Page 4 of Bodied

“Lauren Bartlett.” Lauren turned to see who was addressing her. A man from her mom’s campaign team held out his hand with a huge smile on his face. Lauren shook it but struggled to remember the man’s name. “You must be so pleased about your mother’s win.”

“Pleased but not surprised, I’d say.” Lauren gave him her best political grin. “And thank you so much for your part in her success. She couldn’t have done it without you and the rest of her team.”

“Gracious as always,” the man said. “See you around, Ms. Bartlett.” He turned away and Lauren was left to schmooze with the rest of the crowd. She shook way too many hands, and thanked way too many team members, never losing her perfect smile. It was a soul-sucking process, but it helped her mom. And maybe, just maybe, it would make up for the damage she had done in the past.

Lauren found a seat during her mom’s introduction, and Wesley followed and sat beside her like he was her actual shadow. “I’m here safe,” she muttered to him. “You can do your own thing now.”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “Your mother’s instructions were clear. I’m to deliver you to her directly after her speech. Until then, you’re under my protection.”

“That’s a little much.” Lauren crossed her arms and frowned. “She’s never been this protective before.”

Wesley shrugged. “There are people out there who aren’t very happy she won. She’s just making sure you stay safe, even though it’s probably unnecessary. You can’t fault a mother for being overprotective.”

Lauren knew she couldn’t argue with that, so she chose not to try. Instead, she watched as her mom took the stage. She applauded at all the right times, cheered when she was expected to, and was sure to smile every time she saw the cameras pointed her way. Everything was so fake, and however hard Lauren tried to roll with it, sometimes it got to be too much. Halfway through the speech, she got up to go to the bathroom. And halfway to the bathroom, she noticed she wasn’t alone. Her shadow had followed her, as shadows do.

“You’re not going to join me in the bathroom, are you?” she said to him without turning around.

“My instructions were clear.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. When they got to the bathroom, Wesley darted in front of her and went in first.

“What are you doing?” Lauren shouted after him.

“Clearing the room,” he called back. Then she heard, “Everybody finish up. This restroom is closed.”

Lauren cringed, and apologized to each person as they exited the bathroom. Once the room was cleared, Wesley held the door for her and gestured for her to go on in. Lauren groaned. “Thanks, I guess.” Then he followed her in and closed and locked the door.

“Really?” she said. “I can’t even go to the bathroom alone? Are you going to follow me in to the stall, too?”

“I hadn’t planned on it.” He almost smiled, which was a shock in itself. “Would you like me to?”

“Funny,” she said, scowling at him.

“It wasn’t a joke. My job is to keep you safe, so that’s what I’m going to do right up until your mother’s speech is over. Then I’ll be out of your hair.”

“Thank God for small favors.” Lauren pulled out her phone, started her favorite playlist, and cranked it to full volume. Then she handed it to Wesley. “Hold this for me.”

When she was finished, she washed her hands and took her phone back. Wesley went to unlock the door, but she stopped him. “Why?” he asked, arching an eyebrow at her.

“I just need a minute to breathe.” She leaned back against the counter and closed her eyes. These events always drained her, and sometimes she needed to take a minute to recharge.

Wesley leaned back against the door and gave her half a smile. “Tired of the act, are you? Not that I blame you.”

Lauren’s eyes snapped open, and she turned to give him a discerning look. No chance he could read her mind, but he may as well have. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged. “Take it as a compliment. You nailed it. I was almost convinced you were enjoying every minute of this nonsense.”

“Bold words. You’re lucky I’m not secretly recording them. My mom would have you fired for sure.”

He shook his head. “Your mother only cares about one thing — your safety. I don’t have to care about any of this pageantry. In fact, she probably prefers that I don’t. Less distraction that way. But the revelation that you don’t care about it either is new. I’ve got to say, your acting skills are top notch.”

Lauren sighed and pocketed her phone. “I should hope so. Acting is the only thing I’ve ever been good at.”

“I doubt that.”

“Well, it’s true.” Her shoulders slumped. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever really wanted to do with my life. But I had to put it on hold…” She clenched a fist. “For her. Anyway, it helps to think of events like these as practice. I don’t love getting typecast, though.” She forced another smile.

“You could always make the role more interesting. Throw a bit more sincerity into it.”

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