Dare to Submit (NY Dares 2)

He chuckled at that. “Yes, I have news, and I want my family there for the announcement.”

“Umm …”

He laughed. “Let my son make use of that fancy private plane of his,” Stephan said.

She and Decklan hadn’t decided who would be making the trip where yet, but it looked like she’d be heading to Manhattan. “Sure. I’ll let Brad know,” she assured the senator.

“That’s great. The family angle is an important one to the party. So wear your Sunday finest. It’s at The Plaza.”

She winced at the mention of his political allies.

“Okay, have to go make more calls. I’ll see you this weekend.” He hung up before she could reply.

She leaned back in her chair and groaned.

“Anything wrong?” Brad walked out of his office, wearing a Suicide Bunny tee shirt and a pair of faded jeans. Not an outfit his father’s political cronies would approve of.

“No, but you’re going to have to free up your Sunday.” She pushed her chair back and rose to her feet. “I just spoke to your father. He wants us to be at an important fund-raiser at The Plaza.”

“Oh shit. Seriously? I promised Keith we’d go to a show on Sunday.” Brad stalked to the window and looked out over the city. “Can we get out of this one?”

“It didn’t sound like it. He pushed the family angle and mentioned how important it was to the party.”

Well, maybe she could see Decklan before, talk to him and explain things before she made her appearance with Brad. But first she’d have to tell Brad what she was thinking.

She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache forming.

“Amanda?” Brad snapped his finger near her ear, and she jumped. “I asked if you were okay.”

She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t heard or seen him come up beside her. “Yes, but—”

Before she could continue, her phone beeped, announcing a text message, and she picked it up from her desk. Decklan’s name showed above the message.

Shift change this weekend. Working. Not free till Sunday.

Her stomach twisted with disappointment. Though she’d just seen him this past weekend, every pore in her body missed him. Craved him.

Her phone beeped again.

I’ll try to get off Monday so we have two days. Can you swing it?

When she didn’t answer right away, her phone went off once more. I’ll show you a good time.

“That was Decklan, wasn’t it?” Brad asked.

She met his gaze and nodded.

“You’ve seen him every weekend this past month. It’s become serious.”

Again, she nodded. “Brad, I have to tell him about our situation. I don’t want to keep any more secrets. I hope or at least I think he’ll understand.”

She swallowed over the lump of fear in her throat. The fear that he’d reject her. It was so ingrained to think the people in her life would find her lacking or turn on her in some way.

Speaking of, she glanced at her best friend, whose brows were furrowed in thought. “Brad? Say something.” She didn’t want to lose her best friend either.

“I get it. Of course I do.” He glanced toward the window, his expression sad. “Keith hasn’t been happy with me or our situation.”

“I’m sorry.”