He studied the woman’s features again, almost convinced he knew her from somewhere. Had they met before? On the campaign trail, perhaps? Evidently, she possibly thought the same thing because he saw a flash of recognition in her eyes.
She left the production assistant and walked over to him. He stood upon her approach and when she reached him, she extended her hand. “Senator Malone, I’m not sure if you remember me.”
He tilted his head, wondering how any man could forget a woman who looked like her. “Your face looks familiar, but I just can’t place you at the moment.”
She chuckled. Roman thought even the sound of her soft laugh was sexy. “It’s been years so let me help. Your godparents, Jonathan and Marilyn Madaris, are my uncle and aunt. I’m Victoria Madaris.”
The moment she’d mentioned the name Madaris, he knew he’d seen her before. Probably at one of his godparents’ parties or cookouts. But that had to be quite some time ago. She was right. It had been years.
“Of course. I remember you now. And you’re right, it’s been years,” he said, finally releasing her hand.
“Yes, probably not since I was in my teens. Over the last few years, I was away at college a lot, getting both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Oklahoma and Florida. And when my uncle Jake and aunt Diamond held a fundraiser for you last year, I was out of the country. I heard it was a success and congratulations on being reelected to your senate seat.”
He liked the sound of her voice. “Thanks. You work here?”
“Yes. I’ve been here for almost two years now. I’m one of the hosts of the noonday show, Talk It Up. How are your parents and your sisters?”
“Everyone is doing fine. I saw the folks last week and I hope to see Erika and the twins, Spring and Summer, over the holidays. They’re coming home for Christmas. How is your family?”
“As far as I know, all the Madarises are great. I saw your parents at Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Jonathan’s last Christmas party.”
He nodded. “I haven’t attended one in a couple of years. I was hoping to attend the last one, but the senate had a special session that lasted through most of the holidays.”
“I understand. The one in December was the first I’d attended since leaving home for college. I was lucky and got a college roommate who enjoyed traveling as much as I did. We used our time out of school around the holidays to travel.” She chuckled and then added, “My family threatened to disown me if I didn’t start coming home more often.”
“Don’t feel bad because I love traveling, as well. Now as an elected official, I don’t get to do it as often, but I plan to get away for three weeks. My political manager found me a quiet place not far from here. A coastal town called Catalina Cove.”
“You’ll be in Catalina Cove for three weeks?”
“Yes, but I’m not telling a lot of people. I need some R and R so I’m keeping it on the down low. You’ve heard of the place?”
“Yes, in fact I live there. I stumbled on to it when I covered their seafood festival a couple of years ago and loved it. I decided it was worth the hour drive into work every day and was lucky enough to find a place to rent that was perfect for me.”
“How long have you lived there?”
“I moved in right before Christmas last year.”
He nodded. “Is the town as nice as my political manager claims?”
“Yes. I am definitely Team Catalina Cove. The people are friendly and respect a person’s privacy. So even if you are recognized, they will understand your desire to be left alone. And if you’re someone who likes to fish, which I am, then you’ll—”
“You like to fish?” he asked, surprised. Most women didn’t.
“I go fishing every chance I get, which means when I’m not working or sleeping, I’m on the dock with my pole. I’m Nolan Madaris Junior’s daughter, and I got to go on all Dad’s fishing trips with my brothers. Fishing relaxes me.”
Roman smiled. “It relaxes me as well, and I definitely need some relax time. Things have been crazy in DC.”
“Do tell. I’ve noticed the politicians have a lot going on.”
The politicians? “You say it like politicians is a bad word.”
She shrugged. “Wish I could apologize, but I can’t. They’re not my favorite people. No offense, Senator.”
“None taken, but one day you’ll have to tell me why.”
“Maybe one day I will.” She glanced at her watch. “I need to go to a meeting. Good luck on your interview, and maybe I’ll see you around in the cove. It was nice seeing you again.”
“It was nice seeing you again, as well, Victoria.”
Roman watched as she hurried off and noticed that she had an eye-popping walk in those stilettos. It was only when she rounded the corner and was no longer in sight that his heart stopped racing.
“They’ll be ready for you in five minutes, Senator Malone. Do you need anything?”
The perky production assistant’s question intruded into his thoughts. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell the woman that a cold shower would be nice right about now. Instead he said, “I’d like a glass of water, please.”
“Will a bottle of water be okay?”
“Sure.”
He watched her walk off, thinking she didn’t have that seductive bounce in her step like Victoria Madaris had. And there was no sway in her hips, either. He could tell Victoria’s walk wasn’t done to intentionally grab anyone’s attention. It just came naturally to her.
Just to think of all the Christmas parties Marilyn and Jonathan had given that he’d missed. He could easily envision what might have happened had their paths crossed at one of them. He would have definitely asked her out. But then, hadn’t she said she’d missed a number of those parties herself? Obviously, it hadn’t been meant for them to meet again until now.
“Here you are, Senator.” The production assistant handed him the bottled water.
“Thanks.” He unscrewed the top and took a long swig. He glanced at the woman and saw her watching him. “Is anything wrong?” He racked his brain trying to recall her name and was glad when he finally remembered it. “Terica?”
She quickly shook her head. “No, there’s nothing wrong. And they are ready for you now, Senator.”
Senator. A number of people addressed him as such, and he was okay with it. But for some reason he hadn’t cared much for it when Victoria Madaris had done so. If their paths crossed while he was in Catalina Cove, he would make sure she called him by his given name, Roman. For some strange reason he wanted to hear her say his name.