“Meg.” He grinned and met me on the sidewalk, kissing mycheek, though the look in his eyes suggested he would have liked to do more. “You are stunning, as usual.”
“Thank you. You are, too.”
“We’re a good-looking couple, aren’t we?” He laughed, spinning me around. “No wonder the cameras love us.”
I hadn’t thought about the gossip columns for a few days—not since the stir from the last set of pictures had died down. Photos of us kissing in the park had been everywhere—just as I suspected. Everyone had seen us lying on that picnic blanket. My parents had both called, elated to hear that we had taken our relationship to the next level, though I told them the pictures were misleading. I had tried to ignore all of the publicity, telling myself it wasn’t anyone’s business, but it wasn’t easy.
Seth hadn’t been upset about the pictures—not in the least. He told me it was part of the package deal of being a public servant.
But it was one more reason I needed a break from him. It was all too much, especially because I worried that he had set up the photographer. I didn’t have proof and I didn’t want to unjustly accuse him, but what were the odds a photographer happened to be there at the right time? Was Seth using me? Or just taking advantage of the situation?
He led me to his car, carefree. I held back, not ready to go.
“Can we talk?”
“Yeah.” His eyes shone with excitement. “But we’re going to be late, and I want to hear the Smithsonian Director speak. Can we talk later? Maybe take a stroll? I have a surprise for you.”
With a sigh, I nodded. Maybe it was a good idea to talk about it later. I didn’t know how Seth would take the news, and I didn’t want to ruin our evening before it got started.
The National Air and Space Museum was housed in an impressive two-story building on the south side of the National Mall. When we entered the museum, my eyes immediately rose to the high ceiling, where several important airplanes were suspended in the air. It was hard not to feel awed by the vast space of the building and the majestic aircraft that had advanced humankind’s quest to understand the world and universe around us.
The museum was closed to the public for the fundraiser, and we had a front-row seat to each of the exhibits. No lines, no crowds, and no school groups to contend with.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Seth said as we walked around the Wright Flyer, marveling at the thin struts and wires and canvas that launched man into the air. “If I lived in a different time period, I wouldn’t want to live during the Civil War. I think I’d like to be alive at the birth of aviation. I think I would have been an airplane fanatic.”
I could easily see Seth walking on wings, racing experimental aircraft across the ocean, and doing barrel rolls in a rickety airplane. He had that exciting, charismatic personality so many of those early aviators possessed.
After we enjoyed refreshments and listened to the Smithsonian Director talk about the past, present, and future of the institution, I was getting anxious to have my talk with Seth. I was about to suggest we take that walk he had promised when he said, “Want to get out of here? There’s an Italian restaurant close by that I’d like to take you to.”
I wasn’t very hungry, but maybe it would be easier to talk over a meal, so I nodded.
We left the museum, and Seth took my hand to lead me across the street and down the block. He was excited, his fingers entwined with mine, looking back at me with a grin. I frowned, wondering what he was up to. Then I remembered he had promised me a surprise. Was it waiting for us at therestaurant? Whatever it was, I hoped it wouldn’t make our conversation more awkward.
“We’re a little late,” he said, “but I don’t think they’ll mind.”
I pulled on his hand to stop him, but he was impatient and tugged me to keep going. “Who won’t mind?”
“You’ll see.” He winked at me and nodded to a restaurant down the block. “There it is. Come on.”
The restaurant looked really upscale—the kind that needed reservations weeks in advance. At least we wouldn’t be too out of place in our formal attire.
A delicious garlic and basil aroma met me the moment we entered the lobby. The restaurant was dimly lit with candles on the tables and the sound of tinkling laughter and conversation.
“There they are.” Seth nodded toward the dining area.
I looked in that direction but didn’t recognize anyone.
“It looks like our party has already arrived,” Seth said to the hostess. “Howard and Maribeth Wallace.”
Howard and Maribeth Wallace? Who—?
My breath froze as I realized who was sitting in the dining room.
Seth’s parents.
He still held my hand, so I pulled him back. “Seth, why are your parents here?”
“They wanted to meet you.” He grinned and kissed my cheek. “They flew all the way up from Charleston for this evening.”
