Page 91 of Unforgettable
“You haven’t broken any rules. He’s gotten no negative press because of you.”
I opened a web browser on my phone and showed her the screen. The university paper was one thing, but the major news outlets were quite another.
She took my phone and paced as she read the headline from one of the big media outlets. “Senator Hale’s daughter knows how to work a room.”
I resumed folding. “Apparently, the major news outlets got ahold of the picture that was in the university paper of Ryker and me locked in that heated kiss. I believe someone sold that photo to the press.” My father had texted that web link to me at four in the morning then ended his text withArlene and I will be waiting for you.
I ground my molars together at the thought. Arlene was in for a treat.
Vicki jabbed a finger at my phone. “This cannot hurt his election.”
“It’s not just about his election. If he has to explain my actions, then I’m in the wrong. And it’s the principle of his rules. I broke them as he sees it.”
“At least you and Ryker look like you’re in love.”
I snorted. “Love and Ryker don’t mix, at least when it comes to women he takes to bed.”
“Ryker just hasn’t found the right woman until now.”
I loved her. She was making me feel so much better, although a tiny part of my heart cried. Ryker and I were like oil and water. As much as we tried to mix together, we would always separate or come apart because of the forces we didn’t have control over. Case in point: Senator Eugene Hale, Beverly Sims, Tabitha Sims, and their mother.
My downtrodden state of mind morphed into anger, and I itched to give those women a piece of my mind.
Vicki handed my phone back to me. “‘Some of the girls on the floor heard the argument Ryker had with your dad. Would he really ruin Ryker’s career?”
I bobbed my head. “He has the clout to.”
She twisted her blond-and-brown-streaked hair up on her head then secured it with a band she had around her wrist. “So the fundraiser?”
“I’m still planning on being part of it.” I would fight my father hard on that one. I didn’t see him arguing too hard. After all, I’d already told the university paper that he would donate ten grand. It would look bad on him if he backed out of that donation.
She gave me a bear hug. “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
I hugged her back as though she were the only friend I had. “The light in all this is that Ryker wants me to live with him.”
She squealed so loud, I swore the building shook. “And you are just now telling me this?” She paced. “Oh, this is great news.”
I dropped down onto my mattress. “Not really. My father would disown me for sure.”
She stuck her hands on her hips and lifted one eyebrow higher than the other. “Then let him,” she said seriously. “Do you want to move in with Ryker?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know if either of us are ready for that.”
On one hand, I got the feeling that Ryker’s offer was made to irritate my father. On the other, I believed he was serious.
“Of course, if you did,” Vicki said. “I would be super jealous. That means you would see Lucas all the time.”
“If I did, then you would have to visit every day,” I teased.
All of a sudden, her mind started working as her big brown eyes glazed over.
I waved a hand in front of her face. “Hello. I’m not moving in with Ryker.”
She shook off her daydream. “A guy only asks you to live with him if he has feelings for you. You know that, right?”
I was pretty good at reading people. So I wasn’t going to argue the point. But at the moment, I had to take care of family business before I could even think about Ryker James.
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