Page 63 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Do you want some time to think about it?” Sam asked.

“No, I don’t want time to think about it.”

Sam’s heart sank at the possibility of having to hire a stranger for the critical role of speaking for her. She could ask Darren Tabor, who also worked for the Star, but she suspected he wouldn’t want to change sides. He was a reporter through and through. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“What do you understand?”

“That you don’t want to do it. I know you’ve got a lot going on and that you’re grieving. It’s a big ask and probably insensitive of me to even propose this to you, but I told you I’d be a shit friend.” Sam stopped talking when she realized Roni was laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“You are. I never said I didn’t want to do it. I just said I didn’t need time to think about saying yes.”

“You’re saying yes?”

“That’s what I just said. But I’m warning you I’m apt to be a shit press secretary.”

“I’m a shit friend, so we’re good.”

“I may be a shit press secretary, but I’ll always be your friend and will protect you with everything I’ve got.”

“You’re hired.”

Roni’s giddy laughter filled Sam with an unreasonable feeling of joy. Sam hoped the new job might provide a distraction that would help Roni adjust to her new normal. “I seriously can’t believe you asked me.”

“Believe it. Other than your professional skills, you have the most important quality.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask what that is…”

“I actually like you. Do you know how rare that is?”

Roni laughed some more. “Gee, I’m so honored.”

“You should be. Ask anyone, it’s a rare, rare thing for me to admit to actually liking someone.”

“When do I start?”

“Andrea is here until the end of the year, so after the holidays?”

“That sounds good. I probably ought to give the Star some notice.”

“If you need more time than that, my chief of staff, Lilia, can handle things for a while, I suppose. She’s awesome. You’ll like her.”

“That makes two people you actually like. Be careful, you might get a reputation for being a nice person who likes people.”

“Shut your filthy mouth.”

Roni was laughing so hard, she couldn’t speak for a second. “In case I forget to say so, thank you for this. It may turn out to be just what I need.”

“You say that now. Talk to me in a couple of months when you’re ready to have me murdered.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Sam cringed when she realized what she’d said. “Jeez, Roni. I’m sorry. That was incredibly insensitive.”

“Stop. I didn’t even think of Patrick when you said that.”

“Still… I shouldn’t have gone there.”

“Please don’t walk on eggshells around me. I’m tougher than I look.”

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