“Bad guy like what, some criminal mastermind? The mafia? Drug cartel?” Logan asked.
“A Congressional staffer who was looking to accumulate power for himself and his boss,” she said.
“Ugh, the worst,” Logan said, “Evil and boring. Let’s get back to something more interesting. Did you do research on me before you got here? Do I have a file?”#p#分页标题#e#
Callie nodded. “Yes. Also I was given explicit instructions not to fall for you.”
“Is that right? I thought you were joking when you said that earlier. Have you fallen for me?”
“I wasn’t. And I think you know how I feel about you.”
“But it’s nice to hear anyway,” Logan said.
“What else did you want to know?” she asked.
“I’m making note that you didn’t answer the question. Let’s try it another way. What did you think when you first saw me?”
“Outside the guesthouse?”
“Yeah. Well, we did meet once before that at your sister’s wedding. It was only in passing, but let’s talk about the guesthouse instead.”
Callie blushed a bit as she thought of the rush of emotions Logan had evoked. “I thought you were a jerk. A cute jerk, but definitely a jerk.”
“You thought I was cute?” he said. “That’s good to know.”
“What did you think of me?” Callie asked.
“I didn’t think anything,” he replied.
“I thought we were being honest here. You’re telling me that when you saw me, you didn’t have a single impression?”
“As soon as our eyes met, my mind went blank, and I still have no idea what I said or did for the rest of that conversation.” Logan smiled as he looked at Callie’s face. His expression softened. “But I do remember that after standing there, stunned by you, I thought you were beautiful.”
Callie leaned over the picnic basket and kissed Logan, a warm, soft kiss, short and to the point. She smiled as she savored the warmth of his lips, but Logan pulled back and cleared his throat.
“Hey, I’m not done with the questions yet. I don’t want you thinking you can kiss me into submission.” He paused for a moment and looked around before adding, “Ok, I’m actually alright with you thinking that.”
Callie straightened her posture and crossed her arms. “If you’d rather play twenty questions, I understand.”
Logan looked around again. “You know what I’d really like to do?” he asked. Callie knew exactly what he wanted.
“No, absolutely not. We’re in public.”
“Why not?” he asked. “I don’t see anyone around.”
“I think we’d be better off if we waited until we were somewhere a little more private.” Callie reached for her glass of wine and took a long, slow sip. “Let’s try to enjoy this beautiful day.”
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.”
Callie shook her head. “I meant with our clothes on.”
Logan winked. “I’m sure we can find a way.”
“Back to the questions it is,” she said.
“Yeah? Ok. I can keep going. Why does it matter if I get in the press? How does anything I do have any impact on what Congress does? I mean I know guys in Congress, they have their own problems to deal with without worrying about mine.”
“I think that’s the point. If you get in trouble, then a few key votes will disappear, and the bill won’t make it through. It’s being held up in Congress by the Natural Resources Committee anyway. So I never understood the point of coming here, aside from treating this like a vacation.”
“What was the committee again?” Logan asked.
“Natural Resources, why?” Why was Logan asking about Congressional Committees?
“Ha, I guess I know why any news about me could affect the vote. It really is a small world.”
“Care to share?” He definitely had Callie’s interest now.
“Ever heard of Jack Coburn?” he asked.
“The golden boy, the last great hope of the Coburn political dynasty? The one who happens to be sponsoring the bill?”
“Well, I don’t think Jack would say it exactly like that,” Logan said.
“You’re telling me that you’re on a first name basis with Jack Coburn? No offense, Logan but you two don’t exactly seem like you move in the same circles.”
“Not any more, but I still try to make it out to his family compound on the Cape for the 4th of July every year. Obviously I didn’t make it this year, but he was my college roommate and still is a good friend. Our families go way back. His father, John, and my father worked together opening up South American markets for oil exploration. After John left the Senate, they started a venture together, and both made a lot of money. They had a falling out years back, but our mothers remained close. I think it had all started at one of their famous parties. You know his family’s reputation for partying. Anyway, Jack was a wild man back in the day. It’s still strange hearing people call him Congressman. When I knew him, he wanted to be a poet or a professional tennis player. God, I should really give him a call. I’ve been meaning to touch base with him for ages.”