See part one for disclaimer and other important information.
***
C.J. flops down on her couch with the offensive book. She highly doubts that this intern had more than a fleeting glance at the President, but here she is mocking him by claiming she was the voice in the back of the Presidents head suggesting policy changes. If this is the first chapter, I can’t imagine what else she’s dreamed up.
Carol shakes C.J.‘s shoulder, “C.J. come on. You have a briefing in ten minutes.”
“Yeah, Carol I’m up, she responds sleepily and tries to rub her eyes, but finds her glasses in the way. She takes them off and sits up to discover Carol still hovering over her, “What?”
“Toby wants to see you after the briefing. There’s a new study on Marijuana that you need to read. The gaggle’s scheduled for two, staffs at 6:30, and you still need to read that book.”
“Carol”
“Hmm.”
“Go away.”
C.J. heads straight for the pain pills and then searches for her briefing book, “Carol, where’s my briefing book?”
“Here, some of us haven’t been sleeping,” she answers, adding a smile.
“Thanks Carol.”
C.J. takes a moment to put her game face on while Carol calls the two minute warning. She doesn’t know how to characterize how she feels right now. She’s completely comfortable with her sexuality and has had one night stands before, but Josh is like her brother and Will—that’s just weird.
She takes a deep breath and let’s the moment pass. There would be plenty of time to question her morality later. In front of the press—show no weakness.
***
“You wanted to see me.”
“Yeah, shut the door.”
“Good job on the briefing,” Toby says still shuffling through papers.
“Thanks.”
“So what’s up, pokey?” She flops down on the couch.
Toby tosses his pen onto his desk and scratches his head in a nervous manner, “Last night…”
“No---This is not happening.” She stands up, backing away.
“How is this different than the last time this happened?”
C.J. sits back down on the couch with her usual flippant display of confidence. “I banged Will in my office and took Josh home will me. I feel like such a whore.”
Toby does what he knows he can do. He has never been one for words of spontaneous wisdom, needing to craft them out of yellow paged rough drafts. Toby sits down on the couch beside her and opens his arms as the moment of self-confidence melts into tears of self-pity. Their friendship has been restored to balance--one of understanding trust, and safety, but nothing more. He knows she’s not as good at this as she thinks she is.
TBC
Thank you to all my loyal readers!!