A friendly face beamed up from her phone's screen and Mary eagerly answered the call. "Sophie!"

"Mar – I'm not interrupting, am I?"

Mary looked around the deserted art gallery. "Not at all. Haven't seen a soul all day."

Her job had many perks, especially the commission when she sold a piece and the two-month vacation in the summer. Still, one of its drawbacks was the long hours spent by herself. But she was used to being alone.

After a quick catch-up, Mary asked her best friend what she was dying to know. "So... I missed you at breakfast after the wedding. Did you get a chance to hang off that tree branch?"

Sophie laughed, "That fine specimen disappeared on me before I got the chance."

Mary was relieved. The last thing she needed was more military men in her life. Her sister's husband was enough. If Sophie got involved with one, she'd be inundated with them. But then, Sophie never got involved with any man.

"Still, a girl has needs." This was Sophie's code for a random hook up she never intended to see again. "But did I see you dancing with a tall, dark and handsome?"

Mary couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face at the mention of Hunter. After their first dance, they'd spent the rest of the evening together. Mary would have like to have taken him up to her room, but Hunter was more than a one-night stand.

He had potential.

"You did. Oh, Sophie, he's so perfect." Mary filled her friend in on what she'd discovered.

Hunter Locklear grew up in California, was of indigenous heritage on his father's side and entered the military at eighteen. A quick internet search also told her, he'd earned a law degree and had a passion for environmental issues. Making him a perfect fit as the Chief of Staff for the new Senator from California who ran on a green platform. He lived in Washington D. C. permanently and true to her father's word, Hunter was making a name for himself in politics. There was article after article touting his political savvy and hinting at future prospects.

"Your dad sure can pick 'em."

Mary beamed. "Dad thinks he could go all the way. I mean it's way too early for that kind of talk... Can you imagine me as First Lady?" She sure could.

"Kinda can. You have that whole Jackie O thing going on."

"What do you mean?"

"Well just that you can package things well - make everything appear perfect."

Mary wasn't sure Sophie's words were a compliment. "Thanks, I think."

"C'mon, Mar you know what I mean. It's like the gallery. You know exactly where to place everything so potential customers see things in their best light."

Mary looked at the artwork hanging on the walls around her, the sculptures perched under spotlights, the vase of fresh pink lilies on her desk handing down like a natural chandelier. Yes, she knew how to set a scene, to entice a purchase.

"Has he called yet?"

The smile on Mary's face fell. "No. It's been three days. Should I call him?"

Sophie was laughing again. "Absolutely!"

"I'll think about it." Making the first move might appear desperate. Mary was used to men chasing after her, not the other way around. Was she losing her looks? Would Hunter be her last chance at the life she sought? Shaking her head, she changed the subject. "Drinks on Thursday? I've discovered this new winery Icel. Their red is to die for."

Setting down the phone after ending the call with Sophie, Mary drummed her fingers on her practically empty desk. The afternoon stretched before her, vacant and silent. Slipping the drawer on the side of her desk open, she pulled out her sketch pad and pencil.

As a child, Mary had loved to draw. In high school, she had even won a few competitions. There were plans for her to take art history in college but then life got in the way. Her mother got sick her first year. After her death, Mary dropped out. Eventually, she went back and completed her degree but drawing wasn't a lucrative profession. And she needed money.

When her mother had been alive, the family had never wanted for anything. Things had spiralled quickly with her passing. Their father had made a failed attempt to get elected governor, draining the family coffers. A few years ago they'd even had to sell their beloved lake house located outside of Bridgetown, unable to afford its upkeep. In a romantic gesture, even Mary couldn't deny, Finn had purchased the lake house for Emily as an engagement gift.

Finn Wainwright, the lowly busboy who joined the armed forces and somehow made a fortune. Mary could not have seen that one coming. Now Emily had the life Mary wanted. An influential husband who adored her, a five-star tour of Europe for her honeymoon and the best of both worlds with a condo in the city and their late mother's beloved home in the country to return to.

Meanwhile, Mary was struggling to make ends meet to keep her apartment. Not that anyone knew. She'd die before letting that come to light.

Shading in the curly hair of the portrait she was drawing, Mary looked down upon the face of Finn's older brother - Simon.

She traced a finger along his cheek, as she had done in real life in the library. Evoking pale reflections of the overwhelming emotions she'd felt at the time. Heat began to rise in her cheeks. And elsewhere. Biting the inside of her cheek, she closed her eyes trying to regain control.

"Nope. Not thinking about him," she said to no one. A hollow echo pushed her words back at her. "He's not worth it."

"Who's not worth it?"

Mary's eyes popped open to the alluring site of Hunter Locklear standing in the doorway. Another grey suit, this one dark but almost shimmering complemented his tall, toned physic, painting a fine picture, worthy of hanging on the walls of the gallery.

"Hunter!" she squeaked. "Um, hi." A different kind of heat flushed her face, embarrassment at being caught chastising herself. Shoving the portrait back into its drawer, Mary smoothed her skirt as she walked towards the handsome man before her. "What are you doing here?"

"I could lie and say I was in the area." His amber eyes sparkled from the early afternoon sunlight streaming in the expansive window. "I googled the gallery when you mentioned it at the wedding. I was hoping to buy you a coffee."

"You came here for me?" Her heart rate ticked up a notch. Hunter had sought her out.

"Is that so strange?" Those eyes never wavered from her. She was beginning to see why he had a reputation for getting things done. It would be hard to resist that honest look.

"No, no. It's nice."

"So... Mary Montgomery, are you free?"

Hi all! D. L. Croisette here. Thanks for reading Mary's story.  

Those of you who read her interview in my "Interviews With Your Favourite Characters" project (thanks GalaRu57 for the nomination) will remember Mary's love for that Icellars red wine. It's a great Canadian success story and tastes so yummy. If you want to try it yourself, I've put a link to the winery in the comment here. ---->

And if you want to read that interview or ask Mary a question (yes! you can talk to Mary) I've put a link in the comment to it. ---->