When Love Calls Read Free

obviously still upset.
    “I’m just saying…” he proclaimed, glancing up and noticing Senator Kingsley scanning the room, obviously looking for someone.
    “What am I going to do, Nina? The whole idea of coming here tonight was to make a good impression on the man.”
    Oliver continued to watch the senator look around. “You know, I kind of think you might have made that good impression, ’cause if I’m not mistaken—”
    “Oliver, please,” Alyssa said. “Okay, what do we do? How do we salvage this?”
    “Okay, let me think,” Nina said as the two of them moved away again, then put their heads together.
    Oliver followed them, noticing that the senator’s eye followed them, as well. He smiled, enjoying the cat-and-mouse game being played, even though the two mice had no idea that the cat was watching them. “You know, maybe you don’t need to do anything. Maybe—”
    “Shh.” Nina silenced him once again, then turned back to Alyssa.
    “Alyssa—” Oliver began.
    “Oliver, please, this isn’t a good time.”
    “You’re right, maybe now isn’t exactly a good time. I’m sorry,” he said, chuckling and looking beyond them, seeing Senator Kingsley moving through the crowd and making his way in their direction with his eyes on a single target. “But you might want to—”
    “Oliver, please, this is serious,” Alyssa said.
    “I’m sure it is, but still, you might—”
    “Come on, give her a break, can’t you see she’s upset?” Nina said, turning to Oliver and handing him the empty glass.
    “Alyssa, I’m sure that whatever happened with the good senator was nothing,” he said, smiling openly.
    “What are you still doing here? Go away,” Nina said.
    “Nina, the man must think I’m crazy. I pour a drink on him and call him a jerk, then elbow him in the ribs as I walk away.”
    “Alyssa, please tell me you’re joking. You assaulted him, too?”
    She frowned. “Not joking, but in my defense, he was a total jerk at the time.”
    “You’re absolutely right. I was, and I do apologize.” The seductive voice behind her sent an instant wave of warmth through her.
    “Is that—Is he…” Alyssa asked, whispering to her friend and pointing over her shoulder.
    Nina nodded slowly while smiling and looking up. “Good evening, Senator Kingsley. How are you, sir?”
    “Fine, thank you, Nina Hall,” he said, glancing at her name tag.
    “Oliver Watts, sir, good to meet you. I’m a huge fan.”
    “Good to meet you, Oliver.” They shook hands, and then the senator redirected his attention. “Excuse me, we didn’t actually meet back there. I’m Senator Randolph Kingsley, and you are…”
    Alyssa turned slowly, regretting the next few minutes. Their eyes met.
    He smiled. “You’re slouching,” he said, tilting his head to the side while looking at her chest area.
    “Oh, sorry, I…” Alyssa said, straightening up instantly, taking a deep breath and thrusting her breasts forward.
    He smiled, and tried hard not to chuckle, then pointed to her lapel. “Uh, no, I meant that your name tag is kind of slouching.” He tilted his head again to try and read the small badge attached to her lapel. “Sundari Adia Nomalanga, that’s a unique name. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it before. Is it African or Indian?”
    “Actually it’s both.”
    “Does it have a meaning?” he asked.
    Oliver and Nina looked at each other and rolled their eyes, knowing that this would definitely get them all kicked out of the reception.
    “Yes, it does. Sundari is Hindu and it means beautiful one. Adia is Swahili and it means gift from God. And Nomalanga is Zulu and it means sunny. ”
    “How appropriate,” he said as his eyes lit up.
    Oliver and Nina glanced at each other again, exchanging a sly smile.
    “Sir, a clean tie, and they’re ready for you over here.” A man stepped up to the senator quietly, handing him a duplicate of the slightly stained tie he wore.
    He nodded. “Thanks. Kent Larson,