Rumor Has It (25 page)

“Is that smart?”

“Who cares? Liza, these past few days without you have been hell.”

She groaned and started to tell him that didn't even describe how lonely she'd felt without him. But she wasn't going to blink. What had she done to deserve this blackout from him? Yes, the public relations professional inside her knew what he did made the most sense. The rumors, the ties to Robert, her feud with Chante—it was a distraction. But the woman who was falling for Jackson Franklin wanted to be in his arms. Wanted him beside her when she had a tough day and wanted to hear him telling her that everything would be all right.

“Jackson,” she began, “wouldn't it be better for your career if you just continued ignoring me? It was fun while it lasted but I don't want you to ever look back and say, ‘I could have if it weren't for her.'”

“I'd never think of you like that. If I win or lose, it has nothing to do with you. Unless you don't vote for me.”

“Well, you know damned well I'm not voting for your competition.”

“How have you been holding up through all of this? I mean, you lost a lot during this election cycle.”

“My two best friends, my reputation, and my heart,” she said, then immediately regretted that last part.

“Your heart, huh?”

“That came out wrong,” she said. “I-I . . .”

“You can lie to yourself, Liza, but don't lie to me. I know what I feel for you isn't one-sided. And I did lose my heart.”

“Then why am I the only one feeling as if mine is broken?” Her voice was low and she felt tears welling up in her eyes.

“That's the last thing I want you to feel. I need you, Liza, and I'm willing to tell anyone who has a problem with that where they can go.”

“Maybe I don't want this,” she said, though the lies burned her lips. “When you win this election, you're going to be spending more time in Raleigh than you will be in Charlotte. You're going to face more scrutiny, and then when you start trying to get controversial bills passed the lobbyists are going to come after you. I don't want to be caught up in the crossfire—and then there are the groupies.”

“Whoa. You've just laid out my political life as if you have a crystal ball attached to your MacBook.”

“I'm just saying I expect big things from you and big things don't happen without a little controversy and a lot of sacrifice.”

“Then I'm going to need you on my side to help me steer clear of that type of thing and by my side to make me feel better when my bills get voted down.”

“Like Olivia Pope? I don't think so.”

“No. Like Liza Palmer-Franklin.”

“What?”

“I don't think I could be any clearer,” he replied. His laugh vibrated in her ear and made her body tingle.

“That sounded like you want to fake a marriage.”

“Baby girl, I don't do fake. But if I'm going to ask you to be a part of this intrusive new life I'm about to have, I can't just ask my girlfriend to do it.”

“Girlfriend? I didn't even think we'd gotten that far. No, wait, we did, because you did dump me.”

“I didn't dump you. I just needed to focus.... You know what, I let you down and I will never let that happen again.”

“That's what you say now. But . . .”

“I'm giving you my word, and in this world, that's all I have.”

Liza sighed and toyed with the frayed edge of her blanket. “Don't you have to get up early in the morning?”

“Yeah, but I'm not hanging up this phone until I know that we're okay and you're going to join me after you vote so that we can monitor the returns together.”

“All right,” she said. “I'll be happy to watch the returns with you. And I guess I need to get those flowers and cupcakes.”

“And don't forget the kisses.”

“As I recall, that was only if you won, right?”

Jackson chuckled again. “And you think I won't?”

“I know you will. I'll call you after I cast the winning vote for you,” she said. “Good night, Jackson.”

“Sweet dreams, Liza.”

After hanging up, sleep didn't come easy for Liza. Was Jackson serious with all that talk of . . . Nah! She was going to chalk it up to his nerves. Why would he spend all of this time away from her and just jump to marriage? That didn't make sense. Love stories like that didn't happen to her. Granted, she knew he wasn't trying to use her to gain voters. Hell, most people would probably turn away from him if they knew about their relationship. Relationship. Is that what this thing was?

Groaning, she rolled over on her stomach. This was even more confusing than ever.

Chapter 28

Jackson hopped out of bed at five A.M. After hanging up with Liza, he didn't sleep more than three hours. Had he lost his mind when he quasi-proposed to her? Did he mean it? Yes. He wanted to spend his life with her and he would tell the world that, but was he ready to trust Liza with his heart? He only questioned himself because the last time he felt this way about a woman, he was the one who ended up heartbroken and on the verge of suicide. Things were different this time. He wasn't returning home from war. He actually knew more about Liza than he'd known about Hillary. He knew Liza was kind, sweet, daring, and loyal. Loyalty meant a lot to him. Maybe that was why he'd fallen for her as quickly as he had. He didn't care what Teresa or anyone else thought about him being with Liza.

And he didn't plan on explaining himself to anyone. But would his love for her make what he'd worked for all these months in vain? Jackson had to tell himself that it wasn't a forgone conclusion that he was going to win today. Maybe voters would still choose Montgomery over him. He was the typical Charlotte politician and people voted for what they knew. Maybe his last few weeks of campaigning had connected with voters. He'd actually stuck to the issues, stopped with the rumors about Liza, and talked about his life growing up in foster care. He'd even made a pledge to fix the broken system.

