Her Aunt responded assuredly.
“Quite frankly, no. Young blood is needed.We’ve had one pompous ass after another using that office as astepping stone to the White House, Walt MacDonald excluded, ofcourse. He’s a good man and has made some monumental changes duringhis term. We need another man like him, who cares about this State,and its people.
I believe Bryan is just that man. This isn’tconjecture, dear. If Bryan’s death penalty bill becomes law, itwill be a vital ticket to the Governor’s mansion. Mark my word. Wewill see that happen.”
The certainty of it all, was a little hard todigest. Just to think the job she would beginning shortly couldlead straight to the Governor’s office, was a little unsettling, tosay the least. She swallowed nervously and reached for her coffeecup, emptying it of its contents.
“Don’t let Bryan’s good looks fool you,Jessica,” her Aunt continued. “Behind that handsome exterior, liesthe mind of a felicitous young man. He’s attained many honors inhis thirty years. He’s a Master in self-defense and weaponry, candebate the best of them on the Senate floor, graduated Cum Laudefrom George Washington University, is bilingual in Spanish, whichmakes him appealing to a very large minority; and, he was awarded aMedal of Valor from his stint with the Marine Corp’s SpecialOperations Command. The young man is one hell of a catch.”
They were so engrossed in conversation, theynot only lost track of time, but completely unaware that theirlunch guest was standing at the threshold between the back parlorand patio.
“Who’s one hell of a catch?” Bryan asked,scaring them both out of their wits.
Florence popped to her feet with a startedyelp.
“Oh! Dear me. You startled us.” She moved togreet him with open arms. “Don’t you know it isn’t proper to listenin on a lady’s conversation,” she scolded, as she hugged himtightly, “especially when one is talking about you,” she whisperedsoftly in his ear.
“I hope it was good,” he whispered back,before placing an affectionate kiss upon her cheek.
“I’m afraid that Jessica and I have beenlanguishing here and so enthralled in catching up, that we clearlylet time slip away from us. We truly didn’t mean to greet you,still sitting in our loungewear.” She apologized, as they madetheir way back towards Jessica.
He raised his palms to emphasize his point.“Please, don’t change on my account. Very seldom do I have thechance to luncheon with two ravishing beauties poolside.” Hedirected his attention Jessica’s way and nodded. “Hello Jessica.It’s good to see you again.”
Jessica smiled warmly and nodded. “Hello,Senator. Good to see you as well.”
She couldn’t stop the fluttering playinghavoc with the pit of her stomach, as she gazed up at him. He waseven more striking in the bright light of day. The color of hiseyes were magnetizing and she forced herself to look away, as shepointed in the direction of an empty chair.
“Please, have a seat.”
“I will,” he acknowledged, “if you promise tocall me Bryan when we’re not out in the public eye.”
Like a gentleman, he pulled out the chairFlorence had been occupying, but she waved the action off.
“Sit dear.”
Clora entered, just as he took a seat toJessica’s right, and nodded his thanks, when she handed him a glassof iced tea.
Florence nodded and continued. “If you twoyoung souls will excuse me, I think I’ll go change.”
Bryan attempted to rise, but Florence placedher hand upon his shoulder, to stop him.
“Please don’t change on my account,Florence.”
“Hush now.” Florence replied. “I’m getting alittle stiff and need to work the kinks out. I’ll be back downshortly. Enjoy this beautiful Autumn day,” she answered and quicklydeparted.
His face took on a more serious look, as hegazed at her, and Jessica had an idea where the conversation wouldturn. She stopped him before he got a change to speak.
“You don’t need to say anything, Bryan. Itwasn’t your fault, that your fiancé had too much to drink lastnight. Really, it’s alright.”
He plainly did not agree, as he replied in anadamant tone.
“Well, it’s not and; we’re no longer acouple.”
It was no surprise to hear that, after whatshe witnessed, once she left the both of them. She didn’t want himto know that though and replied accordingly.
“Oh, Bryan. I truly am sorry to hearthat.”
He shook his head, as though the decision didnot weigh heavily on his mind.
