Page 16 of Presidential Bargain
“What about the pollnumbers?”
“They haven’t come out yet. Give it a few days, though. Let’s get her out to some campaign events, get the public usedtoher.”
“Right.” Breakfast was delivered, interrupting my nervous thoughts. I wanted to see the poll numbers. I needed to see them in order to feel confident that this plan wasworking.
Everyone started digging in and when Jenkins lifted the dome on the waffles, I snatched it away from him. “Those are Georgie’s. Picksomethingelse.”
All three men—Jenkins, Lewis, and Sean—looked at me with the same confusedexpression. “What?”
“Nothing, man. Nothing. I’m happy to see you in such a good mood.” Sean helped himself to a bagel and coffee, then sat down withLewis.
The stylists arrived and I sent them in to Georgie, who still hadn’t reappeared. I followed them because I could only guard her waffle for so long before someone claimed it. She was sitting on a stool in front of a full-length mirror, wrapped in a white, fluffy terryclothrobe.
“I ordered you a waffle.” I sounded more nervous than I intended. “Do you want me to bring itinhere?”
“Thank you! That would bewonderful.”
I nodded and left the room to retrieve the plate of food. I also added a side of fresh fruit to her plate and had one of the aides follow me with a carafe of coffee and mugs. I set everything on the desk in her room and before I left, gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. The stylists didn’t know this relationshipwasn’treal.
I closed the door to her room and returned to my duties. Even though I had already won the official nomination, it felt like the campaign finallystarted.
The stylists watchedwith wide-eyedamusement as Jameson brought me breakfast and then left after a brief kiss. Silently, I savored Jameson’s attention. Since the death of my parents, I didn’t let too many people get close, including men. The affection and attention Jameson showed me awakened something inside of me that I had buried long ago, something I never thought I’d feel again.Desire.
I sat on the stool, lost in my own thoughts while my hair was blown out and teased into a high ponytail. I was allowed a small reprieve to eat a few bites of the fluffy Belgian waffle and fruit Jameson had ordered for me. I sipped on coffee while my nails were painted and makeup wasapplied.
Racks of designer dresses, blouses, and skirts were brought in for my selection. Today’s events were more formal and I wanted to pick something that would last throughout the day. It was also incredibly hot and muggy. In the end, I chose a sleeveless dress that was navy blue with an ivory floral print. The skirt of the dress was pleated with ivory lace inserts and swung beautifully as I walked. The stylists laid out a few accessories for me, but I selected a simple gold chain and pearl earrings. My ring would always be the centerpiece as long as Ihadit.
I walked out of the bedroom and all conversation ceased. It was weird to walk into a room full of boisterous men, only to have them stop and stare. It could make a girl feel extremely self-conscious or incredibly confident. The only opinion that mattered, though, wasJameson’s.
Jameson stepped away from the group and walked toward me. He reached for my hand and I slipped mine easily into his. I held his gaze for a long while, admiring the way he looked in his light gray suit and the perfect way my dress coordinated withhistie.
“You look perfect. Didyoueat?”
“I managed a few bites.” With his hand on the small of my back, he led me back to the dining room table where there were still ridiculous amounts of leftovers. Just how much food had he ordered? He poured a glass of orange juice and handed it to me. Then he placed a muffin on a plate and set it in frontofme.
“It’s going to be a very long day. You needtoeat.”
While I ate, I was briefed on the events of the day. They were mostly visits to community centers and then a fundraising dinner hosted by a few wealthy donors. When I looked up at Jameson, he must have understood my fearful expression because he smiledwidely.
“We will come back here to change, but it will be quick. Maybe you should select what you’re going towearnow.”
“Okay. Is it black tie?” I tried to recall whether or not I had seen evening gowns ontherack.
“It’s justcocktails.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing too glamorous, which meant comfort. I could handle a low-key event for my firstfundraiser.
It wasn’t long after that we left for the first event. Another black SUV with heavily tinted windows waited for us. I was also given a gift when I got myself settled—bound copies of Jameson’s policyproposals.
“You should read that whenever we’re in the car. Not only are you my fiancée, you also represent me. Anytime you’re speaking on your own, you’ll be expected to know thisinformation.”
I didn’t have a problem supporting his proposals. Prior to meeting Jameson, I had voted for him in the primary election. I believed in everything he stood for and everything he wanted to achieve aspresident.
I spent the car ride doing as I was instructed. I felt that this was getting to know him better than reading a file full of biographical information. You could tell a lot about a person by what they believed in and stood for. I started witheducation.
I found myself engrossed in his policy. Everything that he was proposing from pre-k to higher education aligned perfectly with my own beliefs. A gentle hand on my arm alerted me and I looked up from thematerials.
“We’re here,” Jamesoninformedme.
