Page 24 of Powerless

“It’s all about perception.” I dart my eyes around the dining room, trying to figure out what exactly Bennett is trying to convey. “Jen comes from prime bloodlines, as do I. If an Adams marries a Marshall, it’s nearly guaranteed that I can go the whole way.”

“As in president?” I ask. Bennett nods slowly. “Do you want that though?”

“I do.”

“Why?” I sit back in my chair, my food now abandoned.

“Because I think I can make a difference.”

“How?”

Bennett mimics my posture and crosses his arms in front of his chest as he lifts his chin and stares up at the corner of the room. “I want to be a president who makes the headlines for the right reasons.”

“Give me an example.”

“First of all, I want universal health care.”

“Whoa,” I say as I half laugh. “That’s loaded, Bennett. Next thing you’ll say is about gun reform.” His brows quickly dart up as a small smile tugs the corner of his lips. “There’s no way you’ll be elected with those selling points.”

“Probably not, I know. But it’s worth a try, don’t you think?”

“You won’t get backing from anyone.”

Bennett chuckles as he sits forward and begins to poke at his food. “And here you said you have no political background.”

“That’s just common sense.”

Bennett looks at me and smiles. “Don’t you think it’s time we stop leaving our futures to corporations and archaic thinking? I do.”

“What does your father have to say about this? He’s staunch in his beliefs, and from my knowledge of what I’ve seen of him on TV, he wouldn’t support this.”

“I know.” He lowers his chin. “He’s the one pushing me to marry Jen. Jen’s father is pushing her to marry me, because both sets of parents believe I have a future. Besides, it’s all about perception. If a Marshall and an Adams marry, then we become political royalty.”

“You’re missing the point here, Bennett. You can announce your intention to run, but if there’s no support for you in the primaries you’re not going to get anywhere. It’ll be a waste of time and money.”

He pulls his shoulders back and looks me dead in the eyes. “I’ll get there, Kathryn. But it’ll be with you by my side, not Jen.”

“Here we go again. It doesn’t matter who’ll be standing beside you, without the party support you won’t get through.”

“What do you think about what I want to focus on?”

I lift my brows and click my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “I think they’re important issues, but not what will win the presidency.”

“I’ll have the support of the people.”

“That’s not enough, and you know it,” I say. “You need your father’s backing, and Jennifer’s father’s backing.” I shake my head as I stare at the food. “I can see it now, why they’re trying so hard to match you together.”

“So do I,” Bennett admits. “But it’s not for the right reason. Jen’s gay and doesn’t want this. Nor do I. I want you.”

I pick my fork up and spear some of the salad onto it. The silence between us feels solid and seems to last for an eternity. I’m not acknowledging or replying to his statement. It would be so much easier if I just bit the bullet and pulled the Band-Aid off quickly.

All my plans are being thrown out the window, and I hate how I’m questioning everything.

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Bennett asks softly.

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”

“What are you talking about?”

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