All I Want Is Forever by Lynn Emery Read Free Book Online Page B

mischievously.
    â€œWhat’s this?” Bill glanced at Talia.
    â€œNothing,” Talia snapped. She glared at Jasmine.
    â€œAhem, guess I’ll mosey on to my office.” Jasmine stood. “See ya.” She beat a hasty retreat.
    â€œWe won’t get Congress to change this session, but we can lay the groundwork for the next one. I think in a few months we might approach the Black Caucus staffers about drafting a bill.” Talia read through the notes.
    â€œUh-huh.” Bill continued to study her.
    â€œWe’ll also need the Latino Caucus. There are a couple of moderate Republicans I can work on in the meantime.” Talia avoided his gaze.
    â€œRight. Can I say something?” Bill uncrossed his legs and sat forward, elbows resting on both knees.
    â€œSure. You’ve got good insight into these law-and-order issues. Of course we agree to disagree on most of them.” Talia wore a slight smile.
    Bill shook his head. “I’m not talking about politics now. Something’s got you shook. Don’t bother to deny it,” he said quickly, when she opened her mouth to protest.
    â€œSince when did you become my big brother?” Talia joked.
    â€œSince the first day we started working together,” he replied. “Us Southern folk stick together.”
    She felt a warm flush of affection. Bill had taken her under his wing even before she came to work for Pete. They’d met while she was still a grad student at Howard University. Their unique friendship grew,and he’d advised her on career moves since that time. He had become her big brother in a sense. She’d never quite understood why though. He was from a wealthy family with political clout in Texas. Yet they’d always had an easy, close working relationship.
    â€œLighten up. I’m tired and stretched thin is all.” Talia glanced away from his perceptive gaze.
    â€œLook, I left Texas for a lot of reasons. Mostly to get away from a control freak drunken father who beat the stuffing out of me every chance he got.”
    So that was it. Adults who were knocked around as kids seemed able to recognize each other. Rich or poor, black, white, or purple, it didn’t matter. Talia had met enough kids from deep-pocket families to know hellish childhoods were equal opportunity. Or as Mama Rose would say, “The devil is always busy, child.” Still she couldn’t share her Louisiana past with anyone, not even Bill and Jasmine.
    â€œEvery once in a while he still tries to mess with my head. Old bastard is pushing seventy years old and just as crazy-mean. I know all about trying to escape.” Bill sat back. “You’ve been jittery since this guy Guillory showed up.”
    â€œDon’t worry about me, I’m cool. I mean it, Bill.” Talia looked at him steadily.
    Bill rubbed his jaw for a long minute, then nodded. “Okay. Remember you can call on me.”
    Derrick appeared in the open door of her office as though conjured up by a voodoo spell. A chill spread up her spine at the look in his dark eyes. The lightweight gray suit seemed tailor-made to fit his large frame. He wore a white shirt that made a striking contrast to his creamy brown skin.
    â€œSorry to interrupt. I met your colleague Jasmine,and she said I could come back.” Derrick nodded toward the front of the office suite.
    Bill stood. “No problem. I’m on my way out. Bill Elliot.”
    â€œDerrick Guillory. Nice to meet you,” Derrick said. The men shook hands.
    â€œFirst time in D.C?” Bill wore an easy smile.
    â€œNo, I was here a couple of years ago on business.” Derrick’s gaze flickered to Talia for only a second before he looked at Bill again.
    She worked on keeping a bland expression. So he’d been in town before without calling her. Well, she had it coming. Not that she wanted to see him, right? A worrisome tickle of anger lodged in her chest all the