With Addison registered in DC, I wouldn’t have the chance to see her until later in the day when we took over the Jefferson as we awaited election returns. Of course, the moment I stepped out of the car at the polling station, the media bombarded me with questions about where Addison was. I assured them they would be seeing her soon.
On the flight home, I caught the video of Addison going to vote. Although she was without the benefit of Saundra and Everett, her appearance in a navy dress and white coat was impeccable. I was sure Evan had had something to do with that since she was staying with him. Ty helped her maneuver through the reporters as she made her way inside the polling building. With our group overrun with Secret Service agents, I had dispatched Ty to be with Addison. There was no man I trusted more with her safety.
When we got back to the Jefferson, I immediately began scouring the crowd for any sight of Addison. “She isn’t here,” Pete said from behind me.
Whirling around, I questioned, “Why not?”
“She let Bernie know she would be staying at volunteer headquarters until the polls closed. Then Ty will escort her here.”
I glanced down at my watch. It was two hours until the polls closed. I couldn’t possibly wait that long. I had to see Addison now. “Can you call a car for me?”
Pete shook his head. “You can’t go anywhere. In thirty minutes, the press is coming out in droves to cover Thorn’s FaceTime with your Dad. You and Caroline will both be expected to be there for a photo op.”
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.
“It’s just two hours. Then she’ll be here and you can undertake whatever grand gesture it is you have in mind to win her over.”
I cocked my brows at him. “Win her over instead of back? Like I didn’t do anything wrong?”
Pete winked. “Anyone with a pair of eyes can see she’s crazy about you.”
My heart did that funny flip-flop thing that made me question whether I needed to get an EKG. “Really?”
“Oh yeah.”
“I hope you’re right, man.”
“Of course I am. Why else would your father put so much faith in my abilities?”
I laughed. “Just keep ego tripping, man.”
With a grin, Pete motioned for me to follow him. “Come on. Let’s get you in the family suite for Thorn’s call.”
The next two hours seemed to pass in a dreamlike state. Everyone went crazy at the sight of a fully recovered Thorn back in the field with his men standing in front of a giant American flag. Even I got a little teary at the truly patriotic moment, especially when he saluted Dad and called him Forty-Eight. Hopefully in a few short hours, Dad really would be the forty-eighth president.
At seven, I started pacing around the family suite, waiting for Addison to show up. A half hour went by, and then an hour. When early precincts began reporting on Dad’s lead, everyone started cheering and clapping. I, on the other hand, retreated to one of the corners. After taking my phone out of my pocket, I called Ty. “Where the hell is she?” I demanded.
“We’ve been tied up in traffic.”
“Is that the truth, or are you just fucking with me?”
“Of course it’s the truth. Take a look outside if you don’t believe me.”
I gave a grunt of frustration. “I really need to see her.”
Ty’s voice lowered. “I know you do, and I swear, I’m doing my best to get her to you.”
“Thanks man.”
“We’ll see you soon.”
I’d barely hung up the phone when a reporter appeared before me. “Was that Addison you were talking to? Why isn’t she here?”
Instead of punching him, I forced a smile to my face. “She’s stuck in traffic after spending the afternoon with her old coworkers at campaign headquarters.”
“How kind of her. You certainly are a lucky man.”
My chest constricted at his words. “Yeah, I am,” I croaked. I excused myself before I did something completely unmanly like bursting into tears. Another half hour went by without any sign of Addison, and the exhilaration and triumph in the air surrounding me did little to boost my mood.
Finally, my phone dinged with a text from Ty: We’re on the way up.
Without a word to anyone, I hurried out the bedroom door. Since I’d gone inside the family suite hours earlier, the penthouse had become packed with people. I craned my neck, searching for Addison. As I made my way through the crowd, people patted my back and gave me congratulatory hugs, but I couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge them. Addison was my only concern.
I finally saw her. God, she was so beautiful. Her nose and cheeks were flushed from the cold, and her long, dark hair was windblown. As she chewed on her bottom lip, her gaze darted around the room, taking in all the people. Then, as if she sensed my presence, she stared right at me.
At the sight of me coming toward her with the steely determination of a lion stalking a gazelle, Addison’s eyes widened. Her panicked gaze bounced left and right to see if she could make a quick escape, but it was too packed for her to make a getaway.
“I need to talk to you, alone,” I shouted over the celebratory roar.
“There’s nothing more for you to say. Today is Election Day, and the gig is officially over.” She stared pointedly at me. “We’re over.”
I shook my head furiously back and forth. “No, we’re not. I know you love you me.”