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my home?”
    “Only
the ones Pearl is willing to unearth,” Jameson replied.
    “That
does not bode well for me,” Candace sobered.
    “ Actually , it bodes quite well for you,” Jameson
replied sincerely. She and Candace had only had a few phone conversations over
the last two weeks, but each had been enjoyable. Each time they had found a
reason to speak; the conversation had naturally turned to discussing their
days. And, each time they spoke, Jameson had found she would become spellbound
by the senator’s stories and her voice. Jameson found Pearl’s nuggets about the
senator endearing. The older woman had great affection for Candace. It was a
sentiment that Jameson was beginning to understand intimately.
    Candace
felt Jameson’s compliment lodge itself in her chest. She closed her eyes for a moment
to quiet an unexpected rise of emotion. What was it about Jameson Reid that
captivated her? She looked forward to Jameson’s emails. She realized as the
silence lingered on the line, that when more than a few hours passed without
any contact from the architect, she felt disappointed. She cleared her throat. “Don’t
believe a word she says,” Candace said lightly.
    “I
believe every word,” Jameson said. “So, no statuary, no birds, and no felines.
Any specific requests?”
    “Chinese,”
Candace replied.
    “You
want me to decorate this house with an Asian influence?” Jameson asked
skeptically.
    “No,
I want Chinese food.”
    Jameson
laughed. “I’m afraid I am a little far to deliver on that request.”
    “How
long are you going to be occupying my kitchen?”
    “What?”
    “It’s
a simple question, Jameson. How long can I expect you to be in my kitchen?”
    “Probably
another few hours. Why?”
    “Do
you have any specific requests?”
    Jameson was lost . “I don’t….”
    “For
Chinese food,” Candace clarified. She started laughing. “I am sitting in the airport
right now,” she explained. “I should be home in about two hours. I thought
perhaps you could show me what you’ve been working on over dinner.”
    “I
would love to.”
    “So;
any requests?”
    “Surprise
me,” Jameson said in challenge.
    Candace
felt her face flush at the intended flirtation she detected. “Be careful what
you wish for, Jameson.”
    “Sweet
or spicy, Senator. I can handle it.”
    Candace
chuckled. “Noted. I will see you in a couple of hours.”
    Jameson
disconnected the call and stood staring at the phone in her hands. “Did I just
flirt with Candace Fletcher? Oh my God; did she just flirt with me?” Jameson
put the phone back in its cradle and wandered into the kitchen.
    Pearl
looked up and saw the architect’s dazed expression. “You all right? She didn’t fire you; did she?” Pearl asked
half-kidding, half-worried over the expression on Jameson’s face.
    “What?
No, she’s bringing home Chinese.”
    Pearl
pursed her lips in amusement. “Do you not like Chinese food?”
    “What?
No. I….I need to put this all together to show her. She already thinks I’m
crazy.”
    Pearl
shook her head watching Jameson focus on her new task. “Oh, you’re crazy all
right,” she thought. “Crazy about my Candy.”
    ***
    Jameson
heard Candace’s voice as the front door opened and felt her heart pick up its
pace. Suddenly, she felt like a high school girl waiting to be picked up for
her first date. She hadn’t seen Candace since their first meeting. The prospect
of being in the same room with the affable senator made her stomach flutter.
    Candace
smiled at Pearl. “She’s in the kitchen,” Pearl said with a smirk.
    “You’ve
been telling my secrets, Pearlie,” Candace mock scolded the older woman.
    “Only
the good ones,” Pearl promised.
    “I’m
sure,” Candace groaned playfully. “Jinx?” she asked. Pearl shrugged. “What
other skeletons did you unearth for her?” Candace whispered.
    “Why?
You trying to impress her?” Pearl returned.
    Candace
pretended not to hear the older woman and