by PE Kavanagh
“Me neither. But I remember your brother.”
Of course. Her superstar brother. “Yeah, Jackson’s pretty memorable. I was really little and probably inconsequential.”
“I can’t imagine that ever being true, but I'm glad to meet you again.”
Jenna shifted her weight from one foot to the other, remembering about her interrupted trip to the bathroom. He wasn’t speaking. Or moving out of her way.
“So, tell me something about yourself. What do you do?”
She looked around at the line forming behind him. Wow, what an orderly group of people, patiently waiting their turn to talk to the man of the day. “I’m a schoolteacher. Middle school history.”
“Tell me about middle school history. I'm kind of a history buff myself.”
The warm tingle of alcohol entering her bloodstream sent a flush to her cheeks. At least, she thought it was the alcohol. “You know, I really thought it was going to work. I thought, if I get them young enough, if I show them the lessons we’ve learned, over and over, then maybe they would think differently. Act differently. I was top of my class in school – sociology and political science double major. I know stuff that can help them make a difference in the world. Make better choices. Understand the patterns and cycles that are fairly predictable and consistent.”
Had he moved even closer to her? It felt like all she could see was blue.
“I’m getting that it’s not quite working out that way.”
“Well, the first problem is that I'm working in an elite private school. I'm basically a servant to the tyrannical parents and their little despots-in-training. I have absolutely no power, no influence, no impact.”
“That sounds pretty shitty.”
The tequila was loosening her inhibitions and her lips. “Yeah. I really wanted to make a difference. Bring forth a new way of leading people, of being benevolent stewards of our communities, maybe of this country.”
“Why not go into politics yourself?”
“It’s not for me. I'm not interested in putting up with what a woman like me would have to put up with just to be heard. I think politics used to be the meeting ground for grand ideas and high ideals. Now it’s the last stop for the greedy, power-hungry, and ignorant.”
She didn’t understand the shocked look on his face at first. Then it dawned on her that she was attending a political rally. His political rally.
Her hand flew up to cover her mouth. Too bad all that nonsense had already slipped out. “Holy shit! I'm so sorry.”
He burst out laughing. “Jenna King, you are the most interesting person I’ve encountered in this whole room. No one talks like that anymore, which I think is part of the problem. We’re not addressing the reality of the matter. We’re just tap-dancing around all of it.”
Relief returned in the form of a deep breath. She had to learn how to hold her tongue at some point. Maybe less tequila too. “I meant no offense. Maybe you’re the exception.”
“I want to be.”
Something about how he said that made her believe him. Wow. This guy knew something about wielding power.
“I’ve got a funny proposition.”
She grimaced.
He grinned. “No, not like that. Come work with me. I'm putting together my team and someone like you would make a great addition. I want the truth, as blunt and inappropriate as it may be. I haven’t yet met someone I trusted to give it to me.”
Well, that was exciting. “I don’t live here, Connor. I live in California.”
“Doesn’t matter. Come here for the next ten months, assuming I make it through the primaries. Then you can go back to your bratty students in California.”
He touched her arm, which would normally have sent off alarms, but there was nothing sexual or predatory about that touch. Interesting.
“I have to tell you, Connor, that’s one of the most interesting propositions I’ve gotten in a long time. You seem like a good guy. I know my family thinks so. But I can’t leave my life, move across the country and learn everything about political campaigns. Thanks, but no.”
Besides politics is boring.
Someone tapped Connor on the shoulder. Before turning to acknowledge Mrs. Tappy Hands, he looked Jenna in the eye. Yeah, those big brown eyes were something. “Thanks for chatting with me, Jenna.”
The couple behind him beamed as he gave them his attention. “Hello. I so appreciate your support.”
* * *
Jenna snuck past them and made her way toward the bathroom, running into her best friend and soon to be sister-in-law on the way.
“Jenna! Where’ve you been? We thought maybe you snuck out and headed out to a biker bar.” Camille’s typical composure had left the building.
“I wish. No, I was chatting up the candidate, if you must know.”
“Really? I am actually surprised. But he was so inspiring. I almost wish I lived here, because he’d definitely have my vote.” Camille stared up, all dreamy eyes.
Geez. Jenna knew it wasn’t the hots. Camille had had it bad for Jenna’s brother Jackson forever. And they’d just gotten engaged. So, that look on her face was, like, inspiration, or something. Weird. “Hmmm. So, what’s next?”
“We’re going back to the house. For a more intimate get together.”
Camille had been friends with Connor’s sister, Ramona, for a few months and had given Jenna the scoop. The Barretts were an old school southern political dynasty, apparently. Hopefully more stately mansion than plantation. Either way, a definite snooze-fest.
Jenna pretended to yawn. “Yeah. Soooo exciting.”
Her best friend jabbed her in the ribs. “Can you stop being such a pain? I’m sure it won’t last long, then you can make your way to the seediest, smelliest bar you can find, and go find some leather-clad unshaven dude to grind up on.”
Jenna threaded her arm through Camille’s and pulled her toward the bathroom. “Now, you’re talking.”
* * *
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ALSO BY PE KAVANAGH
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FRIENDS & LOVERS SERIES
Collecting Secrets (Book One)
Coming Home (Book Two)
Claiming Power (Book Three, coming soon)
THE PRICE SERIES
The Price of Desire (Book One)
Sex, Money, and the Price of Truth (Book Two)
Available at your favorite online retailers.
GRATITUDES
* * *
As with most of the stories that consume me, this one held a firm grip. Lucas, Ramona, their families and friends fought for my attention, resulting in the first three books of the Friends & Lovers Series. They are characters who’ve succeeded and failed in equal measure, and whose yearning to be seen and heard and loved stole my own heart.
There are always so many to thank…
The intrepid readers undaunted by the story in its clunky, messy beginnings and who helped me excavate the most gleaming story I could write. Special thanks to my beloved Scribophile groups.
My darling, the Latin hottie who tells me how wonderful all my writing is (even when it isn’t) and is always hungry for more.
My girl, who isn’t strictly allowed to read my books, but always has a remarkably helpful opinion to share about human behavior, fonts, and Photoshop.
And you. Of course, you, who chose to come along on the wild adventure with me. We’ve got so much more fun in store for us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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I believe that everything we experience exists as a story within us.
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My journey as a writer includes the award-winning poem I penned at the ripe old age of seven, decades of hiding and doubt, and then finally… finally!... realizing that art needs to be shared. Storytelling is part of my heritage, even though I denied it for so long. The stories I created - true and imaginary - have saved m
e numerous times.
My characters come to me,
like old friends excited to tell me what's new.
They represent the world I see
and the world I want to see.
More than anything, I care about recovery from life’s setbacks… getting back on your feet after life has brought you to your knees… and my characters fight the hard fight for the lives they know are waiting for them.
I’ve drawn my inspiration from the many flavors of my life experience. Once a sad, shy girl, I’ve also been an MIT-trained engineer, biotech executive, professional dancer, yoga teacher and business owner, school founder, spiritual counselor, entrepreneur, and author.
And I own a magic wand that I’m certain will work one day.
When I’m not typing furiously trying to capture the stories that pour from me, you can find me loving my people to excess, globe-trotting to the next great adventure, and sporting bright red lips as a tango diva. And of course on my digital homes: pekavanagh.com and boldsoulcoaching.com.
