do the same and meet you back here in the lobby.”
For once, there was no line in the ladies’ room, and she soon finished her business and stepped out. Not seeing Jorge, she walked over to one of the many storefronts and perused the items in the window.
“Josie?”
Turning, she spied a group of men, then recognized the one hustling toward her. “Bert!” She opened her arms and they hugged.
When they separated, he glanced around and then looked at her, his head cocked to the side. “What are you doing here?”
“I just had dinner with a… um…”
Bert’s eyes focused just behind her, and she turned in time to see Jorge as he slipped his arm around her, giving her a squeeze. Thrusting his right hand toward Bert, he said, “I’m Josie’s date, Jorge Cobb.”
Bert slowly lifted his hand in response, his eyes narrowed until he blinked, his head jerking back. “Governor Cobb’s son?”
Suddenly, Bert was pumping Jorge’s hand up and down, his smile huge, and Josie noticed a group of men that had been standing near Bert moved in behind him, their eyes alight with interest. Seeing her cousin and his friends’ reactions, it struck Josie that she was no longer surprised that Jorge had not given his name at his father’s gala when they met.
She loved her cousin but now felt self-conscious as she witnessed how Bert’s demeanor changed from a suspicious glare to suddenly shaking Jorge’s hand with great enthusiasm. She watched him smile politely and wondered if this was something he was used to.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by Bert’s friends, pressing forward to be introduced. None too soon, the friends drifted away toward the casino, and Bert turned his attention back to her. He grinned as he inclined his head toward the casino door and said, “We were just heading in for an evening of fun. Would you two like to join us?”
“No, thank you. We’re going to head home.” She loved the feel of Jorge’s hand on her back, his fingers flexing. She instantly knew that he was glad of her answer.
Bert leaned down and kissed her cheek, whispering, “We need to talk, Josie cuz. You’ve been holding out on me.”
She hoped Jorge had not heard her cousin’s comment but offered a heartfelt hug. “Things have been crazy lately. We’ll try to have lunch soon.”
“Sooner than later.” Bert tapped her nose and winked before following his friends into the casino.
She and Cobb walked out of the resort, his fingers finding hers, and she avoided his gaze. They’d made it halfway to the parking lot when suddenly, he stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders, angling her body so that she faced him. Repeating the action Bert had made, he used his knuckle to lift her chin so that her eyes were on his, but unlike her cousin, he was gentle.
“I can’t tell what’s going on in your mind, Josie.”
“I don’t know. I mean, I do, but it’s embarrassing.” Her shoulders hefted slightly in a shrug, and she sighed.
“Embarrassing?”
“Yes. I love my cousin dearly. He’s been like a brother to me. But that in there was embarrassing. I felt like he was barely looking at you until he realized who you were. And all I could think of was it’s no wonder you didn’t give me your last name when we first met.”
“Josie, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Honestly, if that wasn’t your cousin, people would’ve been just as impressed with your last name as mine. We both know what it’s like to have parents in politics.”
She nodded slowly. “It can be exciting, and it can be so intrusive. I don’t share all of my father’s views, and yet people expect that I am nothing more than an extension of him.”
“And sometimes people want to be around us because they wonder what we can do for them.”
Her eyes widened as she nodded. “Yes, exactly.” She hadn’t realized it but her hands had found their way to his waist, her fingers gripping his shirt. “I understand the appeal you talked about of the military and then your job and home in Maine. You can be proud of your father, remember your heritage, but want to carve out your own place in the world.”
His smile widened, pushing out the embarrassment and filling her with warm acceptance. He leaned in to kiss her, this time keeping it soft and light. As he pulled her in for a hug, his arms tightening around her, he said, “Don’t be embarrassed