31. Adrian

The room is deafening as everyone celebrates Jamie's win. The volunteers and donors are cheering. There are several loud pops in the corner—most likely the sound of Prosecco being opened. Mina lets out a loud whoop as she high-fives Daniel. Jamie beams as he's crushed into a hug by both of his parents. Riley's daughter Julie is throwing confetti in the air, and Jamie's perpetually grumpy chief of staff doesn't even seem to mind when some gets in his hair. Everyone seems to be on their own version of cloud nine, and I don't know how I feel.

Jamie parts from his parents, and he looks at me, a grin plastered on his face. There's something guarded about it, though. But I smile back and pull him into a hug of my own. Relief courses through me the moment I feel his arms wrap around my waist.

He won. Jamie won. He gets to keep his position in Congress, which means he'll be staying in DC—at least, he will be for a good portion of the year. He'll still have to come back here to North Carolina to maintain his relationship with his district. But he'll have to return to DC. He isn't leaving.

"Congratulations, baby," I murmur as I hold him a little tighter.

After a few seconds, he steps back and takes my hand. "Follow me."

I furrow my brow, but let him lead me toward the stairs. "What's going on? Where are we going?" I ask once we're in the silent stairwell. I'm grateful for the reprieve from the overstimulation on the other side of the door we just came through, but he just won the election. He should be celebrating with all of the people that helped him get there, not hiding out with me.

He turns and faces me as he drops my hand and shoves his into his pockets. "I've been trying to talk to you all night. I figured now that this is all over and I've won, you might finally stop avoiding me."

I can't help but wince at his clipped tone.

He blows out a frustrated breath and runs a hand through his hair. "Sorry, that was a little harsh. It's just—ever since the night of the debate, I feel like you've been pulling away, and it's been driving me kind of insane. I thought I could chalk it up to us being physically separated. But tonight, every time I've tried to get you alone, you've brushed me off."

I look down as guilt settles in the pit of my stomach. "I know, I'm sorry."

"I don't want you to apologize, Adrian. I want you to talk to me. I want you to look at me," he says, emphasizing the last words. "Please?"

My breath catches at the vulnerability in his voice, and I lift my gaze to his.

"Did I do something wrong?"

My head is shaking before the full question is out. Fuck, I have no idea what I'm doing, but I can't let him think my fear is his fault. "No, it has nothing to do with you. This is all me."