Page 19 of Not the Plan

“So what if he’s a Capulet?” RJ asked.

Isadora rolled her eyes.

“You know I think that ‘Capulet-Montague’ stuff is ridiculous,” she said.

RJ shrugged.

“Okay, so it’s a little dramatic. But you’re gonna tell me it doesn’t fit? Julian doesn’t ‘bite his thumb’ at Daniel each and every chance he gets?” RJ asked.

Isadora finished her sip.

“No, I most certainly will not. It’s like breathing to him.”

“He’d stab Daniel in the middle of the rotunda if he could get away with it,” RJ said. He took a step closer to the door, then turned to face her, his smile wicked. “All the more reason this could be fun. This Karim could be a delicious way to end the getting-laid drought.”

“No,” she said. “No fraternizing with the enemy. We have to be good little soldiers, even if it means some self-deprivation. Besides, remember what happened to the original Capulets and Montagues who tried to get together?”

He rolled his eyes and stood. “Come on. I said have somefun.Not fall in eternal love. And can’t we just go for ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’?”

“RJ!”

“You know you want to,” he whispered, opening the door and stepping into the hallway.

Maybe I do. And that’s precisely why I shouldn’t.

CHAPTER SIX

Karim

Saturday afternoon, Karim followed Julian’s directions, stopping about three miles away to pick up the requested six-pack. Julian and fellow senator Peter Luccini hosted occasional get-togethers at a place called Ike’s. As Julian’s aide, Karim was expected to put in an appearance.

He’d anticipated a private home. Instead, Ike’s was in a semi-commercial part of town. The number of cars surprised him, as did the number of people inside. A large lounge with a back wall of sliding glass doors opened onto a swimming pool flanked by couches and tables. Karim had been disappointed when he learned Sacramento was a good two hours away from the Pacific. But the pool, surrounded by sand, lounge chairs, and a few parasols, brought the ocean inland.

Peter approached him from behind, thumping a hand on his shoulder, a feat due to their difference in height.

“Karim! Good you could make it,” he said.

“Thanks for the invite.”

“Of course. Thanks for bringing these,” he said, taking the beer. “We’ve got the place to ourselves tonight, but the manager always gets overexcited on the drinks, so we save the taxpayers a couple bucks where we can.” He winked and clamped Karim’s shoulder again. “Lemme show you around.”

Peter introduced him to guest after guest, mostly mensurrounded by two or three attractive women. After the seventh or eighth introduction, Karim leaned toward Peter.

“You’re gonna have to help me out; there’s no way I’ll remember everyone.”

“Don’t worry about it. There are only a couple senators and assemblymen here. The rest are members of the Third House. They will make it a point to remember you.”

Karim nodded, pleased to learn that the lobbying corps had the same nickname on both coasts.

“Listen,” Peter said. “I gotta take a leak. You’re a big boy, you can make friends on your own?”

“Of course, Peter. And thanks again for inviting me.”

“Oh, don’t thank me yet. You’ll be far more appreciative by the end of the evening.” He winked and walked away. Karim gave him a tight-lipped smile, tipping his chosen beer in Peter’s direction. He took a swig and as soon as he lowered his gaze, made eye contact with two women sitting on one of the poolside couches. They waved him over. One shifted and patted the empty place between them. The invitation wasn’t that appealing, but he didn’t know who they were and couldn’t risk offending anyone.

“Hi,” said the short-haired blonde as he sat. “You’re new here.”

“I am,” he said, committing himself to polite conversation.

---