Page 46 of Powerless

“I’ll always look after Bennett. You know that.” Liam turns to me and peers over the counter. “Are you seriously making nachos?”

“I am.”

Liam pretends to wipe the saliva from his mouth. “Are you staying for dinner?” Liam asks Mrs. Adams. “Wait, where’s Mr. Adams?” I’m wondering the same thing.

“He’s back home. And, I’m certainly staying, if that’s okay with everyone?”

“Aha.” I nod. We’re all going to have to be conscious not to do anything that might give us away.

“Hi!” Jen announces as she comes through the front door. Bennett leaps to his feet and heads over to Jen. He wraps her in his arms before giving her a kiss on the mouth. I hate seeing them together, even if it’s all for show. I wish we could tell Jen’s and Bennett’s parents the truth, but we can’t. Not yet. And it’s killing me that we have to sneak around. Especially considering Bennett isn’t a convincing liar. That’ll be his downfall in politics. The fact he exhibits telltale signs of deception. For instance, like now. Although his arm is around Jen’s waist, he keeps looking to me, making sure I’m okay with this show we need to put on. “How are you, Mrs. Adams?” Jen asks and heads over to sit beside Bennett’s mom.

“I’m good. The flight was okay too.”

“When did you fly in?” Liam asks.

“I came straight from the airport.”

“Where are you staying?” Bennett asks.

Please, don’t ask to stay here. I’m not sure I can handle her being here for an extended period. It’s hard enough to pretend that Bennett and I aren’t together in the short time she’s been here.

“I have a reservation at one of the hotels nearby.”

Phew.

“How long are you here for, Mrs. Adams?”

“Only tonight and tomorrow. I fly back early the next day. So, what are you two doing tomorrow night?” Mrs. Adams looks to Bennett, then Jen.

“Why?” Bennett asks.

“I’d like to take the two of you out to dinner. I made a reservation at Starlight with the governor.”

“My boss?” Bennett asks. Fear passes over his face, but I don’t know why. No one knows he and Jen are a sham except for the four of us.

Jen reaches across and lays her hand over Bennett’s. “That would be lovely, thank you, Mrs. Adams.” Jen really fits into the political world. Especially when she speaks with the same confidence to Bennett’s mom.

“What do you think if we catch a movie tomorrow night?” Liam asks as he sidles up next to me and kisses my shoulder.

His touch is wrong, but I have to continue this ruse until we can be ourselves again. “Sounds great,” I reply with a tight voice and an even tighter smile.

“Can I help with anything, Kathryn?” Mrs. Adams asks.

“I’ve got it. You’re our guest,” Liam replies on my behalf.

The three of them stay seated at the snug dining table, while Liam and I pretend we’re the happy couple who cook together, though small knowing glances pass between us. Is it horrible of me to think that I can’t wait until she leaves so that I can have Bennett back to being all mine?

It’s okay, Kathryn, she’ll leave soon after dinner.

We all keep pretending, because that’s what we have to do.

* * *

I lay on the bed as Bennett dresses in one of his sexy suits. “I can pretend I’m sick,” he offers as he hesitates with his tie.

“You know you can’t,” I say as I sit up in bed and cross my legs while watching him. “Go, and have fun with Jen. But...” I lift my finger to point at him. “Not too much fun.”

He stops knotting his tie and walks over to the bed. I get up on my knees and Bennett embraces me tight to his body. “I hate how we have to sneak around.”

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