Page 62 of Enemy of My Enemy
White House
In the morning,Sergey called back, saying that he would be delighted to visit Jack and Ethan and he looked forward to a full state dinner. And that he liked VealOrlovandMedovukha. He’d be there in ten days, provided he wasn’t shot, poisoned, or stabbed first.
Jack started to fret when the call ended. Ethan, Irwin, and Elizabeth surrounded the Resolute desk, Irwin and Elizabeth furiously typing out messages on their cell phones to their staff.
“I have no idea what to do now.” Jack’s gaze bounced from Irwin to Elizabeth. “This is my first state dinner. How do I even get this started?”
Ethan smiled. “Actually, this is my job.” He thought of Barbara and Jennifer. “This is all my job.”
* * *
Barbara grippedher pearls in one hand and the polished wooden arm of Ethan’s blue couch in the other when he called his staff together and told them Sergey would be arriving in ten days for Jack’s first state dinner.
“Mr. First Gentleman, state dinners takemonthsto prepare. So many things have to be done in sequence. The Calligraphy Office needs to be informed. Guest lists need to be drafted. The china must be selected, and the linens. Entertainment for the evening. I haveneverheard of a state dinner happening in less than four months.” Her shocked eyes flitted to Jennifer.
“I need to order flowers. I need to figure out what kind of décor we even want, Mr. First Gentleman. For the Russians…” Jennifer bit her lip. “I need time to figure out the right atmosphere for the evening.”
“Is this even wise?” Brandt had a deep frown on his forehead. “Russia is a serious hot button right now.”
“But President Puchkov has taken a major step forward in working toward equality, and yes, that’s something to celebrate.” His chief of staff gestured as she spoke.
His staff looked terrified. “President Puchkov’s stance on LGBT Russians should be applauded, yes. But in addition to that, he needs to get out of Russia for a bit. He’s facing assassination attempts daily, and Jack wants to help however he can.” Hissed inhales sounded around his office. “That doesn’t leave this room.” Nods, from everyone. “We’re also making a major announcement at the end of the visit. A partnership between our two countries. Brandt, you can leak that right before the dinner.”
Intrigue brightened Brandt’s gaze.
“I know this is going to be difficult. But we’ve got to do it. Barbara, how can we make this manageable?”
“Make it small. A usual state dinner will host three to five hundred. Keep this one around a hundred.” She heaved a sigh. “We’ll have to be very picky with the invitations. Only the most critical to the president, and to President Puchkov. There will be a lot of hurt feelings after this.”
“What else is new?” Ethan tried to smile and lighten the mood.
Barbara didn’t look amused.
“Mr. First Gentleman, these state dinners are this Office’s Super Bowl. This is what we’re here for. And you’re asking for a Super Bowl in ten days?” She picked up her notepad. “We will need to figure out what we can do now,andget the chief usher in here today.” She fingered her pearls, rolling the strand between her thumb and forefinger. “Are you and the president thinking black tie or white tie?”
“Black tie,” his chief of staff interrupted. “For this soon, you have to go black tie. No one can get white tie in ten days.”
Ethan snapped his fingers and pointed her way. “Yes. Black tie.”
Jennifer chimed in. “I have to do an inventory of the flowers on hand and what we can reasonably expect to order for the event. What kind of décor and theme are we thinking?”
Ethan looked to Barbara. He was rapidly getting in over his head.
“Something simple, something that symbolizes the unity between our two countries…” Barbara’s eyebrows rose as she looked to Ethan for guidance.
He nodded back. Sounded good so far.
Her eyes closed. Jennifer winced. Barbara pressed on, though. “How about… a simple cream and gold table linen—”
“We still have the Yves Delorme silks on loan,” Jennifer interjected.
“Perfect. And… a centerpiece of short red roses, surrounded by white and then blue flowers?”
“I can box everything and keep it low. An ultramodern look and feel? Maybe surround the centerpiece with white candles? I can throw some iron pieces in, try to get that hardy Russian feel?” Jennifer shrugged.
Everyone nodded, making wordless noises of agreement as Barbara smiled.
“Hyacinths would be too tall, but what about if I looked for cornflower or crocuses?” Jennifer turned to Ethan. “They should be available right now…” She trailed off.
