More Than Rivals by Mary Whitney Page A

dream to be a Congressman?”
    “Are you going to use this against me? Make me out to be some egotistical career politician?”
    She pretended nonchalance. “Well, now that you’ve said it…”
    “Hey!” he said, nudging her with his elbow.
    “I’m joking….” She smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a politician. Hell, I’m one.”  
    “True.” He smiled and shrugged. “It’s okay. I know it’s a vulnerability that I haven’t worked much outside of elected office.”
    “It’s stupid when people discount a candidate for spending their life in politics. I don’t think less of you. In fact, I think you’re meant to succeed. You’re good at it, and you work to help people.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah.” She smiled. “If you were this successful and an asshole, it would be a different story.”
    “Good to know I’m not an ass.” He chuckled and clasped his hands together, as his voice became more serious. “When Jenkins announced he was retiring, I decided I had to throw my hat in the ring even if Kingsley was in the race. Congressional seats don’t open up in California very often. I had to try, and it at least gets my name out there.”
    “Me too, for the exact same reason. This could be the only opportunity I ever have to run for Congress.”
    “What about you? Has it been your lifelong dream to be in Congress?”
    “Lifelong? I can’t say that. I just started thinking about it when Jenkins retired.” She was sheepish. “I thought I might do well.”
    “I think you’re right.” He nodded with his eyes set on her in such a way she knew he was sincere.  
    “Thanks.” The moment felt so genuine she grinned and decided to reveal a little more about herself. “I’d like to be in Congress, but I wouldn’t be like Jenkins. I don’t want to spend thirty years there.”
    “Because of your son?”
    “Yes and no. Luke was really supportive of me running, and I’m lucky to have my parents to help with him when I’d be in D.C., but I don’t want to lead a bi-coastal family life forever. And I also want to do other things.”  
    “What else would you want to do?”
    “Professionally? Lots of things. Run for higher office. Lead a federal agency. Maybe work in academia.” She shrugged. “More importantly, I want a personal life. I’ve seen a lot of people on their death beds. Not a single person has ever said to me, ‘You know, I wish I’d spent more time at the office.’ I’ve taken that to heart.”  
    “What kind of personal life?” he asked in a careful tone as if she might decline to answer.
    “Well, eventually, I’d like to get married again and have more kids, but that’s not happening anytime soon.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s just not.” She chuckled. “And even if I was with someone, I’d wait a few years before having children. I don’t want Luke feeling like he’s being replaced.”  
    “That’s understandable.” Jack was silent for a moment before he sighed. “It’s kind of depressing that it could be my one shot at Congress.”
    She stared at his stoic face, which revealed something she knew in her heart—he wanted to win more than she did. She had a full life. Yes, she wanted to be in Congress. She thought she would do well there and could do some good, but she was happy with her current jobs, including being a mom. Jack had the look of someone who wanted to win because it would fulfill a dream.  
    As she was quiet, he winced. “And unfortunately, neither of us will win.”
    “But there are other offices … other opportunities, and losing an election isn’t the end of the world. It can lead to better things.”
    “I know, I know, and I try to remember it.”
    “But it’s true. Good politicians have nine lives, and Congress isn’t necessarily the best place to start.”
    “My dad believes that.”
    “You could be mayor of San Francisco and run for governor or even the U.S. Senate. And if you ever wanted to run for president