Page 16 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

Nick followed suit.

“That’s good, but your elbow needs to come forward a bit, and the top of your arm should be more horizontal. May I, sir?”

“Of course.”

Juan adjusted Nick’s arm according to his instructions. “And don’t forget, you always salute with your right hand, unless that arm is in a cast or sling.”

“Got it.”

“How’s he looking?” Dr. Harry Flynn asked as he came into the Oval Office.

“I think he’s got it,” Juan said, saluting Nick, who returned the salute.

“Normally, the Navy doesn’t salute indoors except for special occasions, but this is just for practice. The Army and Air Force salute indoors, outdoors, on base, off base.”

“That’s good to know,” Nick said.

“As the commander in chief, they’re always saluting you, not the other way around,” Juan added.

“In my mind, I’m saluting you guys for the job you do to keep us safe.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll see you on Marine One.”

Juan and the other military attachés who rotated through the assignment accompanied Nick everywhere he went as the keepers of the “football” that contained the nuclear codes.

“The fun never ends around here, does it?” Harry asked when they were alone.

“You have no idea.”

“Heard about the North Koreans messing with Christmas. Everything okay there?”

“For now. That’s always a precarious situation, as you know. Ready for some R&R at Camp David?”

“We can’t wait,” he said of himself and his new fiancée, Lilia, who was also Sam’s first lady chief of staff.

“How’s engaged life treating you?”

“Never been better. I’m so, so glad I waited for her.”

“She’s great, and I’m glad you waited, too. She’s perfect for you.”

“In every possible way. I’ll admit I used to think you and Sam were so… What’s the word I’m looking for?”

“Ridiculous?”

Harry laughed. “I wouldn’t say that, exactly, but close. And now… Now, I get it. When it’s right, you don’t care who knows you’re madly in love.”

“Speaking of that, we’ve heard Saturday Night Live is going to debut the actors playing us this weekend, and the focus will be on our too-hot-to-handle romance.”

“Stop,” Harry said, sputtering with laughter.

“I believe the term used to describe the skit was ‘dry hump.’”

Harry lost it laughing. “That’s going to be the highlight of my holiday season.”

“I thought getting engaged would be.”

“Nope. That will be.”

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