Kendra....

"And my final question, are you ready for the upcoming midterm elections?"

I smiled at the older woman, recorder held high to catch her every word.

"The real question here is whether Kentucky is ready for their first female senator."

"You're that confident that you'll win the senate seat?" I asked

"I am," she nodded

"Your opponent might have something to say about that."

"Of course that old man will have something to say," she laughed "But on a serious note, Senator Martin has been great for the past eighteen years and has done a lot for the state. But it's time for someone new to step in with some fresh ideas. And I believe the people of Kentucky are on the same page as I am."

"Well, thank you so much for your time Governor Sanchez."

"No problem young lady," she smiled "And tell that boss of yours I said hello."

"Will do ma'am."

With that, the woman turned and made her way back to her friends. I breathed a sigh of relief, doing interviews were always nerve wrecking.

I was at a LGBTQ formal event in Washington, where many governors, senators and political officials came to show their support. Some of them were genuine in their support, the others just wanted to look good for the midterms next year. It was my first time at an event like this. My boss sent me here, wanting me to get more experience interviewing politicians.

I was living my dream of being a journalist, and I was happy. But things weren't always like this.

Being a teen mom was far from glamorous. After that unfortunate day with Anthony, my mother moved us to a whole other state and enrolled in a new high school. I had gotten the "poor you" look from everyone there. They all expected my life to be over, expected that I would become a statistic. But I wasn't having it, and neither was my mother. I graduated, albeit a year later than I was supposed to, with honors.

I attended New York University and studied journalism. Once I got my graduate degree, I started interning at a local newspaper. I was treated like crap, but I constantly told myself that I had to stick it out. Playing with my son and writing on my blog was what helped me through those tough days. It was actually my blog that gave me my first big job.

My blog was popular among teens who were interested in politics and activism, which was what I mostly wrote about. One of my fans happened to be the daughter of the owner of one of the top newspapers in Washington DC, the Cooper Chronicle. She mentioned my blog to her father and he checked it out himself. Next thing you know I was packing me and my son's things and moving to DC to be a writer for the newspaper.

We've been here about three months now, living in a comfortable apartment in Hillcrest, in the south of Washington.

"How did it go?" Iris asked walking up to me

Iris Flores was also a journalist and wrote for the newspaper. She had been working there for about a year and a half and was good at what she did. On my first day she said that she saw my potential and insisted she be my mentor. Now, she was more of a close friend.

"It went great," I answered

"See, it's not as hard as you think."

"It's still nerve wrecking though."

"I don't think that ever goes away," she said, putting back a little fear in me "So, what's next? Anyone else you want to interview?"

"No. I think I've spoken to everyone I need to."

"Good. You can stay and hang out with us for a while," she said pointing to a group of her reporter friends

"I can't, I have to go relieve the babysitter."

"Right," she playfully slapped her forehead "Sometimes I forget you have a kid."

"Is it bad that sometimes I forget too?"

We both start laughing, ignoring the stares that were probably shooting our way.

"Yes Kendra that's bad," she said once our giggles died down

"At least someone's enjoying themselves here," a voice said

Iris turned and her face lit up at the man standing before us.

"Josh," she greeted with a grin before stepping forward and giving him a hug

"Hey Iris," he said hugging her back, "How have you been? Haven't seen you around lately."

"I've been good," she answered once they pulled apart, "Just been super busy. How about you?"

"Same old stuff. Thought I'd come here to have a little fun but..." he looked around at the calm environment "...things seem a little dead here."

"That's cause you've been hanging around old people since you got here, as always," Iris said, "You need some young spunky friends to hang with," she shimmied at the word 'spunky'

"Well why don't you introduce me to yours" he said finally looking my way, with a glint in his eyes

Oh, I knew where this was going.

"Oh," Iris said quickly turning to me "This is my friend Kendra Wright. She works at Cooper's with me. And she's single by the way," I rolled my eyes at that

"I haven't seen you around before," he said

"I'm new around here. Moved a few months ago," I answered

"Well, welcome to Washington DC," he flashed a charming smile

I couldn't help but smile back "Thank you. You know you're the only person to tell me that other than the people at the airport?"