That probably gained inroads with voters. But Jackson knew Robert was a snake and he felt as if his promises were hollow and full of lies.
Robert wants to win and he'll do anything to do so
, Jackson thought as he got out of the shower.

It was now five-thirty and he had to meet with the volunteers who were going to be handing out literature about him at the polling precincts. He grabbed a banana and put a K-Cup in his Keurig coffeemaker. He smiled as he drank the single cup of coffee and silently thanked Teresa for buying the system for him. After eating the banana, he headed upstairs and dressed. It took him about ten minutes to drive to his voting place, and when he arrived, Teresa was there with the press.

“Good morning,” she said when he crossed over to her. “Senator elect.”

“Getting a little ahead of yourself ?” he quipped.

“Got to believe it and put it in the universe. Are you holding up all right?”

Jackson shrugged, then smiled as he saw the news crew coming their way. “Let the show begin.” He walked into the precinct and smiled at the women at the table who recognized him and explained the voting process to him. He could tell they were being a little extra for the camera, but it was all right.

It felt funny to vote for himself and to see his name on the ballot. But this was what he'd worked for. This was why he'd sacrificed and worked the long hours. Now, all he could do was wait for the payoff. He hoped that he'd done enough to win the support of the voters of the district.

 

 

Liza cursed as the heel on her shoe snapped the second she walked out the door. She had been hoping to avoid the long lines at her voting place. Actually, she wanted to see Jackson sooner, rather than later. And she'd watched him on the news casting his vote and then heading out with his band of supporters. Jackson was probably going to hit all of the voting places in the city. And as much as she didn't want to think about it, she figured Robert would as well. She wanted to avoid that asshole at all costs.

Who knew that today she would actually be rooting for someone else when this had been something she and Robert had dreamed of for years and planned out as undergrads like most girls planned their dreamed wedding.

Kicking her shoe off, she groaned. Liza wished that she could've made peace with Robert and Chante. More Chante than Robert. She headed back inside and changed her shoes, then decided to call her sorority sister.

This feud and anger had gone on long enough. Dialing Chante, Liza silently prayed her friend would listen to her.

“Hello?”

“Chante?”

“Who else is going to answer my phone?”

“How are you?” Liza asked, feeling at a loss for words.

“Well, lucky for you, I was about to go for a run; otherwise you would've been waking me up. What do you want, Liza?”

“I miss you and . . .”

“Liza, I've been thinking about everything that's happened over these last few months and I've been a hard person to get along with.”

Not wanting to voice her agreement, Liza simply listened as Chante continued. “If I were you,” Chante said, “I'm not sure if I'd keep reaching out.”

“We've been friends too long to let misunderstandings—”

“And Robert.”

Liza laughed. “And Robert to come between us. That interview with Ramona . . .”

“I know. It wasn't something that you did. I know how reporters work, and I guess it's just that the question hurt me because I should've listened to you. I know who you are and that you had my best interest at heart. If I look foolish, it's my fault.”

“You're not the first woman to be taken in by a lying man.”

“That doesn't make it any better. He's out here trying to further his career, I'm still suspended from the firm, and there's nothing I can do but lick my wounds until all of this passes.”

“Have you voted today?”

“Hell no, and I might not. Then again,” she said with a click of her teeth, “I'm going to vote for your boy Jackson and pray that I'm the one vote that makes Robert lose.”

“Glad to see that you're going to do your civic duty,” Liza said with a laugh. “I wish we had a reset button on all of this. I would've stopped with the matchmaking, stayed out of politics, and probably wouldn't be thought of as a call girl in some circles.”

“That is tough. If you want to sue, I'll take the case.”

“Are you all right moneywise?”

“Yeah. I've got everything under control on that aspect, but I'm bored. So, if you know of anyone who needs a lawyer or if you need to sue the hell out of somebody call me.”

“I think you need a vacation,” Liza said.

“Maybe you're right. I've been meaning to go see my grandmother in Charleston. She's doing some renovations on her house, and I could go down there and make sure the contractors aren't taking advantage of her and the work is getting done in a timely manner.”

“Or you could just go relax.”

Chante laughed. “Hello? I think my phone is broken—Elizabeth Palmer just told me to relax? When is the last time you took your own advice? Still sleeping with your MacBook? Oh, wait, you have Jackson now—right?”

“Well,” Liza began, “it's been a little complicated lately.”

“I hate politics,” Chante said. “All right, I'm going for my run. Want to meet for breakfast?”

“Sounds good. I'll call you after I vote.”

Once she and Chante said good-bye, Liza headed out. Arriving at her polling place, she saw Jackson and a group of volunteers handing out literature and shaking hands with voters. When she locked eyes with Jackson, he winked at her while talking to an elderly man. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks. He looked so handsome in his dark blue suit and red tie. He looked like a senator. He looked delicious. Glancing to her right, she saw Robert's car pulling into the parking lot.

“Damn,” she muttered as she watched him get out of the car. Nic pulled up behind him in a van with his own team of volunteers. Liza rolled her eyes and started for the entrance.

