Amy unzipped her parka and shrugged out of it as she sat on the chair in front of Jake’s desk. She let the parka droop over the chair’s back. She was wearing a thick knitted off-white pullover and maroon slacks. Jake realized all over again what a beautiful woman she really was.

“Coffee?” he asked, glancing at the pot sitting on the hot plate atop the bookcase behind her.

“I can’t stay long,” Amy said. “I’ve got a million things to do.”

“Don’t forget to vote.”

She beamed her cheerleader’s smile at him. “Already did. Frank and I voted first thing this morning, as soon as the polls opened.”

Jake nodded. Sure you did. You woke up with him, didn’t you?

As if she could read the expression on his face, Amy said, “Jake, we couldn’t have made it this far without you. Frank wants you to know that, win or lose, he’s very grateful for your help and support.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I love him, Jake.”

For a moment he didn’t reply. He wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. Amy, in love? He’d never thought that she’d fall in love with anyone. He realized that he’d thought of Amy only as a bed partner. Jesus Christ, Jake berated himself, I’m a male chauvinist pig!

“You love him?” he asked dully.

“I do. I truly do. At first I thought it was just a fling, you know, just for fun.…”

Like you thought of me, Jake realized.

“He’s asked me to marry him.”

Feeling totally stupid, Jake muttered, “Congratulations.”

She smiled again, but this time it looked almost sad. Regretful. “I hope I haven’t hurt you, Jake.”

He shook his head, bewildered. “No … I’m okay.”

“He wanted to get married right after the primary, but I told him to wait until after the election. I told Frank that if we got married during the campaign he’d lose half the women’s vote.”

Jake forced a weak smile. “Yeah. Guess so.”

“I wanted to tell you myself,” she said, “because … well, you know…”

“Yeah. I know. I understand.”

She shot to her feet and grabbed the parka before it could fall to the floor. “Well, I’ve got to run. There’s a million things I have to get done.”

Jake stood up, but stayed behind his desk. “Thanks for telling me … and everything,” he said. “I hope the two of you are very happy together. I really do.”

“You’re sweet, Jake.” She rushed to the door, blew him a farewell kiss, and left, tugging on the parka.

Jake sank back into his chair, thinking, Well, what did you expect? You knew she was only playing around with you. He looked up at the partially open door. But getting married? I never thought she was that serious about him.