“Next time you have some free time, bring her over. We’d like to spend more time with the two of you.” They stepped into the elevator and Dad pressed the button for Carl’s floor. “Maybe Curt and Taylor can join us.”
It sounded like Dad had already accepted Taylor into the family fold—not that his younger brother would end his relationship with Taylor if their dad didn’t like her.
“I think you and your brother have both found women who’ll fit nicely into the family. Your mom agrees with me.”
When it came to whom he dated, Brett didn’t need his parents’ approval. However, the fact they both liked Jen and we’re prepared to welcome her to the family pleased him.
The light indicating they’d reached the tenth floor lit up, and the doors opened. “Will do. But it might not be for several weeks.” He didn’t have a lot of free time. What little he had, he’d rather spend with Jen, not Jen, his parents, and brother.
They approached the reception area and Brett checked in with the office receptionist.
“Yes, I’ve seen your upcoming schedule. I think you should plan to take Jen to some of the events,” Dad said while they waited to go into Carl’s office.
“Why?”
“Voters view a candidate in a stable relationship more favorably than one who’s single. While you have a decent lead over Ted, there’s no reason not do everything you can to increase and maintain it. Trust me. Showing up with Jen will go a long way with the voters.”
Down the hallway, Carl’s office door opened and his assistant started toward the reception area. Before she reached them and overheard their conversation, Brett said, “I’m not sure how Jen would feel about coming.”
“If you win this election, she’ll have to get used to such events. The sooner you help her get used to them, the better.”
They hadn’t talked about how his life would change if he won and what it would mean to their relationship. It wasn’t that he was avoiding it. It simply hadn’t occurred to him, and she never brought up the topic. Brett didn’t know if his d
ad was right about voters liking candidates in stable relationships more or not, but he was right about Jen having to attending various social events if he won. He’d have to prepare her for the possibility.
“I’ll talk to her about coming to a few. I’m seeing her this weekend,” Brett said.
Carl’s assistant, Dee, reached them and smiled. “Good evening, gentlemen. Mr. Filmore is ready for you.”
Later he’d review his upcoming schedule and see which public events Jen might be interested in. Right now, he’d concentrate on getting through this meeting despite the sudden renewed pounding in his head.
Chapter Eleven
Phillip reviewed the newest data. Despite all the baby kissing and handshaking Ted had done over the past couple of weeks, his numbers were not moving. They’d already spent a small fortune on television commercials and billboard ads. He had teams of Smith supporters out knocking on doors and putting up signs in every town and city across the Bay state. None of those efforts were paying off either. Like Phillip had feared it would, Ted’s ultimate successes hinged on his plan to uncover something they could use against the golden boy, Brett Sherbrooke. And when Ted arrived in a few minutes, he’d want an update on Phillip’s progress.
Up until several hours ago, he had feared they’d hit a brick wall on that front. It seemed everyone known to associate with Brett had just as disgustingly clean a background as he did. They couldn’t even find a jilted woman or one-night stand in the man’s past they could exploit to their own end. The man was like a super Boy Scout.
Today’s edition of the Boston Times had given him a tiny hint of hope though.
A knock on his office door had him looking up from his computer screen.
“Mr. Smith is here to see you,” his secretary said, poking her head inside the room.
“Send him in.” Phillip finished typing the web address in and waited for the Star Report’s website to pop up. He never checked the site out. It contained only celebrity news and gossip, none of which he concerned himself with. Hollywood actors and reality stars didn’t put money in his bank accounts. Politicians did. However, tonight he hoped to find something he could to use to his client’s advantage. Sherbrooke might not be a movie star, but the media treated his family like celebrities. Hopefully, the national media was capitalizing on the same story the Boston Times, the Worcester Daily News, and the Providence Gazette had put out there today.
“Good to see you again, Phillip.” Ted walked inside the room, his full swagger back in place. The momentary defeat Phillip had witnessed during their last private meeting at Ted’s house was gone and thankfully it hadn’t made a repeat appearance since. Phillip hoped it stayed that way until after the election. Once Ted was in Washington, he didn’t care what happened to him or how he portrayed himself.
“Help yourself to a drink if you want before we begin.” Phillip pointed toward the well-stocked wet bar across the room. Today’s meeting would only be the two of them. The rest of the campaign staff didn’t even know it was taking place. So if they decided to be more casual than usual, no one would know or care.
While Ted poured himself something, Phillip turned his attention to the popular magazine’s website landing page. What he saw brought an immediate smile.
Ted set a drink down near Phillip’s keyboard and sat across from him. “I reviewed the latest numbers,” he said as he raised his glass toward his lips. “They haven’t budged, and we’re running out of time.”
Phillip was aware of exactly how much time they had left. He didn’t need Ted to remind him.
“Have you found anything we can use against Sherbrooke? No one can be as perfect as he seems,” Ted said with disgust.
When it came to most people, Phillip would agree. Much to his annoyance, Brett Sherbrooke did seem above reproach. “I’m not sure. I was about to give up on that angle and focus on another. A new development came up recently.”