Page 47 of Power
“Yeah, she’s going to buy everything she lands on.”
“You and I need to team up to beat her.”
“Hey!” I protest. “I’m sitting right here.” I look at the pizza boxes. “Pass me a slice of cheese.” Suddenly, I hear my garage door opening. I turn to Tash, who’s staring at me with the same perplexed, confused, terrified look on her face that I’m wearing. I gesture for her to keep an eye on Emily, who appears oblivious to what’s going on. I lay my pizza down and stand to go and see why my garage door is opening.
The door between my kitchen and the mudroom off the garage opens. I look around in panic, searching for the closest thing to use as a weapon. If I yell, Grayson will hear me and come running. I’m just about to scream when Mark enters, followed by Bennett. “What the hell?”
Bennett smiles as he approaches me and wraps his arms around me. “I missed you.”
“What are you doing here, and how did you get in my garage?”
He carefully kisses my mouth, being cautious of my swollen lower lip. “I told you. I missed you,” he says as he pulls back to stare and gently rub his thumb over my bruised cheek. “A lot.”
“You have to leave.”
“Why?”
“Do you not listen? Emily is home, and we’re eating pizza and playing Monopoly, so...” I step backward and flick my hand at him. “Shoo!”
“Are you embarrassed by me?”
“No, but I have no intention of answering her million questions about us.” I gesture between us.
“Mom!” Emily calls from the family room. “It’s your turn. What are you doing?”
I look toward the family room, then back at Bennett. “You have to go.”
He smiles cheekily. “No, I really don’t. My Friday night schedule is completely clear.”
I place my hand on his torso and try to push him back. But he’s built like a tank and won’t budge. “I like pizza and Monopoly,” he says.
“Mom!”
My jaw jumps as I shake my head. “You did this on purpose.”
“Absolutely,” Bennett admits. “Because I knew if I didn’t do this, then I’d never meet Emily.”
“You’re an ass.” Mark smirks as he tries his best to look around, being all protective and shit. “I don’t want Emily feeling intimidated. Can Mark stay out here?”
Bennett takes in a sharp breath before slowly nodding. “Sir,” Mark objects.
“Stay in the hallway, I don’t want the girl to see you.”
“Yes, sir.” Mark walks ahead of us and positions himself in the hallway so Emily can’t see him. But I know, at some point, Emily’s going to want to go to the bathroom or her room, and she’s going to freak out when she sees him.
“Hey, Emily,” I call as Bennett and I walk into the family room.
Tash’s eyes widen, and she scrambles to stand, but Bennett discreetly shakes his head. “Yeah, Mom?” Emily turns and notices Bennett. “Who are you?”
“This is a friend of mine. His name is Bennett.”
Emily chews on her pizza while staring at Bennett. “You look familiar.”
“Do I?” He walks over and looks at the spare place beside her. “May I?” Emily shrugs. “Are you playing Monopoly?”
“Yeah.” She’s still staring at him. “Who are you? And where do I know you from? Are you an actor?”
I snort with laughter causing both Bennett and Tash to look at me. “No, I’m not an actor. Do you know who the president of the United States is?”
