Page 5 of The Playboy's Playbook

“If this doesn’t pass in the Senate, they’re all fools.”

Several members of the Senate from all represented political parties surrounded Senator Mitchell and I as we left the floor to return to her office. Everything people were saying is true – the speech was everything and more. I swear a tear fell from the oldest, most conservative Senator’s eyes.

Once she concluded, the floor erupted into thunderous applause. It was the coolest moment I’ve experienced since working in her office and it made waking up at five in the morning worth it. She thanks as many people as she can before we enter the elevator.

“Thank you, Laila. This bill wouldn’t have been introduced if it weren’t for you,” she says softly, her motherly vibes wrapping around me.

I smile up at my boss and fight back tears. “I may have given you the idea, but the delivery was all you, Senator.”

She waves me off. “You’ve been here for two years and still refuse to call me Eleanor.” We chuckle and exit the elevator when we reach our office floor.

“It’s a habit,” I say, a smile still on my lips.

“What do you plan on doing during the break?” Senator Mitchell asks as we settle into her office.

I shrug my shoulders. “I was just going to hang around here.”

“When was the last time you went home? I’m sure your mom would love to see you. How is she by the way?” the Senator asks.

I smile at the mention of my mom. When I first got hired, she booked a flight to D.C. to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Senator Mitchell.

In the motherliest way possible, she explained to my new boss that I would be an asset to the office, but I shouldn’t be taken for granted while I’m here. Senator Mitchell promised my mom that she would look after me and she’s done that since day one.

“Uh, since I graduated high school.”

“Oh my, Laila! You haven’t been home in seven years?! I’m not your mom and I don’t want to tell you what to do, but honey, if you don’t book a flight home and spend time in that cute little town a’ yours. Matter of fact, I’ll book the flight because I know you won’t do it. I’ll text you the details. As far as today goes, you get out of here and go home to start packing.” Senator Mitchell shoos me out of her office, not bothering to wait for my rebuttal.

I enter my office and gather my things before making my way to the elevator and going home. As much as I love my job, I want nothing more than to return to the happiness my bed has to offer.

“Hey Apple Pie! I have a favor to ask you!” My mom says when I answer her phone call. I was obsessed with apple pies as a kid and after she called me Apple Pie the first time, it stuck.

“If it involves searching through the pipes to get your earring, it’s a hard no.” I would’ve rather jumped in the ocean to search for the earring than spend two hours under the sink in the middle of the summer. That happened when I was in high school and I still remember how miserable that was.

“No, nothing like that. I have to travel out of state for a few months and since you’re done with the legislative session, I wanted to see if you could come home and house-sit for the summer. I don’t want to impose on you or your plans, so if you say no, I won’t be mad or upset.”

“Did Senator Mitchell call you?” I ask, curiosity in my voice.

“No. Was she supposed to?” my mom questions, confusion in her tone.

“Nope. When do you need me there?”

She sighs happily. “Thank you, honey! I’m leaving at the end of the week, but you come on down when you are ready and able! I know you have to get Nola squared away along with yourself.”

Just as I’m about to respond, my phone vibrates with a new text message. I open it and see that a flight has been booked for me and Nola that heads out at six in the morning. I smile and send Senator Mitchell a quick thank you text before going back to the conversation with my mom.

“I’ll be there tomorrow night. I’m about to start packing my stuff and Nola’s.”

“Oh wow! I’m glad this worked out! Text me your flight plans and I’ll be there to get you!”

“Nola!” I shout for my puppy, smiling at the sound of her tiny feet skating against the floor. When she appears at my feet, I toss a treat down to her.

“How do you feel about taking a vacation in Oakridge?”

She ignores me and continues to nibble on her treat.

“Great. I’ll get your stuff packed.”

Chapter Three

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