“Liza,” Nic called out. “I hope we can count on your vote.” His sarcasm wasn't missed, and as much as she wanted to flip him off, she was well aware of the news crews in the area and simply walked inside to vote for Jackson. This was one time that she wished she could vote twice.

 

 

Teresa rolled her eyes as she watched Robert and Nic set up shop. Jackson touched her shoulder. “Remember,
you
said we'd probably run into them today and this is one of the largest polling places in the district.”

“I don't always follow my own advice.”

Nic walked over to Teresa and smiled. “Good luck,” he said, then extended his hand to her. Teresa rolled her eyes and walked away. “Still bitter?”

“Mr. Hall,” Jackson said. “Don't you have your own candidate to assist right now?”

Nic smiled. “I'm just trying to be gentlemanly and wish you good luck, Mr. Franklin. You're probably going to need it.”

As Nic walked away, Jackson took a deep breath and braced himself for the reporters heading his way. It was time to shine and win over the last-minute voters. Robert was doing the same thing as well.

In the middle of his interview, Jackson noticed Liza walk out of the building and saw two reporters walk up to her. As much as he hoped she'd be left alone, he knew Liza was still considered a newsmaker.

“What has the turnout been like out here?” a reporter asked him, forcing him to focus on his own interview.

“It's been steady and it gives me hope that people are taking their civic duty very seriously. As we all know, in the next year or so, voting is going to be harder in North Carolina.”

“And if you win today, will that be something that you plan to fight against?”

“Absolutely,” Jackson said. “Now, if you will excuse me.” He headed over to a group of voters near Liza. Of course, he wanted to shake hands with them, and he planned to swoop in and save his woman if he needed to.

 

 

“Miss Palmer, you've been an interesting piece to this election,” the reporter said, and Liza fought to keep from rolling her eyes.

“I'm just a voter,” she replied with a smile.

“But you've been linked to both camps. Who won your support today?”

Liza folded her arms across her chest and didn't fight her frown. “We vote by secret ballot in this country for a reason. But, since you asked, I voted for the man who has been focused on the issues from the start of this election season. The man who is a hero but doesn't want credit for anything he does. I voted for the man who will go to Raleigh and won't be blinded by power, lobbyists, or the trappings that have brought down many men and women who were supposed to represent us. I voted for Jackson Franklin.”

“But weren't you saying the same things about Robert Montgomery a few months ago?” another reporter asked.

“I'm not perfect. I was wrong. Excuse me,” she said as she pushed through the reporters. Jackson reached out and touched Liza's arm.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Sure you want to be seen with me right now?” she asked.

“What did I say to you this morning? I haven't changed my mind,” Jackson said, then pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight hug. Cameras pointed in their direction and Liza closed her eyes.

“I hope this doesn't cost you the election.” She opened her eyes and saw the smirk on Nic's and Robert's faces.

Jackson stepped back from her. “Let's clear some things up with the media,” he said as he watched a group of reporters come their way.

“Mr. Franklin, are you and Miss Palmer now working together?” a reporter called out.

“No, we're not.”

Liza kept her face neutral, wondering what he was about to say. After all, he started the PDA and he was the one who had to answer for it.

“Then, what was the embrace about?” another reporter asked.

“While Liza and I are not working together professionally,” he said, then smiled at her, “we are very good friends. She's an important part of my life. I'd appreciate some privacy as Liza and I move forward.”

She could've been bowled over with a feather after hearing what Jackson said. Did he really just . . . “Liza? Any comment?” a reporter asked.

“No, nothing other than polls close at seven-thirty. Don't forget to get out and vote.” She and Jackson headed over to his volunteers, and it wasn't lost on her that the reporters had crossed over to Robert and his camp.

Teresa grabbed Jackson's arm. “Have you lost your damned mind?” she gritted.

“Teresa, I'm not going to—”

“Jackson,” Liza interjected. “Let me talk to Teresa, alone and away from the cameras.”

Teresa rolled her eyes and then nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”

The two women walked over to Liza's car and hopped inside. Liza glanced at Teresa as she started the vehicle. “Is Starbucks okay with you?”

“Fine,” she replied curtly.

“You don't like me very much.”

“I don't trust you and I've been doing this long enough to know that leopards don't change their spots overnight. Your history of supporting Montgomery goes a long way back. Hell, for all I know this was a huge setup to turn him into an underdog, and your PDA with my candidate . . .”

Liza burst out laughing. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But what part of this political circus makes sense for me? Why would I, someone who puts out PR fires, allow myself to be called a call girl, linked to the South Park Madam, and risk losing my best friend? What would be my end game?”

“A posh job in Raleigh, money, anything,” Teresa replied.

“I have money. I've never been political; hell, I failed my pol. sci. class at UNC.” She glanced at Teresa. “But you already know that.”

“Yes, I do. All right, Liza, let's cut the bullshit. How do you go from being a man's biggest supporter—I mean, you stood by him through more than a cheating scandal before—to supporting his political rival?”

“Because some people take years to realize that they've made a huge mistake. I just happen to be one of those people. I thought Robert was someone he wasn't. Honestly, he reminded me of a man who hurt me more than anyone in the world. . . .”