Free A Political Affair by Mary Whitney

early.”  
    “Um. Yes. We went out.”  
    “I called it an early night to get some sleep. I had to work yesterday.”
    She processed his comment as he stared into her eyes with intense sincerity. Is he trying to tell me he wasn’t with Diane Schultz Saturday night? That he didn’t sleep with her? She searched his eyes for an answer, and his happy gaze made her think she was right. She smiled and remarked, “Your schedule must be difficult right now.”  
    “It comes with the job. We’ll still get to have a prep session this week.” His smile grew. “That will be fun.”
    “You’re generous to do it.”  
    “Well, I enjoy it.”  
    Patty’s voice echoed through the hall. “Stephen, we have a meeting.”
    “I’ll be right there,” he said, sounding a little amused.
    Anne looked at Patty for a moment as she stood checking her phone. After a few seconds, Patty glanced at them with a suspicious glare. Anne turned to Stephen again, wondering what things were like between the siblings.
    “Excuse me. I have to go placate my sister.” Stephen rolled his eyes.  
    “I’m guessing you’ve had to do that your whole life.” She laughed. “Has it gotten worse since you took office?”
    “Absolutely. It should be easier now—because we’re adults.” He shook his head. “But because of my job and the fact that we’re all working together, it can be worse than when I was twelve.”
    “That must be really annoying.”
    “Believe me it is.” He nodded toward Patty. “I should go now. Have a good rest of your day.”
    “You, too.”
    They parted ways, and Anne went back to her desk bewildered—yet again.  

    When Stephen sprinted out of the room after Thursday’s study session ended, Anne was disappointed. She’d hoped they could talk again like the week before, but he obviously had plans. She frowned to herself thinking they might bewith Diane Schultz.  
    As she passed by his office door, Greg called her name. She poked her head in, and saw Megan kicked back in a chair while Greg sat with his feet up on his desk.  
    “Hey, do you want to have dinner with us?” he asked. “We’re just going to the brew pub down the street.”
    Anne glanced at Megan to make sure she was welcome. Megan shrugged with a smile. “Come along. It’ll be fun.”
    “Great. Thanks for asking.”
    Stephen’s voice came from behind her. “I’m ready to go when you are.”  
    Anne looked over, her mouth agape in surprise to see him beside her.  
    “Are you joining us?” he asked.
    “Yeah,” she said slowly. “Greg invited me. Let me get my bag.”  
    Anne flexed her hands as she walked to her cubicle. It’s a perfectly normal thing to go out after work. Do not make more of it than that.  
    She stuck close to Greg as they walked the few blocks to the local brew pub. The loud and boisterous restaurant eased her fears of an awkward intimate dinner. Instead, the mood was fun. Everyone laughed as Greg and Anne told silly stories of growing up in Summit County, with its odd mix of ranchers, hippies, tourists, ski bums, and wealthy part-time residents.  
    When Megan excused herself to the bathroom, Stephen followed along. The moment they were out of earshot, she snapped. “You duped Greg into this, didn’t you?”
    “Maybe.” He smiled. “I simply suggested it might be nice to continue to make Anne feel welcome in the office.”
    “Huh. A likely story.”
    “Well, it’s true,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Oh, and I’ll take everyone home.”
    “Wait.” She pulled him aside for an even more private conversation. “In what order are you dropping us off?”
    “Greg first, of course, because he lives on the Hill. Then you, and then Anne. She lives in Adams-Morgan, right?”
    “Yes, but I should be last.”
    “No, you live on the way up to Adams-Morgan, and I can get home quicker by taking Connecticut after dropping Anne off.” His reasoning was sound; she couldn’t dispute it was the shortest route