Page 119 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“If there’s anything I can do to make this easier on you, I’m your girl.”

With his arm around her, he leaned his forehead against hers. “My very best girl.”

They were still there, lost in a stolen moment to themselves, when a knock on the door had them moving apart.

“Come in,” Nick called. “Someone must’ve given them a heads-up that you were in here, and they know better than to barge in when you’re here.”

Sam laughed at that. “Probably so.”

Trevor came in with several other people, including Christina Billings, or Christina Gonzales now.

“Did I tell you Christina agreed to be my press secretary?” Nick asked.

“You didn’t. Congratulations, Christina.”

“Thank you. I think. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the last few days, as I’m sure you are as well.”

“The head spins,” Sam said as the others took seats on the sofas and the chairs. “What’ll you do with Alex?”

“He’s back with Angela as of tomorrow,” Christina said of her and Gonzo’s son. “Thank goodness she was able to take him.”

“I’m sure she’s thrilled,” Sam said. “She’s missed him.”

“All right, everyone,” Trevor said, his curly hair out of control as usual. After he introduced the communications team to Sam, he said, “Let’s get to work preparing for the interview. The number one question we’ve received from the media since you were sworn in is about you being the youngest president in history.”

“It’s incredible to me that with all the problems this country has, that’s their top question,” Nick said.

“We agree, but you need to be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications and experience.”

“Is it okay to remind them that I was chosen by the president with the full understanding that if I was called to step in for him, I’d be the youngest president in history?”

Trevor looked to the others for consensus.

“I don’t see a problem with that,” Christina said. “It’s the truth. Nelson put his faith in you when he asked you to replace Gooding. The people who twice elected Nelson should have some faith in him, that he knew what he was doing.”

“I’m not afraid to remind people of that if need be,” Nick said, even though he was fully aware that the primary reason Nelson had chosen him was to benefit from the popularity Nick had enjoyed as a senator.

“The other most pressing question we’re receiving,” Trevor said with a nervous glance toward Sam, “is about Mrs. Cappuano continuing her role as a lieutenant with the Metro PD.”

“Are they for or against it?” Sam asked.

“Pretty evenly split,” Trevor replied. “Women are, in general, far more supportive than men.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Sam asked, feeling irked. “They think I ought to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Is there anyone left out there that doesn’t know that the pregnant part is a problem for me?”

“We don’t care what other people think,” Nick said. “What matters is what we think, and we think you’re an amazing detective doing the job you were born to do.”

How did he do that? How did he take her from steaming mad to swooning with a couple of perfect words? She relaxed against him, and he squeezed her shoulder, fully aware of his superpowers where she was concerned.

“What else should we be prepared for, Trevor?” Nick asked.

“Lots of questions about Ruskin and what happened in Iran.”

“I’ll take care of that.” To Terry, Nick said, “Did we receive the secretary’s letter?”

“We did.”

“Excellent. I’ll announce his resignation during the interview. That’ll give them a sound bite to promote it.”

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