Page 7 of The Pinkie Pact

A short time later, we exited the black SUV that Kieran had sent to our dorm, and Kara pulled at the hem of her own black dress.

"Can't show too much skin at these things, especially because it's mostly old dudes."

Except for her brother, I thought to myself, as my chest tightened with anticipation. Not only did I have to face Kieran tonight, I'd meet thewholefamily, including a United States Senator.

How had this even happened? Plus, I didn't even understand who else might be here tonight. Who exactly attended a political fundraiser at a humongous private estate in Georgetown? I had no clue.

We walked up the huge brick steps, passing white stately pillars on either side of us.

We are not in Kansas anymore.

As soon as we entered the large double doors, the first face I saw was Kieran, and his eyes narrowed immediately when he spotted me. Clearly, I was not his preferred choice to accompany his sister.

"Your brother hates me," I whispered to Kara.

Before she could reply, a very attractive woman, probably in her fifties, came rushing over. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so glad you could make it," she said, giving Kara a quick hug.

"Hi, Mom."

Thiswas the senator? She seemed so warm and had a super kind face. I didn't know what I'd expected, but it wasn't this.

"So this is my new roommate, Sky Sullivan," Kara said.

I stared into familiar green eyes once again as the senator shook my hand. "What a beautiful name. I love that."

"Thank you so much. It's so nice to meet you," I managed to say in my best adult voice.

"You as well." She pulled back to study me but, again, not unkindly. "So where are you from?"

"I'm from Sacramento."

That surprised her. "You're a long way from home, my dear."

"I sure am," I replied with a sigh, making her laugh.

"DC, as I'm sure you know, can be full of sharks."

Just then, I felt the eyes of Kieran on me as he came closer. "Definitely," I agreed.

"But I have a feeling you're more than capable of handling it. Just like my daughter here." She squinted, looking back and forth between us. "Something tells me you two will be just fine, and the sharks had better watch out."

We all had a laugh as a man with silver hair walked over, putting his hand on the senator's back. "What'd I miss?"

The senator shared a secret smile with us. "Oh, nothing. Just girl talk."

Kieran stood right next to the silver fox, and I realized he must be the dad. What an unbelievably good-looking family. They were like the freaking Kennedys or something, straight out of Camelot.

Uh, what was I doing here again?Act like a grown-up. Act like a grown-up.

"So, Dad," Kara said, "I was just introducing Mom to my new roommate, Sky."

Holding out my hand, I met his eyes which were a stunning grayish color, gleaming in a way I couldn't quite figure out. His hand grasped mine, and as I studied his face, my heart stopped as I realized what it was.

It was a certain look that I recognized, a certain look I'd seen plenty of times before from men. But to get that look from Kara and Kieran's dad, the freaking senator's husband, shocked me to my core.

With all my being, I stifled a shudder of revulsion and plastered on a fake smile. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Emerson," I said, trying not to sound too stiff.

"You as well."