Page 87 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

“I’m going downtown to breakfast to talk with Charles and Michael more about getting involved in Charles’ reelection campaign.Michael is having some of his people join us so I can ask them questions since Charles’ people are in Baton Rouge.But I’ll meet them when we get back.”

Bennett just blinked at her.

Kennedy tipped her head.“Oh, I guess you had already come upstairs when we started talking about that.”

“Um.Yeah.I guess I had.”Bennett shifted.“You’re going to get involved with Charles’ reelection campaign?”

She smiled again, brightly.She looked excited.

Dammit.

“They think that’s a good way to get me started learning the ropes.And, obviously, he needs people all over the state.I can help talk to people in our parish in the small towns about his plans and stuff.There’s nothing like having one of your neighbors or someone you can really relate to telling you about his ideas and plans and listening to what they’re concerned about.”

Bennett sighed.“Sounds like they gave you the full spiel.”

She frowned.“It’s not a spiel.We were talking about how I should get involved and that’s what I realized.”

“How you should get involved helping Charles connect to the small-town bayou people that he needs to get reelected,” Bennett said, not even trying to hide his disgust.He pushed the blanket back and swung his legs over the side of the bed.“You’ve been here for less than forty-eight hours and he’s already got you working for him.”He looked back at her as he stood.“Or, I should say, volunteering, right?You’re working for free?”

Kennedy scrambled off the bed, too, also frowning.“I’mhelpinghim.No, it’s not paid.But it’s like an internship.I need to learn how this all works, and being in the field will teach me a lot.”

“Why do you need to learn how this all works?”Bennett asked.He pulled a T-shirt out of his suitcase and yanked it over his head.

“So I know what to do when it’s my turn to do it.”

Bennett pulled his jeans on and turned to face her.“I told you I don’t want to run for office.Not here.Not in Louisiana.I want the bayou.I want Autre.I want my foundation.”He blew out a frustrated breath.“I wantyou.I love that you believe in me.”He took a step closer to her.“I love that you were able to fit in here and learned more about my life and what all is involved in my past.And now.But I don’t want to run for office.I don’t need a campaign manager or whatever you’re looking to learn.”He stopped right in front of her.“I was hoping, actually, that you’d work with the foundation with me.”

Kennedy folded her arms, keeping a space between them.She lifted a brow.“And what would I be doing with the foundation?I’m not a scientist or an engineer.”

“You’d help with…phone calls and the mailing list.Setting up functions where we show people what we’re doing.We could take them out on tours and show them the bayou and the islands and what we’re working on.”

“So…I could be your secretary.”

Bennett winced.“That’s not what I’d call it.”

“Your assistant then?”

“Um…” He really thought that yes was the wrong answer here.

Her eyes narrowed.“You wouldn’t be asking me to send you files?”she asked.

“I would…not do that,” he decided right then and there.

“Because, as my past emails to you have said, I’m not your fucking secretary.”

“Right.I know.”

She dropped her hands but moved to the dresser and stepped into a pair of red heels that he’d just noticed.Those had to be his mother’s, too.

“Well, then I guess it’s all a good thing I wasn’t talking about you running for office and that I’m not going to breakfast to learn how to be your campaign manager.”She turned to face him.

“Then what are you going to learn?”

“What it takes to be a candidate.”

Bennett stared at her.“A…candidate?For office?”

She lifted her chin.“Yes.”

---