By Design by J. A. Armstrong

answered the request. Jameson’s kiss
was so tender that Candace thought for a moment her heart might break from the connection
between them. The kiss continued, softly exploring, unhurried and searching. It
was as if Jameson were attempting to speak some truth without any words. When
Jameson began to pull back slowly ,
Candace kept her eyes closed. She felt Jameson’s hands caress her cheeks.
    Candace
opened her eyes slowly and looked at Jameson. “Jameson,” she said softly .
    Jameson
smiled. “I just wanted you to know,” she said.
    Candace
was about to respond when the door opened. “Hey,” Dana called to the pair. She
took note of Jameson’s hands as they dropped from Candace’s face. “I’m sorry.”
    Candace
moved in front of Jameson. “It’s all right, Dana.”
    “Vice
President Miller just arrived,” Dana explained.
    Candace
nodded. She looked back at Jameson apologetically. Jameson offered her an
understanding smile. “Go.”
      “I … ”
    “I’ll
see you later,” Jameson promised.
    Candace
nodded again and walked past Dana in the doorway. Jameson closed her eyes,
already missing the older woman’s presence. “I’m sorry,” Dana said sincerely.
    Jameson
opened her eyes and smiled. “It’s okay. I just needed her to know.”
    ***
    “Hey,”
Candace caught up to Jameson. Jameson smiled. “ You
are leaving with the lovebirds?” she asked kiddingly.
    “Looks
like it,” Jameson said.
    Candace
tried unsuccessfully to smile. She desperately wanted to say something
meaningful to Jameson. Emotions and questions were running through her at such
an overwhelming pace; she thought that
she might drown in them. She looked up at Jameson helplessly. “When are you
headed home?” she finally asked.
    “Monday,”
Jameson answered. “When are you leaving for Marianne’s?”
    “Monday
morning.”
    Jameson
forced a small smile. She looked ahead to Steven as he opened the car door for
Dana. “Looks like my chariot is waiting.” Candace smiled weakly. “Merry
Christmas, Candace,” Jameson said with a quick kiss to the senator’s cheek.
    “Jameson?”
Candace reached out for the younger woman’s arm. Jameson stopped. Candace lost
her courage. “Merry Christmas.” Jameson winked and headed for the car. Candace
watched her climb into the backseat and waved to the threesome as Steven hopped
into the driver’s seat and shut the door. She watched from the doorway for a
moment, wishing she could follow rather than return to the guests that waited
for her inside. Why didn’t she say something; anything? Candace wrapped her
arms around herself to stave off the December chill. She walked back to the door with one final glance down the
street. With a deep sigh, she returned to the
world she knew best.
    ***
    Candace
mingled for a few minutes. She found herself wandering back toward her study.
She walked into the room and covered her face with her hands. She should call Jameson and say something. “What are you going to
say, Candy?” she chuckled to herself. “You know this is a bad idea.”
    “Now,
what on earth is the host hiding from?” a low voice beckoned.
    Candace
turned around and painted on a contrived smile. “Rachel,” she greeted the
woman.
    Rachel
Hutton had been a partner in Candace’s ex-husband’s law firm. She was six years
younger than Candace, tall, slender, blonde, and nothing short of aggressive
both in and out of the courtroom. “Bored?” Rachel asked.
    “I
wouldn’t say that,” Candace answered.
    Rachel
took a step closer. “It’s never easy to endure these things alone,” she said
seductively.
    Candace
sighed. This situation had the potential to devolve into an uncomfortable mess
quickly. “I manage,” she said lightly.
    “Why
only manage?” Rachel asked suggestively.
    ***
    “Oh
shit!” Dana sighed in frustration.
    “What’s
wrong?” Steven asked.
    “I
forgot my damn handbag.”
    Steven
sighed through a chuckle. “I’ll turn around.”
    “On
with