Conservative Affairs by Riley Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

answer.
    “You know who. Don’t play dumb with me, Gabe. You’ve had it bad for that girl ever since she came to work for Stratton.”
    “She’s not a girl. She’s twenty-seven, and I don’t ‘have it bad for her,’ Jacquelyn. You don’t have to always butt into everyone else’s business.”
    “Whatever, man. She isn’t interested. I can tell you that much. But if you hear from her with an update on Stratton, let me know.”
    Gabe wanted badly to protest, but deep down he knew that Jacquelyn’s words were the truth. Jo had no interest in him, and that didn’t appear likely to change.
    “Fine. Have a good night.”
    “Yeah, you too,” Jacquelyn replied and left the office.
    Alone with his thoughts, he couldn’t help but wonder what Jo’s type was. Was it something he could become? Not that he believed in changing for someone, but maybe Jo wanted someone who made her laugh or someone who made romantic gestures or someone with a high-paying job or someone who went to the gym religiously. He made her laugh and he liked romantic gestures. He could focus on making those attributes more apparent and work toward improving the other traits. Whatever Jo needed, he would try to be it. Which is why, after sending another text message saying “Let me know if you need anything,” he eyed his watch and sat back on the office couch. He would stay another hour, just in case, and then go home. Wherever he was, though, if Jo called, he would go to her. Just as she was Madeline’s shoulder to cry on, he would be hers.
    * * *
    Jo shook her head as she refilled Madeline’s glass with Jameson on the rocks. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined having Madeline Stratton sitting on her couch, six drinks in, a lit cigarette in one hand and the other petting Jaws.
    She stole a glance at her from the kitchen. Madeline’s tears had stopped, but her words had not. Apparently, she was the kind of drunk who told endless stories. Stories of the past and stories that she probably shouldn’t be sharing with a staff member.
    Jo was thankful that Madeline was a talker, though. Otherwise Jo might have been tempted to share some uncomfortable stories of her own. Luckily she was nowhere near drunk enough for that. Madeline had insisted that Jo drink with her, but she had sipped back only two drinks so far. She was not going to get sloppy tonight. She couldn’t afford to slip in front of Madeline—even if there was a chance Madeline would forget everything by morning.
    Her BlackBerry dinged. She checked Madeline one more time. Deciding she would be all right alone for a few seconds longer, she checked the message.
    It was Gabe—big surprise. He had been texting ever since she and Madeline had left this afternoon. She debated about replying. She didn’t want to instigate further conversation, but she felt she should at least give him a sign that he didn’t need worry about them.
    “We’re fine. Thanks!”
    She typed the response and sent it before she could allow herself to reconsider the move.
    Almost immediately, she received three new text messages.
    “You’re still with her?”
    “Are you okay? Do you need help?”
    “Where are you? Can I bring anything?”
    “Shit,” Jo muttered. This guy was becoming a royal pain. It was clear from this and his earlier messages that this was more than matter of him doing his job. She needed some breathing room. There was no way she would ever go out with anyone that needy—guy or girl.
    She decided not to reply. She didn’t want to say whether or not she was still with Madeline. Would it look suspicious that she was? Or would it make her look like a loyal employee, someone intent on sticking with her boss through the good and the bad?
    She hoped it was the latter, but at this point, she wasn’t sure how much it mattered. It wasn’t the best of circumstances, but Madeline had proved to be a lot of fun and Jo was thoroughly enjoying spending the evening with her. The best