When Love Calls Read Free Page A

meet Ms. Sundari Adia Nomalanga, Ms. Nina Hall and Mr. Oliver Watts.”
    Kent looked at each in turn, shaking hands and nodding after each introduction. “Nice to meet you all,” he said, then refocused his attention on Randolph. “They’re waiting over here.”
    “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Hall, Mr. Watts, Ms. Sundari Adia Nomalanga. Excuse me.”
    “Uh, one thing, Senator. I’d like to meet with you possibly to discuss Social Security reform with respect to—”
    “Senator, this way, please,” Kent said.
    Alyssa frowned when he turned away. “—to discuss…”
    He turned back to her while reaching into his pocket to get a card. “Call me at the office. We’ll talk.”
    “This way, sir,” Kent said, guiding him through the crowd toward the center.
    “Now, that’s an impressive man,” Nina said breathlessly, smiling.
    “Absolutely. I must have been insane to think that I could just walk up and talk to him,” Alyssa said. “I thought I was prepared, but I don’t think there’s enough preparation for him. Talk about charismatic.”
    “He’s smooth and just too cool,” Nina added.
    “Hey, what am I, chopped liver?” Oliver chimed in.
    “Who are you?” Nina finally asked. “Alyssa, who is this person? Do you actually know him?”
    “Sorry, Nina Hall, friend and coworker, meet Oliver Watts, next-door neighbor when we were growing up.”
    “And close personal friend,” Oliver added. “Hellooo, Nina.” His smile was broad and genuine.
    Nina sized him up instantly, then, knowing Alyssa’s age and seeing that Oliver was a few years younger, came to two likely conclusions. “Babysat or tutored?”
    “Both,” Alyssa said, still looking through the crowd to hopefully spot the senator again.
    “Excuse me, I take exception to the term babysat. Alyssa and I hung out together.”
    “Come on, that’s all we can do here tonight,” Alyssa said, slightly disheartened.
    “What, we’re not staying?” Oliver said as a waiter walked by with a tray of hors d’oeuvres. He quickly grabbed three crab cakes and a napkin.
    “We’re going. You can stay,” Nina tossed over her shoulder as she followed Alyssa.
    Oliver popped the first crab cake into his mouth and followed them outside. “Where are you parked?” he asked.
    “Across the street over there, next to that art gallery, why?” Nina asked suspiciously.
    “Great.” He popped the second crab cake into his mouth. “I’m going that way, too. You may escort me.”
    “Is he kidding? Who are you exactly and why are you tagging along uninvited?”
    They started walking down the front steps, then paused to walk around a huge black sedan parked out front. “Now, that’s a car. If you have to travel, that’s the way to do it,” Oliver said, nodding his head approvingly.
    “It’s probably the senator’s,” Nina said.
    They walked around it, then paused again for traffic before crossing the street. They headed for the parking lot, and then both Nina and Alyssa stopped short when they came to the art gallery’s front display. There in the window was a poster-size photo of Oliver, smiling, charmingly boyish.
    “Oliver?” Alyssa said, surprised.
    “Oh, that’s right, I knew there was someplace else I was supposed to be tonight. Must have gotten my directions crossed. Come on, let’s check it out, it might be fun,” he said, then stepped between them, grasped both women’s arms and escorted them inside.
    “Oliver, Oliver,” a taut prissy woman shrieked, near hysterics, as soon as they entered. “Where have you been? I was worried sick that you might have taken off again like last time. Oh, never mind, you’re here now. Come, come, come. There are dozens of patrons here who are dying to meet you. Come on, I’ve already sold six paintings, so a grand appearance from you wouldn’t go unnoticed.”
    “You can thank these two lovely ladies for getting me here safely,” Oliver declared.
    Then, almost as an afterthought, she