Page 62 of Power Games

"We can totally not. Sorry, I forgot men were allergic to vagina 101."

"Vanessa."

She giggled, loving the exasperated tone of his voice. It had some familiarity, a degree of affection. She could get used to it.

"Hey, I've got your real estate search down to twelve options; I'll send you links so you can cross off the ones you don't like, then I'll do the groundwork on the rest. I think I can get it done by this weekend."

"Good, I'll clear it. We can meet for breakfast and head there together."

She bit her lip. "Are you sure I should come?"

"Vanessa, it'll be your place too, remember?"

Actually, it had completely gone over her head, but that was right. She wasn't just house shopping, she was shopping for her house. The one she'd move into after she married Charles. The one they'd return to after his term at the White House, if he won the election. If he still wanted her after winning.

"Oh," was all she said.

"Are you having second thoughts?"

Was she?

"No, I...." She closed her eyes. "I'm not. I want this."

I want you.

The words didn't cross her lips.

"Good. Breakfast at nine, then clear the weekend. We're going to see my family."

24

Manipulation

His parents loved Vanessa, Vanessa loved his dad’s pie. Charles wasn't surprised to see her effortlessly charm the happy couple over dinner on Sunday night.

"Son, you mentioned house hunting. How is that going?"

"Well. Better than expected at this stage. We visited four properties this weekend. One of them is a stone’s throw away from the White House. You'd love the view."

"I bet I wouldn't love the price tag," his mother said with a chuckle. "You went with him, dear?"

"Yes. You know men; left to their own devices, they're quite useless. Charles didn't think to ask about the neighbors or parking space."

Janet squeezed her hand. "I'm so glad you're there for him right now, sweetie."

Charles wasn't certain she would have had the same welcome if she hadn't started to comment online, but her timing had been impeccable.

He'd discussed her plan with Aiden and the expert in public relations had nodded through it all, mumbling various things like, "wouldn't have thought of that," "perfect," and "genius."

He'd said that if it had been left up to him, he would have gone a different route, made a statement right away, cleared the air and battled through the storm.

"But my method would admittedly mean giving up on running this year. I would have managed the mess. Vanessa isusingit. Risky, and if it was anyone else, I would advise against it. It's not anyone else. She has the right contacts, the right profile, and the right audience to pull it off. You have to realize that this campaign won't be about you as much as about her. If she walks away, you're screwed. As long as you trust her to stick by you, it would be insanity not to try."

Charles had hesitated. Trust her? How could he, when he'd just realized he barely knew her at all? There were layers under the surface, layers she'd kept well hidden.

"She's put her squeaky-clean reputation on the line for me. She's in."

One would hope.

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