"I did," Iris chimed in

"No you didn't" I said "You welcomed me to the newspaper, not Washington."

"Same thing."

"No it's not," I shook my head

"Flores! Wright! Get over here," we heard from the other side of the room

Iris turned to the group, indicating she was coming.

"Can you tell them I can't make it?" I asked

"Will do. Drive safe OK?"

"I will."

She then turned to Josh. "It was good seeing you," she gave him a hug "Hopefully months don't pass before we see each other again."

"I hope so too."

Iris waved goodbye as she walked away. Once Josh turned to face me, there was a mischievous look on her face. She grinned and winked before turning fully to her friends. I would be annoyed with her, but Josh seemed like a good guy so far. And I had promised myself I was going to really try at this dating thing. Plus, he was cute.

When I turned back to him, I caught him quickly looking away from my body. Seems like the maroon long sleeved romper was a good choice. It helped that it's color matched the ends of my curls that were now wrapped into a high bun. 

"So, where are you off to?" he asked

"Home."

"Right now? I was just starting to enjoy myself."

"Yeah, I have to get home to my son."

I stiffened. My son wasn't something I bought up so quickly with a guy. There was always a chance he would run away hearing those words. But his face didn't change one bit. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that I had a child.

"Oh. He must be missing you like crazy."

"I doubt he's missing me in any way right now."

"He's at that age now huh?"

"Yep. I'm not his best friend anymore."

"Don't worry about it, he'll get over it, trust me."

"Good to know," I said with a smile, "Well, you already know where I work and that I have a son. What about you? Where do you work? Any kids?"

"No kids," he began "And I'm a lawyer. I work for him."

He added, nodding his head to the side, pointing at someone.

I turned in that direction and instantly spotted Nathan Collins. He was one of the top lawyers around and owned the best firm in Washington. It was widely known that he only hired the best of the best. Just like that, Josh earned some points. I wanted to know more.

"How did you get a job with him?" I asked with excitement, letting him know that I was thoroughly impressed

"He and my dad go way back, so I've known him for years. He had an opening a few years ago and knew that I had just graduated from law school, so he called me," he answered

Ah, nepotism.

"Oh," I nodded, not as impressed as I was before. But something caught my attention and I had to ask. "Who's your father?"

"Governor Rogers, from Florida," he answered

And just like that, the attraction left my body.

"Oh, that's cool," I said, trying to not let my true feelings show.

"Yeah, it kinda is," he said not seeming to sense the change in mood.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. 9:30 pm. Looks like a good time to make a run for it.

"Well, it's getting late, I need to get going. Don't want to keep my babysitter up too late, she has school in the morning," I quickly shoved the tape recorder, that I was apparently still holding in my hand, into my clutch "It was great meeting you Josh."

"Uh, you too," he said, maybe confused by my sudden urge to leave "I'll see you around?"

"Maybe."

Maybe not!

I turned and made my departure. He had called out to me but I kept walking as if I hadn't heard him. A sense of relief fell over me when I was outside the building, and I slowly made my way to the parking lot.

Yes he was nice, and cute and had a good job. And he was not bothered by me having a child. Any woman in my position would have snatched him up. Hell, they would have been in the woman's bathroom right now, having their way with him. But he was the son of a politician, and I have sworn of those since I was sixteen. It wasn't just them. Sons of CEO's was on that no-no list too. Anyone who had some sort of legacy to uphold were off limits to me. Living up to that legacy and the expectations will always be more important, and I never want to be pushed aside or thrown away because of it.

Anthony, my ex and my son's father, taught me that lesson. He chose his and his father's reputation over me and my son. We were not about to go through that again.

This, unfortunately, shrunk my dating pool here in DC. Every eligible bachelor was either the son of a politician or big shot CEO, or heir to some fortune 500 company. All that were left were government workers, activist and journalist like myself.

But I wasn't about to lower my standards. It was important. My son and I needed to be put first, no matter what. 

And there you have it, Chapter 1! Thank yo so much for reading. Remember to show some love by leaving a vote or comment. Next chapter should be up some time next week, so look out for it.