Page 48 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“If I had my druthers, I’d have no platform. But since I can’t have my druthers and be married to Nick, the platform is what it is, and it’s mine to use on whatever I want, such as a road race in honor of our beloved colleague.”

“Your support will make a huge difference.”

“Nick and I will run the race.”

“Wait. What?”

“I said Nick and I will run the race. Do you need to get your hearing checked?”

“You’re going to run a 5K?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Um, okay,” he said, clearly trying not to howl with laughter.

“How far is that, anyway?”

Freddie lost it laughing. “Three-point-one miles.”

“No biggie.”

“You’d better start training now, killer.”

Sam made a mental note to get her ass on the treadmill ASAP. “I don’t need to train for that. I can run three miles in my sleep.”

“And when you come in last place, what will your platform have to say about that?”

“Shut up.”

“What? It’s an honest question.”

“Are you going to run it?”

“Of course I am. Arnold was one of my best friends.”

“So you’ll be giving up your doughnut and junk food habit while you train?”

“Why would I need to do that?”

“So you don’t drop dead?”

“Dude. I run three miles every day of my life and haven’t dropped dead yet.”

“Well, that’s a freaking miracle considering your hellacious diet.”

Sam pulled into the parking lot at the National Pipefitters Association on Mount Vernon Avenue shortly after nine thirty, having sacrificed forty minutes of her life she’d never get back to travel four miles. “Someone needs to do something about the traffic situation in this area.”

“That’s a novel idea. I’m sure no one has thought of it.”

“You’re being very sassy today, young Freddie,” she said as she followed him from the car to the association’s main door.

“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

“That’s Lieutenant Obvious to you, Detective Clueless.”

“Like you ever let me forget that.” He rang the doorbell outside the association’s main door.

“Hear that? A regular, normal doorbell that goes ding-dong and lets people know someone is at the door. You don’t need gongs and symphonies and cymbals to get that job done.”

---