Page 178 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

Tracy laughed. “I’m referring to his maturity level.”

“Which is a concern.”

“Sweetie…”

“I know what you’re going to say, and it’s nothing I haven’t told myself. Eventually, I’m going to have to be with a guy that way, and it may as well be with someone who truly cares about me.”

“Does he truly care?”

“I think he does. He’s very… kind.”

“That’s the most important thing. If I recall correctly, he’s also very handsome.”

“Yes, he is.” Her roommates called him McDreamy after seeing him on FaceTime calls. “Are you crying?”

“No, of course not.”

“Yes, you are. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just so happy for you that you’ve found a nice, kind, handsome man who makes you smile.”

“Don’t start planning the wedding, Mom. So far, it’s just a lot of texting and FaceTime, and one time we went to Air and Space and got pizza. It’s not a big deal.” Even as she said those words to her mother, Brooke admitted they were a lie. It was already a very big deal, and she knew it.

“But it could be?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. We’re not there yet.”

“We can talk more next weekend.”

“About that… I don’t think I’m going to make it.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Well, it seems Nate is coming down to ‘hang out’ for the weekend.”

“Ah, I see. Is he staying with you?”

Brooke loved the way her mom asked that so casually. “No, he’s getting a hotel.”

“And you’re freaking out about it.”

“Trying not to. He made me promise I wouldn’t.”

“I like this young man.”

“I like him, too.”

“That’s okay, you know, to like him.”

“I’m trying to just be normal about it.”

“Should you check in with Savannah?” Tracy asked, referring to the therapist who’d been so instrumental in putting Brooke back together after the attack.

“Maybe. I’m trying not to blow it up into a bigger deal than it is. I never expected casual texting to turn into something so…”

“Important?”

“Yeah.”

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