Beauty Queen (32 page)

That made her heart skip just a little.

And, she had to admit, he was unusually chipper about the string of seniors that were still calling after the bingo bash. He was a good sport, too, would always laugh when she messed with him. One day he asked her about the stars she was lining up for the big to-do he was so adamantly against. So, do you have the Dixie Chicks lined up? he had asked.

No, she had sighed wearily, glancing at him. I could only get Lyle Lovett. That, of course, was a lie.

Matt had chuckled, his eyes glimmering with amusement. Now thats a real shame. Howd you manage?

A friend of a friend of a friend, she had said, waving her hand dismissively.

His smile had brightened then he was on to her and

he walked closer to where she was standing, next to the bulletin board where they posted all the news, standing so close that she could feel his very masculine body at her back, every last delicious firm inch of it. What about Renee Zellwegger? A friend of a friend? he had asked low, his breath skimming her ear.

Ah, no ... she wasnt available.

Tom will be crushed.

Oh no, he was okay with Sandra Bullock. That was not a lie.

Matt laughed low; Rebecca turned partially around to look at him. His eyes crinkled appealingly in the corners with his appreciative smile, and his gaze fell to her lips. For a moment, Rebecca toyed with stealing a kiss from him, just taking it... but she was too indecisive. Matt was already walking away, chuckling softly. Cant wait to go to this shindig, he said cheerfully as he walked out the door.

She was, she knew, attracted to him. Big time ... weak-kneed-butterfly-belly attracted. That was a confusing place to be, because true to his word, Matt had left the ball in her court. He didnt press her; he didnt make her even remotely uncomfortable like so many men in her life had done. But sometimes, she would catch him looking at her, his eyes as soft and deep as the river, and hed flash a sheepish smile and turn away.

Thankfully, Rebecca continued to convince herself (thanks to Protecting the Inner Child While Searching for the Exterior Woman) that she didnt need to be involved with any guy right now. After all, she had just come out of a long-term, toxic relationship, and lest she forget, that toxic guy had been terribly charming at first, too. Worse, she feared that Dad could be right about her, that she was too afraid to be alone.

So the ludicrously topsy-turvy upshot of all this was, when she saw Matt, her heart did a funny little dance. She was so attracted to him and had such a raging desire to see him, talk to him, and feel him that she felt, for the most part, completely at odds with the universe. But she was not

so numb that she didnt recognize that slowly and surely, she was falling like a shooting star, falling fast and headlong into that lovely chasm, at which point shed slap a big mental red circle and line on him. The practical Rebecca understood why; the real Rebecca often wondered if she wasnt just completely nuts.

After several days of dancing around their mutual attrac-

tion, Matt was growing weary. He did everything he knew how to do to get her to cross over to his side. And while she showed signs of wanting to make that leap, shed quickly back off. Actually, he couldnt help but feel a little sorry for her. Unlike him, who had never suffered the pangs of iove, Rebecca must have suffered them to death.

And rattier than allow himself to feel the pangs of rejection, he focused his attentions on getting a face-to-face with HGG. He was bound and determined to do so, and hounded that group, called in all the chits he could think of. So when he finally got the call, he was ecstatic, and called Toms capitol office, (old him that the meeting was on, at four-thirty at the Four Seasons.

Today? Tom had asked.

Today. Thats the only time they would give me. This could be a huge boost toward getting the Hispanic vote, you know. he reminded him.

Yeah. Okay, Ill rearrange a couple of things. Four-thirty at the Four Seasons. Great . . . just swing by the campaign office and pick me up.

Matt was thrilled to have finally snared the big fish they said could not be caught But hed been around long enough that he should have known, when his morning took a nosedive at court, that things were not going to go as he had hoped.

Kelly Kikers discovery hearing went badly. The ruling against him was especially bad because Matt had not seen it coming. He had believed arrogantly believedthat they would win access to some of the employer records that they both thought were critical to her suit, and therefore,

had not been fully prepared. Matt apologized profusely to Kelly, but the words sounded empty and hollow, a big fat lie.

