Page 92 of Longing for Liberty
He let out a low breath. “Thankfully not.”
“Still.” My emotions were surface-level, and I fought back tears. “You shouldn’t have to—” I sniffed hard, fighting for control.
“I’m grown, and this is not my first rodeo. Don’t worry about me.” His flamboyant southern voice had disappeared.
I nodded, though I hated what he was saying.
“Wipe your eyes,” he told me. I did, touching carefully around the makeup. Thankfully, the eyeliner and mascara were waterproof.
“You must be very trusted to be sent to get me.”
My eyes scanned the elevator. I believed Amos that there were no cameras, but it still felt dangerous talking.
“I think it’s more of a test since I’m not one of them. I’m just the Secretary’s maid, but I…yeah.”
His eyes went wide as he stared. “You’reher.”
I said nothing, wondering if he was confused, and then I remembered what Kathy had told me. To my surprise, the man suddenly bent down and crushed me in a hug, smelling of sweetness. How long had it been since someone hugged me in a non-romantic way? Long enough to make me pause awkwardly before I hugged him back, and my eyes watered again. When he let me go, he studied my face and shook his head.
“How have you made it this long?” He ran his thumbs under my eyes, and I let out an embarrassed laugh. “But maybe that’s exactly why it worked,” he pondered in a whisper before looking at the panel on the side. “Which floor?”
My belly swooped. I didn’t want to leave this stranger whose name I didn’t even know. But I had work to do. As I pressed the button, I looked at him.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
The question seemed to surprise him, but he finally answered. “Autry Burton. And you’re Lady Liberty.”
That made me blush for some reason. “Well, Autry, if all goes well, you should have a quiet night.”
His eyes narrowed, and he said, “Hm,” eyeing me in question. “Well then, miss lady, I hope it all goes well.”
We reached his floor, and our eyes locked in a loud silence before the door opened. I stood there, not wanting to leave him, but he gave me a nod, and I let him in, knowing I had one more reason to do what I needed to do.
FORTY-THREE
STATE NEWS: VP WALINGER TO PRAY OVER THIS YEAR’S BABIES AT THE AUTUMN CHILD DEDICATION CEREMONY!
“Liberty.”Amos was right there waiting for me when the elevator doors opened, music blasting and lights flickering. He looked me over and nearly shouted over the volume, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him.
“We should go.” He took me by the elbow to lead me back into the elevator, but I dug my heels in, panic splaying its fingers across my chest.
“Already?”
Amos’s eyes darted around us. “These gatherings can get out of control quickly.”
I took his hand and smiled up at him. “Just a tiny bit longer? I like the music.”
His gaze darted again, and I saw his chest rise and fall in a sigh. “Not too long.”
I smiled. “Want to dance?”
“Absolutely not.”
I giggled, and this earned one of his slow, side grins, which used to make my tummy wobble but now did nothing except reassure me that I had him where I needed him.
“Let’s get you another drink then,” I said.
