The Phoenix Candidate(58)

“Let’s not play games, Grace. I know Conover was considering you. At least until he got Boyle on board. Your star was rising, but now you’re about to fall off the radar if you don’t choose where your loyalties lie.”

“And what do you suggest?”

“Back my husband. Throw your weight behind him on all the issues where you’re strongest. Women’s issues. Gun control. Environmental policy.”

“But those are the issues where we disagree most.”

Lauren shakes her head, as if I’m a slow learner. “That doesn’t matter, Grace. The people who know you know what matters to you. They know what you stand for. If you back Aaron Darrow, they’ll see you stand for him.”

“But that won’t be true,” I argue, amazed by her simple math that just doesn’t add up. “I can’t expect voters to conflate the issues I’ve worked on for years with what Darrow stands for. Whatever he stands for,” I add.

Truth? Darrow stands for whatever gets him elected.

The question is, do I?

“You can’t expect a fling with Conover’s consultant will get you anywhere,” she adds lightly. “I hope for your sake you’ve nipped that in the bud.”

I’m mid-sip on my coffee and I make a gurgling noise as I try and fail to keep my face impassive. “I think my record should speak for itself.”

Lauren leans in, her voice lowered. “Grace, can I tell you something? Woman to woman? In politics, your record will never be the first thing voters notice about you. There are certain standards in Washington—”

“You mean, double standards—”

“It is what it is, Grace. Perception trumps reality. Perception is reality. So you can either wait in the wings for Conover to pick you, which he won’t, and let this opportunity pass you by, or you can grab the bull by the horns and come out in support of Darrow.” She straightens. “If you’ve got half the ambition I imagine you have, I think you’ll realize which ticket’s the winner.”

I push a few files around on my desk. “It’s anyone’s race right now.” Boyle’s supporters could put Conover on top, but Conover’s health crisis could undermine him.

She shakes her head. “It’s ours to win, but right now, it’s yours to lose. It’s time to work with us.” She pulls a folder out of her slim leather bag and pushes it toward me. “These are the details of six appearances and interviews we’ve set up. You’ll appear there as a rumored running mate, but you won’t claim any connection to our campaign. That gives you the distance and credibility to say things about Darrow and Conover to help voters compare and contrast.”

I open the folder and scan the talking points. “You want me to lay land mines.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. Voters will listen to you on the issues. You don’t have to come out fully endorsing Darrow until the end of this, so long as you play your part right in these discussions.”

“You mean you want me to stick to the script.”

“You’re a fast learner, Grace.” Lauren’s lips curl. “And there’s one more thing. If you’re going to run with my husband, you need to stop seeing Jared Rankin.”

My eyes fly wide open, absolutely caught. “I’m not—”

“Really, Grace? Don’t lie to me. I told you to cut it off and you haven’t. He probably sent those.” She waves her hand toward the Oregon grape and rose bouquet, and my blush is admission enough.

How the hell does she know I’m still seeing him?

“Let me tell you something. Jared Rankin can’t be trusted. He’ll get in your pants while it serves his purpose, and then he’ll move on.”

I close the file. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to discuss this.”

“Don’t be stupid, Grace. Jared cares about two things: his campaign and his dick. If you can give him what he needs in both departments, he’ll keep you for a while, but considering Conover’s going to pick Boyle, I’d say your time is running out.”

The word stupid reverberates in my head. Stupid. Have I been stupid all along, believing Jared’s interest in me is more than sex and politics?

Lauren stands in preparation to go. “I’ll bet he hasn’t even kissed you.”

The words hit me like a slap in the face, like a blow to the chest, like the ultimate land mine. How could she possibly know? I suck in air, at a loss for words, and then Lauren answers my silent question.

“Jared gets around, Grace. I knew him when he was running small campaigns and I was covering the California state legislature.” She flicks her blond hair over her shoulder as if he were nothing but a pebble in her road. “Look, don’t take it personally, Grace. He’s good for a fast fuck. But intimacy is not in his DNA. He doesn’t do kissing or commitment because he knows he’s going to have to move on to the next candidate in a few months. And find the next woman to go with it.”