Valentine Vote by Susan Blexrud Read Free Book Online Page A

said.
    “Yeah, but I’m not in
lurve
.”
    “Neither am I,” Courtney said, though her heart wasn’t cooperating. She could hear it beating in her ears. And her knees wobbled. She took a swig of champagne and watched Eric bound up to the podium. She hadn’t had time to properly admire his wardrobe at the Mayflower, but he looked gorgeous in his navy wool suit, light blue shirt, and maroon and blue striped tie. She took a deep breath and blew it out through puffed cheeks.
    “Good evening, and thank you, Rebecca, for the wonderful work you do every day for Special Olympics.” Courtney froze when he made eye contact with her. He cleared his throat and continued to look directly at her. “In spite of people in this room who are on opposite sides of issues, I think we can all agree that the Special Olympics knows no dissension.”
    Duly noted, Courtney rubbed the back of her hand, like she’d been swatted with a ruler by a nun in parochial school. She knew Eric was right. She’d never have had such an outburst with anyone else. He was entitled to his opinion, but what galled her was that if he was so philanthropic and cognizant of the underdog, why couldn’t he see that the only good tobacco was a shriveled crop? She couldn’t stay here and listen to this. She turned to Helen. “I’m leaving.”
    “No, you can’t. That would be over-the-top rude to leave in the middle of his speech.”
    “I know. It’s rude and cowardly, and I’m doing it.” She hurried out of the room and back through the main bar, where the sound system piped out a Linda Ronstadt tune, “Somewhere Out There.” Her mom had loved that song. Courtney’s eyes welled with tears as she tore out of the bar.
    • • •
    Following his remarks from the podium, Eric searched the room for Courtney. He approached the woman he’d seen her standing with. “Hi,” he said, “did Courtney leave?”
    “Hi, yourself. I’m Court’s roommate, Helen.” She held out her hand, and Eric shook it. “She, uh, wasn’t feeling well. She just left.”
    “Sure it didn’t have something to do with me?”
    “Now why would you think that?” Helen looked at Eric, but she didn’t maintain eye contact. She scanned the room and then returned to his face. “Don’t give up on her.”
    Eric ran a hand through his hair and kept it at the back of his neck. “I wasn’t planning to, but she’s not making it easy.” He dropped his hand.
    “I don’t want to talk out of school here, but from what she’s told me, you seem to be a good guy. She deserves a good guy.” Helen put her hand on Eric’s sleeve. “It probably seems like she’s sabotaging things, but she doesn’t really want to.”
    “I’ve never met anyone like her.”
    “Yeah, that’s our Court. She’s an original.” Helen sipped her champagne.
    “Anytime we broach the subject of tobacco, she gets so emotional that we can’t talk rationally about it.” Eric shook his head.
    Helen gave him a considering look, as if deciding something, then leaned close. “Look, don’t tell her I told you any of this, but when her mom died, she was heavy into school, and she didn’t let herself grieve. Now, her job focus is a constant reminder that her mother died from cigarettes. So, she’s finally working through all that repressed sorrow.” Helen’s eyes narrowed like she was sizing him up. “Want some advice?”
    “I’d love some.”
    “You really want to get through to Court? Show her who you really are. You’re into the environment, right? Take her to a landfill.”
    Eric’s eyebrows climbed in confusion.
    “Okay, no, I’m just kidding,” Helen chuckled. “But take her somewhere away from this D.C. frenzy, where she won’t be tempted to talk politics. If you can open up to her, maybe she can finally open up to you.” She winked. “In more ways than one, if you get my drift.”
    From his mood of discouragement, Eric emerged with new resolve. Helen was right, and he’d been an idiot