Less than a week later, Sara found herself once again seated across from Christopher. This time they weren't in a candle-lit restaurant, but rather in Senator Healy's office. As agreed, she had called Christopher directly after returning to Washington and set up a meeting with the senator in DC.
Now as the three of them sat there, Senator Healy explained the finer details of the education initiative he and Senator Kenny were pushing. Much to Christopher's credit, he asked insightful questions regarding how the new plan would be implemented and what kind of timetable would apply. Since he'd already told her he was on board, she guessed his questions had more to do with his genuine interest and not because he'd changed his mind.
“This is something I can support, so what exactly do you need me to do?” Christopher asked, directing his question to both her and Senator Healy.
“Just what we wanted to hear, right Sara?” David didn't give her an opportunity to answer before launching into his next sentence. “Money is always a must for these types of things, and we need to get the word out. People need to know about the proposed initiative and how it will benefit their children and grandchildren. Once the public is behind it, the senators and representatives will be more likely to vote in favor of it. We'd like you to do a few TV ads to promote the plan. Who better than you to be the spokesperson for it?”
Sara felt Christopher's eyes on her and couldn't stop herself from looking in his direction. Somehow she resisted the urge to squirm in her chair as his brown eyes remained fixed on her. “Everyone knows your history. People will be more open to someone like you who has used education to change his life rather than a Hollywood celebrity.” Prior to the meeting, she and David had discussed how best to sell their plan.
Christopher nodded once, his eyes never leaving her face. “You're probably right. But I think it'd be even more powerful if you did the ads with me. From a marketing point of view an ad with me and the President's daughter is ideal.”
“I agree, but Sara refuses to attach her name publicly to the plan.”
“She told me that, but maybe she'll reconsider.” Christopher looked directly at her. “What do you say Sara? Will you work on this with me? These ads will attach both our names to the plan. And you know the importance of this initiative. It's not like we're talking about some fluff piece of legislation. If this passes it would improve education for millions of children.”
This time she did squirm in her seat as a lead ball plummeted through her stomach not only at the thought of working with Christopher but at putting aside a personal rule she'd made when she joined David's staff. How could she work with someone she felt so uncomfortable around? Sure she respected the man. It'd be hard not to considering all he'd achieved. Plus he'd never once run to the paparazzi with a story about her family or her brother despite his connection, something a lesser man would've done without any hesitation. That didn't change what had happened between them.
He's not Phillip. She let her gaze trail over Christopher while his full attention was once again on the senator. The man across the table looked nothing like the man who'd tried to ruin her father's political career.
Memories of Christopher intervening when Phillip stopped her at the fundraiser came rushing back to her. If it hadn't been for him that night, there definitely would've been a scene. Phillip just couldn't take no for an answer.
“I agree with you Christopher, but she's been adamant about this one.” David's statement forced her to store away her thoughts of Christopher for the moment and concentrated on what he said. He was right. This education initiative would affect millions if it passed. And with Christopher on board too, it would no longer be just her name, attached which made her feel a little better about publicly endorsing it. But working with a man who she'd slept with seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. Why couldn't Christopher stick with her original plan?
Beneath the solid cherry conference table, Sara tapped a foot against the floor, the sound muffled by the thick rug as she made her decision. “If you both think it's necessary, the two of us can do it.” The words flowed from her mouth before she stopped to consider her exact word choice. Once the words escaped, Sara looked over at Christopher. There was no mistaking the heated gaze he threw her way before glancing down at his watch. A hot flush burned her face and she jotted down some notes on her legal pad to keep from looking at either man.
David slapped his hand on the table. Instantly, Sara jerked her head up.
“Excellent. I have contacts in Hollywood who are all set to start filming the commercial for us. They just need my final okay and you two.”
An argument against the new plan sat on the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn't get the words through her lips. Despite her uneasiness at working with Christopher and attaching her name to the initiative, she had to admit it was a good idea. If they showed their support together it would make a more powerful selling tool.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Christopher wrap his hands around a glass of water and raise it to his lips. He had such large hands, yet their night together they had been so gentle and smooth. No rough skin or calluses ruined his hands. Even from across the table she could see how short and clean he kept his nails. There were no ragged edges or torn skin. For half a second she closed her eyes almost able to feel his hands sliding down her back and up her legs again.
"If your people are ready for us, Sara and I can fly back to California together in a few days."
The momentary daydream went up in a puff of smoke when Christopher spoke.
"I think that can be arranged," David said before turning toward Sara. "Call Bruce Gordon, tell him everyone is on board and that we want to get started ASAP."
Sara nodded. "Won't they need time to write scripts?" She backed the senators’ proposed bill one hundred percent, but she wanted this done right. Ad campaigns took time and required the correct amount of preparation.
"Already prepared. I made a calculated guess that Christopher would agree. Before filming you can go over the scripts and adjust them as you see necessary," David answered, his usual confidence leaking into his words.
David's words didn't surprise her. If the senator had any characteristic in overabundance, it was confidence. Hence he always assumed people would fall in line with his plans. While she sometimes found it annoying, he wasn't the only politician to suffer that flaw. Even her father fell into that category from time to time. Sara shot a glance toward Christopher. Going by his expression, the senator’s assumption didn't shock him either.
"If we're through here, I'll contact Bruce." Sara uncrossed her legs and stood.
"We are for now,” David said.
After gathering up her notes, Sara left both men seated in the senator's office and returned to her office with a list of tasks.