Dude, its okay, she had said, stuffing her papers into her enormous black bag and lighting a cigarette. We tried our best, and thats what counts, right?

He thought about that when he got back to the office, and came to the conclusion that no, it didnt count, not when people like Kelly Kiker got hurt. Trying just wasnt good enough and the truth was that hed been too caught up in Rebecca and this campaign crap to pay proper attention to the case. Matt rarely let a client down, but he had let Kelly down, and to add insult to injury, Ben gave him another speech before he left the office. That, he did not need, and was, therefore, in a pretty foul mood when he pulled up at campaign headquarters.

He stalked into the offices; but there was no Angie. He continued on to the back, saw Pat sitting at a break table with Grayson.

Hi, Matt! Grayson cried, his face brightening.

Thank God, Pat said. Im going to be late. I have to pick my daughter up from band practice.

Where the hell is his mom? Matt snapped, ignoring Grayson.

With Tom somewhere.

You mean I finally get a meeting with HGG and hes late?

Pat stood up, slung her purse over her shoulder. Is that where he went?

What do you mean, where he went? Matt demanded.

Hey! Pat exclaimed, holding up a hand and scowling mightily at his tone. Tom left earlier, said he had a meeting at the Four Seasons. He said you could meet him there when you got in. You dont like that, take it up with him, not me.

The information shocked Matt so thoroughly that he could only stand there, immobilized, as Pat walked past.

You want to read my book with me? Grayson asked.

Wait! Matt snapped, pivoting sharply toward Pat.

Are you telling me that he left without me? That he went to that meeting alone ?

He didnt go alone. He took Rebecca with him. Look, I really have to go, she said, and walked out, leaving him standing there, his blood percolating up to a full cauldron boil.

He could not fucking believe it. Of all the shit hed put up with, of all the time he had devoted to Toms campaign, and this was the thanks he got 9 He felt a rage coming on like he had only felt once or twice as an adult, and both times in a courtroom. Slowly, he turned. Looked at the kid. Frowned darkly.

Grayson took a step back, his hazel eyes widening slightly.

You wanna go for a little ride? Matt drawled.

Grayson thought about it for a moment, then nodded.

Rebecca glanced at her watch a second time, worried that Tom was getting a little carried away. She had only intended to be gone a half hour, no more, and she thought of Grayson with Pat, his least favorite of the campaign staff. She smells like milk, he had once told her, wrinkling his nose. She was thinking shed have to excuse herself, send someone back for Tom when he suddenly looked up, beaming. Matt Parrish! he called loudly, and Rebeccas tummy did a funny little flip. Smiling, she instantly glanced over her shoulder but her heart seized when she saw the look on Matts face and Grayson beside him. Something had happened.

Tom turned toward the three men he had come in to say hello to, and as Matt reached them, he said, Id like you to meet Matt Parrish. You may have spoken to him on the phone.

Of course! Mr. Martinez said. Many times!

Mr. Martinez? Pleasure to finally meet you in person, Matt said, unsmiling as he extended his hand.

Rebecca leaned over Grayson, ran her hand over the top

of his unruly hair, and asked if everything was okay, to which Grayson dropped his gaze and shrugged.

Im sorry Im late, Matt said to Tom and the three men. I ran into a little problem.

Late? Tom asked, looking at his watch. Oh no, youre not late! Rebecca and I are a little early.

They were? As far as she knew, Tom wasnt even certain the three gentlemen would be at the Four Seasons.

But now that everyone is here, I guess we should get a table and talk about this little campaign thing I have going, Tom laughed, gesturing toward a table.

Be right with you, Senator, Matt said. I need to give Ms. Lear some of her sons things.

Ms. Lear? Okay, since when was she anyone but Miss Priss?

Take your time, Mr. Martinez said pleasantly. Well order a Mexican martini for you, if youd like.

That would be great, Matt said, and forced what almost passed for a smile.

Gentlemen, what do you think of a superhighway running from Dallas to Brownsville? Tom asked as he ushered the three gentlemen toward an empty table.

