Page 63 of Powerless

“Because I watched you and the other candidate very closely, and there was a massive difference between you.” He looks to me. “And my wife just adores you.” He smiles. “She voted for you because of your wife.”

“Aw, thank you,” I say feeling good about that.

Bennett gestures for the man to sit. “Please.” Bennett holds his hand out and shakes the man’s hand. “What’s your name?”

“Jackson.”

“Very nice to meet you, Jackson,” I say and shake his hand.

“What made you change your vote?” Bennett asks.

“You don’t use fear as a motivator, and I like that. My wife and I were discussing how the other guy was happy to point and scream about how the sky was falling down and exactly whose fault it was. You said yes, the sky is falling down, but let’s fix it so it doesn’t. You never pointed fingers, or made anyone look bad. We both liked that about you.”

“Thank you,” Bennett says. “Is your wife here with you tonight?”

“Actually, no, I was sent to pick up an order.” Jackson looks to the host’s stand where the host indicates that his order is ready. “I should go, but I sincerely hope you win this.” He shakes my hand and Bennett’s, then stands.

“Thank you for voting,” Bennett says once again. “Especially considering it was for me.”

Jackson chuckles, nods his head, then leaves the table.

“You have integrity among the voters. If one person saw it, then I’m sure millions more did too,” I say.

“You helped.”

“Obviously. I’m the loveable wife,” I say with a smile.

Bennett chuckles and shakes his head. He leans over and whispers, “I’m going to fuck you when we return home.” I do my best to hold in my smirk.

I lean into Bennett and kiss his jaw. “Good.”

“The spinach and ricotta cannelloni?” the waiter asks as he stands in front of our table.

“That would be me,” I say and sit back so he can place the piping hot plate in front of me.

“Bacon linguine would be yours, sir?”

“Certainly is.” The waiter lays the white bowl in front of Bennett.

“Cracked pepper or extra parmesan?”

Bennett’s eyes widen when he sees the parmesan and I know if he’s given the opportunity he’d inhale all of it. “No, thank you,” I say before Bennett has the chance to gorge himself.

The server smiles and leaves. “Seriously,” Bennett playfully grumbles.

I look to him and knowingly wink before digging into my dinner. Thankfully, Bennett relaxes as the moments morph into an hour, then another. A few more people approach us and give us their well-wishes. Some grumble that they didn’t vote for Bennett, but he’s quite diplomatic and gracious with his replies.

We’re halfway through dessert when Mark appears at the table. “Sir, Liam’s asked for you to return to base.”

Shit, this might be it. Bennett takes his phone out of his pocket but I place my hand over it. “Wait until we’re back at base,” I encourage.

Whatever the news, if there is any, he needs to be with the people who’ve worked tirelessly for him. We stand from our table and Mark informs us he’s already taken care of the bill.

We’ll need to reimburse him once we’re back at base.

“Are you okay?” We link our fingers as we make our way back to the office.

“I feel sick to my stomach, Kathryn. I’m nervous, and jittery. I’m not sure what to expect.”

---