially since his party’s platform isn’t exactly welcoming.”
“I guess, but it shouldn’t be that way. And even if my father and I were on good terms, my life shouldn’t have any bearing on his candidacy.”
“Everything everyone in his life does reflects on him. Even if you’re estranged. Now tell me about Brenner. From what the papers have dug up, he works with you and was a foster child growing up?”
I tensed, hating how Brenner’s life became gossip fodder simply by association with me. “I’d rather not get into it. He’s a very private person, and his life shouldn’t be put under a microscope.”
She laughed. “You really are a Boy Scout. Listen, honey. I know the way this town works. Things can get very ugly. You should be prepared.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. I’d better get to work.”
“Talk to you soon.”
That conversation stuck with me throughout the morning as I handled a couple of client calls. In the halls, some people gave me the odd stare, and I caught a few smiles and whispers, but I ignored them. These people weren’t my friends.
