Page 69 of Powerless

“I believe you, Millie. But I think we should take a selfie together, although I would appreciate it if you don’t post it until tomorrow.”

“I can post it?”

“Sure can, but tomorrow, okay?” Nope, I was wrong. This smile is the largest I’ve ever seen. “Come on.”

She walks around and aims the camera at us. I place my arm around her shoulder, and she takes a picture. Millie pulls the phone away and stares at the photo. “My life is brilliant,” she whispers.

“I’m sorry, Millie, but now you need to leave.”

She looks up and smiles. She hugs me before stepping back and collecting herself. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. And I promise, I’ll wait until tomorrow to post this.” Millie gathers her things and leaves the room.

I look myself over again, just to triple-check that I still look fabulous. I smile at my reflection in the mirror and head out to find Bennett. Oh, I nearly forgot. I quickly return to where I’ve been hiding the present I secretly bought. Once I’ve retrieved the box with the bow, I open the door to see Grayson is ready to follow. “Grayson, do you know where my husband is?”

“Yes, ma’am, he’s in the library.”

Of course he is. “Thank you.” I head toward the Blair House library. I find Bennett sitting by the roaring fire, with one leg crossed over the other, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose while he’s intently reading a thick, old book. I clear my throat when he doesn’t even realize I’ve walked into the room.

Bennett looks up and inhales a sharp gasp. He opens his mouth to speak, but is unable to say anything. Carefully, he lays the book on the coffee table beside him and stands. “Wow,” he finally manages to whisper.

I can’t drag my eyes off of his fitted black tuxedo. The crisp white shirt pops against his dark tie. I can’t help but smile as he saunters toward me. “You look amazing.” I notice the tie is black with a delicate webbing of translucent silver threads.

“Me?” His cheeks fill with air that he slowly expels. “Not one person is going to be looking at me. You on the other hand.” He reaches for my hands, but instantly notices the gift box. “What’s this?”

“This—” I hand it to him. “—is for you.”

“I should be buying you something, not the other way around.” I can’t wipe the massive smile off my face as I wait for him to open the box. “Should I open it now?”

“No, wait for Christmas, it’s only eleven months away,” I sarcastically retort. “Or maybe for your next inauguration.”

Bennett lifts his chin to look at me and smirks. “You think I’ll get reelected? I’ve been in office for all of six hours. The country might end up hating me.”

“Impossible.” I pointedly look at the box he’s holding. “Today might be a good idea considering we have a ball to attend. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think we can blow this thing off.”

“You can always blow me if you want.”

My eyes widen as I discreetly look around to ensure the Secret Service agents aren’t close to enough to have heard. “You’re an ass,” I say as I turn to face him, knowing both Grayson and Mark are standing in the room. Thankfully, both pretend to not have heard, but it doesn’t stop the heat from burning my cheeks. “Open your damned present.”

Bennett chuckles but eventually flicks the bow off and opens the box. His brows rise as his mouth makes a perfect O. “Whoa.” He takes it out of the packet and studies it. “This is a beautiful Tag Hauer watch.”

“It’s silver. Matches me.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you, darling.” He quickly slides the watch on his left wrist and flicks the little buckle to keep it in place. Bennett steps into me and pulls me in for a hug. “I want to kiss you,” he whispers.

“You can’t, my makeup is done.”

He tenderly kisses my forehead. While in his arms, I feel him let out a long sigh. “Tonight, after the ball we’ll be arriving at the residence.” Although we’ve been living in the White House, I insisted on getting ready here before the several balls we need to attend, leading up to the last ball at the White House.

“Are you okay?”

“I know this is what we’ve worked so hard for, but it’s also overwhelming. I have the well-being of the entire United States of America in my hands. Every man, woman and child will be looking to me to make the hard decisions.”

I step back and look up into his dark expressive eyes. “And you’ll make them with confidence, because you have Liam who will always have your back, and you have me.”

“I love you.” He wraps me tighter against his body.

“I love you too, but we have to leave.”

“I know,” he acknowledges. It takes Bennett another moment or two to release me. He sucks in a deep breath, then looks over to Mark. Swallowing, he gives Mark a small nod. “I’m ready.”

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