The Kingmaker (All the King's Men, #1)(93)

His assistant tugs on his arm drawing his attention away, and I take the opportunity to move as if released from a trance.

“Biggest night of the campaign so far,” I mutter to myself. “and you’re mooning over the candidate’s brother.”

When the moment arrives, it’s obvious Owen was made for it. He takes the stage, his wife and twins standing with him.

“I want to thank all of you for coming tonight,” he says with a smile that encompasses the entire room. “I’m sure you had a dozen places you could have been to bring in the New Year, but you chose to be here with my family and me.”

He turns to the right where we have strategically grouped most of the college leaders. I look to the back of the room and catch our producer’s eye, silently signaling him to make sure we get all those young, eager faces on camera for B-roll later. He nods and speaks into his headset.

“And a special thanks to all the young leaders who came on buses, trains, in caravans from all across the country to be with us tonight.” Owen gestures to the cluster of students who, as I knew they would, cheer as loudly as if Owen is scoring a touchdown instead of making a political speech. “Your energy and foresight and compassion are the things that will secure our future. I just hope us old folks don’t screw it up too badly before you get it.”

More cheers, and Kimba and I put our heads close together to whisper, identifying which of them it will be good to get reactions from after the announcement.

“When I started in the Senate ten years ago, I had that same energy and enthusiasm for getting things done,” Owen says, a rueful grin tipping one side of his mouth. “It’s easy to lose sight of our dreams and of the things that motivated us to public service in the first place when we get trapped in bureaucracy and political infighting. Being around you reminds me why it’s so important we never stop striving for the best of ourselves and of this country.

“Many of you may have heard rumors of my possible presidential run,” he says with a chuckle. “I know. Rumors in DC? Hard to believe. I’m confirming tonight that I have formed a presidential exploratory committee.”

The room erupts, and even the more staid party-goers seem to be affected by the youthful enthusiasm the students emit, and the energy skyrockets.

“If we get this much juice from the exploratory committee announcement,” Kimba says from the corner of her brightly-painted mouth, “imagine when he announces that he’s actually running.”

I nod my agreement, about to speak when I notice Maxim standing against the wall watching me. Before I realize what I’m doing, I take a step in his direction.

“Lenn,” Kimba says, jerking my attention away from Maxim and halting my steps. “Mark wants you in the back.”

By the time I speed-walk to the back and answer the producer’s questions, Owen is wrapping up.

“So over the next few months,” Owen says, “my team, my family and I will continue to kick the tires and see how far this should go.”

The students start chanting, “ALL THE WAY! ALL THE WAY!”

Owen smiles and holds up his hand to quiet the crowd so he can land the plane.

“There’s a lot ahead,” he says. “We hope soon to herald in a new era of politics in this, our great nation. Tonight, though, we’re heralding a new year. Grab a glass of champagne and find the ones you want to be closest to. I’ll be back in a few minutes to count in another great year. Thank you again for coming.”

I search the crowded room for Maxim, finding him still leaning on the wall with his arms folded, the ambassador’s daughter stuck to his side like flypaper. My hands ball into fists, my fingernails digging into my palms.

“Just staring,” Kimba says from beside me, “won’t get him.”

I didn’t even notice her come up, I was so fixated on them.

“What?” I drag my eyes away from the two glamorous people across the room, him a dark contrast to her fairness. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on, Lenn,” Kimba says, her usual no-nonsense tone somewhat gentled. “This is your girl. Talk to me.”

For a moment, I plan to ignore the frank sympathy in my best friend’s eyes, to tough it out and pretend I’m not in the midst of some kind of existential crisis, but I’m tired of holding this armor in place. It’s slipping anyway.

“He asked for another chance,” I say after a pause. “Maxim, he said he was young and stupid and made a mistake before. He asked me to forgive him.”

Kimba nods slowly, dipping her head to catch my lowered eyes. “And have you forgiven him?”

My laugh comes quick and hollow. “Well, yeah. I guess somewhere along the way, I did.”

“Praise Jesus. I was gonna give you ’til the end of this campaign, honey, and then smack some sense into you.”

“That won’t be necessary. At least, I don’t think so.” I glance across the room where he stands with the Russian princess. “If he’s even still interested.”

“Oh, he’s interested.” Kimba follows my stare. “He’s a patient man.”

“Not really,” I say with a laugh. “Quite the opposite, but he’s trying.”

“Then why keep him waiting? Talk to him. Tell him tonight.”