Matt turned his hard smile to Rebecca, and it faded to a sneer.

She did not like that look at all; it left her feeling cold and vulnerable. Im sorry you had to bring Grayson, she said, attempting to smooth over whatever was annoying him.

Matt released Graysons hand. You sound surprised, Rebecca. You probably thought Id just sit around and babysit for you all day, didnt you?

I left him with Pat, she said. I didnt mean

I know exactly what you didnt mean, he snapped, gesturing for her to walk. If you dont mind, Id like to give you his things and get on with my business.

All right, Matt. She took Graysons hand, started walking. Im sorry you thought you had to bring him down here, but I was going

Save me your lame excuses, he muttered angrily.

Rebecca sucked in her breath. She and Matt had had their moments, but she had never seen him like this, so nasty mean and nasty and she didnt like it at all. I am not making excuses, Matt, she said tightly. I know you dont like the fact that I have to bring Grayson with me, but Ive told you, I am volunteering, and sometimes

What you are doing is letting other people use you so you can flit around and be some ex-beauty queen, he rudely interrupted her as they strode across the marble floor, side by side, Grayson working to keep up between them.

The remark went all over her no matter what he was upset about, she did not deserve this. What the hell is the matter with you? she demanded angrily. Im not doing any such thing! And frankly, its none of your business what] do!

It is when you start interfering with my business! he snapped as they reached the elevator.

How could I possibly be interfering with your business? she retorted as he punched a button. How could I possibly interfere in something I know nothing about? Besides. I couldnt possibly care less about your business! she insisted hotly as they stepped into the elevator.

Mom? Grayson asked nervously.

Its all right, honey. Matts just grouchy, thats all, she said irritably.

Oh, Im grouchy, all right. You and Tom have lost all sight of whats important. I dont give a shit, personally, but there arc a lot of other people who are working hard to get him elected, and when you dash in, drop your kid, and take off with Tom, you are screwing up a lot of that hard work. Do you ever stop to think about someone other than yourself, Rebecca? You think everything revolves around you! What you want! How you and Tom look to everyone out there! Dont you think that this campaign is maybe just a little bit bigger than you?

What in Gods name are you talking about? she demanded as the elevator landed on the bottom floor.

The doors opened; Matt put his hand on her back,

steered her none too gently out the door and into the underground garage. Ill tell you, he said low as they marched toward his car. I am talking about that fact that it is time for you to grow up and stop resting on your beauty queen laurels

Stop accusing me

Let me finish! he snapped.

MO-OM! Grayson cried, clutching at her sheath dress.

You need to learn how to use your brains rather than your looks, and you damn sure shouldnt let others use your looks!

That stung. This is ridiculous, Matt. I swear I dont know what you think has happened, or what little game you are playing with me, but there is nothing going on. I was just running errands with Tom and

I am talking about that meeting upstairs! he roared, pointing at the garage ceiling as they reached his car. I have worked for weeks to get that meeting, and the first thing Tom does is trot you out there! So look at you! he said, gesturing wildly at her as he tried to fit the key into his Jag. Yeah, you look great, but thats about it, isnt it? You dont know anything about the issues facing this campaign, or even what Tom stands for! All you know is which recipe goes with what newsletter! You spend all your time running around on stupid little chores and you have no clue what Toms record is in the senate! If you were really interested in this campaign, you would learn about your candidate and the issues! But no, you want to walk around and be a fucking queen! You want to prove youre some bona fide socialite with all your little parties. This whole thing is about how you look, how Tom looks, and not about a political campaign!

You are the one who said image was everything!

It is, Rebecca! But its an image that projects what is on the inside of a candidate, not what is on the outside. Its all about who he is, what he stands for, and not who he knows or the best theme for his little parties or the best recipe for his newsletter! Its all about what matters to

people who live in this state, but you know what? I think youre too fucking empty to even grasp that!

Rebecca gasped he couldnt have hurt her more if he had punched her. She couldnt speak, just pulled Grayson into her, who instantly buried his face in her dress.