BARRETT

After a week of sunshine and relaxation at Martha’s Vineyard, a doctor cleared Addison to return to the campaign trail. Although it felt great being back on the Niña, I kind of missed having time with just Addison. Although the weather had been chilly, we’d had several days of bright sunshine. We took a few short walks on the beach every day with Ty giving us plenty of distance, but mainly we just holed up in the house, watching movies or Addison reading while I worked. All too soon, it was time to get back to reality.

Dad still had a few votes to gain before clinching the nomination. He was unstoppable in the following weeks, crushing primary after primary. Finally, he amassed enough votes to secure the nomination, and it was one of the best nights of my life—well, at least the best night outside of a sexual escapade.

We celebrated by taking over a Mexican restaurant. The margaritas flowed like water, and it wasn’t long before we were all shit-faced, Dad and Mom included. Somehow we all kept it together as we boarded the bus in front of the press. Thankfully, the bodyguards along with the newly allocated Secret Service kept them from getting too close to us, or they would have been able to smell all the liquor.

Now that Dad had the nomination, we had a brief moment to breathe. It meant the campaign would be heading back to DC for a weekend to strategize for the upcoming months, and Dad and Mom would also be getting time to go back home to Alexandria.

Addison and I were also off the hook, at least when it came to working on the campaign. We obviously would still need to spend some time together to keep up the front of our engagement, but we could go our separate ways. Although we probably could have used some time apart, I secretly hoped Addison wouldn’t insist on it.

The truth was, I liked spending time with her. I especially enjoyed just hanging out and watching movies on the bus or in the hotel. That’s when Addison and I got to just be ourselves without having to worry if a camera lens was pointed at us or if someone was analyzing our conversation. We talked about anything and everything. One moment we might be engaged in a very intellectual conversation, and the next we would be laughing over a funny meme we saw on Instagram.

Although I was still too stubborn to admit it to Ty, he had been right when he said Addison was changing me. Since I’d become fake engaged to her, I no longer cared about jet-setting or staying out all night partying. I also began to appreciate the hidden allure of being with just one woman—and more specifically, being with just Addison, and that was even without sex involved.

A wiser man in the ways of the heart might’ve realized where this was headed. Alas, I was fucking clueless to the subterfuge I was being swept up in, and I remained that way until it was far too late.

We landed at Dulles at a little after five. Addison and I exited the jet and hopped into the back seat of the waiting car while Ty slid into the front seat. As we began the drive back into the city, I turned to Addison. “Wanna grab something to eat before we go home?”

She quickly shook her head. “Actually, I need the driver to let me out at my apartment.”

“Okay. Ty and I can grab some dinner and then swing back by and pick you up.”

“No!” Addison exclaimed. Her cheeks flushed at her outburst. “I mean, thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I have a million things I need to get done before the movers come in two weeks. I’ll probably crash there after I get everything done.” She yawned exaggeratedly. “I’m pretty tired already.”

“You don’t need to worry about any of that. I told you before we can have some people come pack you up.”

“No, no, I’d rather do most of it myself.”

“If you’re sure. I mean, you’re going to need your stamina for next week.”

“I am.”

A feeling of unease washed over me. I didn’t have any reason in the world to doubt Addison’s story, but something just seemed off with her. “Okay. We can just meet up in the morning.”

“That sounds good.”

We didn’t speak for the rest of the drive, instead burying our heads in our phones. When Charlie alerted us we had arrived, Addison tossed her phone in her purse before fumbling for the door handle. It was like she couldn’t get out of the car fast enough—or maybe she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.

Just before the door slammed shut, she called, “Bye!”

“Bye,” I replied, but the door had already closed behind her.

Ty turned around his seat. “What was that about?”

“I have no fucking clue.”

“Did you say something shitty to her, Captain Insensitive?”

I threw Ty a death glare. “No, asshole, I didn’t. Besides, you were on the plane with us. You know exactly what was said.”

With a thoughtful look, Ty replied, “That’s true.” He shrugged. “Must be hormones.”

I chuckled. “I sure as hell wouldn’t mention that to her tomorrow.”

Ty grinned. “Affirmative on that. So where do you want to eat?”

“I don’t care what we eat as long as we eat now. I’m starving.”

“Two blocks ahead there’s a great Indian restaurant.”

“Works for me.”

Charlie let us out at the door of my favorite Indian place. The moment we brushed through the front door, the delicious smell of spices entered my nose, sending my stomach roaring. After the hostess seated us, the James Bond-looking watch Ty always wore dinged. When he glanced down at it, he frowned. “What’s wrong?”