Page 20 of Not the Plan

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An hour later, confident he’d never been hit on as much in his entire life, Karim was making his escape from a conversation when the other host of the party found him.

“Karim! There you are.” Julian’s robe matched the exterior furniture and he still had steam coming off him from the jacuzzi. “Peter forgot to tell you to bring a bathing suit? You’re welcome to borrow one of mine and swim if the mood strikes.” He nodded toward three women at the far end of the pool, wriggling out of their dresses. “Though suit, no suit, that rarely stops the girls,” he slurred.

Karim provided the expected chuckle.

“Come,” he said. “I try not to talk shop here, it’s supposed to be for fun, but I head back home tomorrow so now’s what we’ve got.” He approached two chairs under a parasol at the edge of the pool. They were occupied, but the man engaged in an in-depth conversation with a young lady’s cleavage stood up and took her elsewhere as Julian arrived, swatting a hand at them. He caught the woman’s wrist as she walked away.

“Tell someone to bring me two rum and cokes, huh?”

“Sure, Julian,” she said, following her friend.

Karim spoke up, “I’m good.” He lifted his second beer in her direction. She nodded.

“Who said one was for you?” Julian winked, settling into his seat. “How’s it going? First month, a lot to learn.”

“I’ve had a good start. Thanks again for the opportunity.”

Julian waved his hand again. “Don’t mention it. You were a good candidate on paper. Christina tells me you’re better in action. You handled the freeway bill meeting?”

Karim nodded. “She wasn’t feeling her best.”

“Yeah, yeah.” His drinks arrived, and he leaned back in his chair. After a sip, his body language shifted. He wasn’t as drunk as he wanted to appear. “Listen, I’m gonna be straight with you because we need to be on the same page.”

Karim nodded and leaned toward Julian as he lowered his voice. He began with his doubts—Christina had been with him for years, and she said she’d be back after giving birth, but his gut told him otherwise. He wanted Karim to be ready for the possibility of staying long-term if this session went well. Karim nodded again but kept his expression neutral. His instincts told him to remain noncommittal. Julian switched to history and his goals. He was sick of Daniel Etcheverri. His status as majority leader had been difficult for Julian to swallow. It was a role he’d yearned for. Daniel had always found a way to outshine him, and Julian had had enough. While the freeway bill was a good opportunity for them both, he was certain Daniel would find a way to carve out a better deal for himself. Isadora made things more complicated.

“I have to admit she’s good. Always three steps ahead when it comes to anticipating Daniel’s best interest and finding a way to achieve it. I need you to be on your guard.”

“Okay.”

“You also have to be careful because I’m sure she uses all of her attributes to her advantage. Never had any proof; she’s got this damn impeccable reputation. But the number of times she’s managed to get someone I was sure I had on my team to switch sides? There’s no other explanation.”

Julian’s jaw tightened each time he referred to Isadora. It was a surprising amount of aggression. Then it clicked for Karim. Julian had wanted her, and she’d sent him packing. If Julian was accustomed to women throwing themselves at him or his friends, her refusal must have been an insult. Karim had to smother his smirk. It made him respect her even more. However, this was his boss, and he’d just dangled the possibility of something long-term.

“I hear what you’re saying, Julian,” he said. “I understand.”

Julian started to say something, but then a young woman approached. She bent over to whisper something in his ear, and he chuckled.

“What anexcellentidea,” he said to her. “I’ll meet you upstairs in two minutes.” He ran a hand down her back, cupping her bottom and squeezing hard. “Naughty,” he said as she giggled and walked away. He turned back to Karim.

“Glad we’re on the same page. I need to count on you. Now, go have some fun.” His gesture encompassed the room. “Trust me, you have your pick. You’re in Capulet territory here.” He winked at Karim and left to catch up with his friend.

Capulet territory? Even he’s into it?Karim sat for a moment with his beer. It was his second and it was still full. He turned the bottle in his hands. Splashes and giggles caught his attention. He raised his head, noting the couples and triples forming. This wasn’t his scene.

He ducked out after going to the men’s room. Peter’s voiceechoed in the darkened hall as he escorted two women toward a stairwell. Karim got to his car and headed home.

If Julian was right, and Christina didn’t come back, the permanent opportunity Karim needed was there for the taking. If he and Julian were a good fit. He’d researched Julian Brown while he was back in Michigan. An average state-level politician: city councilman, then assemblyman, then senator; nothing stood out. Experience and leadership of the same sort of committees Karim had worked with—Rules, Judiciary, Public Safety. A scandal early in his career about a child out of wedlock. The young mother later retracted her claim. Other than that, he hadn’t found anything on the man’s character despite several days’ research. Now, after a month at work and the envy and hypocrisy Julian had just shown, Karim began to wonder if he wanted a permanent opportunity with Julian Brown.

His thoughts returned to Isadora. He told himself it was for professional reasons. Julian said she was always a few steps ahead. If Karim was going to shine on this freeway bill he needed to be at his best as well.

He picked apart their meeting. Shehadflirted with him. Maybe Julian was right, maybe she did use her charms. But in all fairness, he had tested the waters too. And she hadn’t known who he was on the flight.

Those first few minutes at the meeting had been beyond challenging. When he crossed the threshold behind Christina, he’d almost plowed into her. The moment on the plane was just that, a moment. And then, there Isadora was, right in front of him—no longer just the star of his fantasies.

She’d kept his full attention while she spoke with Christina. Her voice had a luxurious, feminine depth he’d missed before. Her hair was up, away from her face. She was even sexier, more confident, in her element.And when she’d smiled at him and shook his hand, he was thirteen years old again.

Bumping into him wasn’t some ploy. The professional mask she’d worn with Christina wasn’t there when they were alone.He’d encountered the real Isadora, twice. Did Christina know that Isadora? Did Julian? He smiled as he unlocked the door to his apartment. In a parallel universe, he would have caught her in his arms when she lost her balance. His fingertips still held the warmth of that unexpected introduction to her skin.

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