Running Mate

Silence about this deal—could I do that not just for the next nine months, but for the rest of my life? I wasn’t known for being a blabbermouth when it came to important information, but at the same time, what if I accidentally spilled the beans in a moment of panic, like if the first time a mic was stuck in my face for an interview my mind went blank so I decided to blurt out, “It’s a fake engagement! I’m a fake! We’re faking it!”

“As well as the non-disclosure agreement you just signed,” Bernie added.

Now I knew why they’d had me sign the NDA earlier. If I broke it, I could end up being sued, which of course was the last thing I needed—not to mention that although he seemed like a sweet, gentle person, Senator Callahan probably knew people who could make me disappear if I ratted them out. I shuddered at the thought.

When Bernie reached over to pat my back, I jumped. “Don’t worry, Miss Monroe. Nothing bad is going to happen to you if you don’t agree to Senator Callahan’s proposal.”

My mouth dropped open. “Okay, that’s kinda starting to get a little creepy.”

He smiled. “My wife hates it, too.”

“I can imagine.”

When Senator Callahan cleared his throat, I turned my attention back to him. “Bernie’s right. Nothing is going to happen to you if you don’t take the deal. I know if you don’t take it, you’ll continue working hard to ensure I get elected.”

Holy shit. My job—how could I have forgotten about that? “If I do say yes—and that’s a very big if—what would happen to my job?”

“You would stay on as volunteer coordinator. Because I would need you working the campaign trail, we would bring someone else into headquarters while you worked part-time from the road when time allowed. Part of the cover story would be that you and Barrett met through the campaign, and the two of you decided to keep your relationship secret for many months because you didn’t want people to think you landed your job due to nepotism.”

Although I hated to admit it, that sounded plausible. It was obvious that they had put a lot of thought into this whole fake fiancée charade. With their effort and resources, I wasn’t sure how it could possibly fail.

While the pace of the campaign trail sounded grueling, I liked the idea of getting to travel and see different parts of the country. There was also the plus that I would be doing all that traveling at someone else’s expense. Throw in a million dollars, and I didn’t know how I could possibly say no. This was the type of opportunity where if you didn’t take it, you’d beat yourself up over it for the rest of your life.

Sitting there at that table, I felt like Eve in the Garden of Eden with the serpent coiled around my body, whispering into my ear to offer me the forbidden fruit. Change your life, take the deal. After all, it’s only for a little while. Think of how freeing it will be to no longer be bound by financial strain.

At the end of the day, how hard could it be to pretend to be in love with Barrett? I’d faked love tons of times over the years in the theatrical productions I’d been in. This couldn’t be that different.

Then, as I glanced around the table, I realized for the first time that someone was noticeably absent: my future fake fiancée. “Why isn’t Barrett here?”

Senator Callahan shifted in his leatherback chair. “He isn’t aware that we’re having this meeting.”

My mouth dropped open so far I felt it might hit the table. “You mean you just pitched this whole scheme to me without his consent?” I huffed in outrage.

“Yes.”

“That’s crazy.”

“At first glance, perhaps, but upon further inspection, no. I wanted to be able to present the entire picture to Barrett when I sat him down, to be able to say we had someone who had confirmed, and this is who she is.” With a tight smile, Senator Callahan added, “I come from a business background, Miss Monroe. I’m all about the art of the deal, and the best way to sell a product.”

“What happens if Barrett says no?”

“He won’t,” he replied, the strength of his voice echoing his belief.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know my son.”

Since I hadn’t yet become a parent, I knew I couldn’t argue with that statement. I had to believe, like Senator Callahan did, that Barrett would agree. “Does Mrs. Callahan share your certainty?”

“Jane is fully aware of what I’m proposing. I rarely do anything without running it by her first.”

So Mrs. Callahan was in on the scheme, too. I wondered just how many insiders would know the truth about Barrett. I was sure if I asked that question, Senator Callahan would merely play it off by saying Washington is built on secrets. If the identity of Deep Throat in the Watergate scandal could stay buried for decades, I was pretty sure Barrett’s and my secret was safe. Maybe there would be some kind of secret handshake to let me know who was in the know. Either way, I would need to know who knew what so I didn’t accidentally talk openly with someone not in the know. Can I really do this?

“If you need to take some time to think it over, I will understand. I know we’re asking a lot of you,” Senator Callahan said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the table.

Maybe I should have taken more time. Maybe I should have stopped to weigh the emotional cons of this crazy scheme. Maybe I should have thought about what would happen if I actually fell in love with Barrett Callahan.