Carter leans in to peck me on the cheek. “I see someone’s on the ball tonight. Excellent. I’ll be right back.” He crosses behind Owen when he leaves, giving Owen’s shoulder a brief squeeze when he passes.
This is something else I know kills Owen a little inside. The fact that Owen watches Carter head for the buffet line is just more proof.
Owen wanted to getbothour plates, but getting one for me, his friend and lieutenant governor, is being a gentleman.
Getting one for his chief of staff?
If anyone noticed and decided to ask about it, it would mean uncomfortable questions, at best.
Insinuations at worst.
Insinuations we cannotrisk. Especially right now.
* * * *
Once Owen and I have eaten, we each set out to work the room, greeting people, thanking them for their attendance, taking pictures, selfies, all of that. Carter shadows Owen and Dray shadows me, both of them periodically making notes on their phones as necessary.
This is a celebration, but it’s a working one.
Before the cake is served, a series of people stand on stage and give brief comments, congratulations, prepared remarks, including Senator Samuels.
Then I take the stage. I normally would have prepared remarks to read from, but not tonight. Tonight, the spotlight rightfully belongs on Owen, not me. I want it to be my boy’s words they remember.
A trooper from the security detail, who is standing in front of the stage, holds my hand as I climb the steps and take center stage to thunderous applause, a standingO. I’m handed a cordless mic.
I glance first at Carter and Owen, then at Daddy and Momma. Daddy looks proud of me, and for a brief moment I feel badly that I now hold a higher office than he ever did.
That feeling vanishes when I realize he himself would chide me for feeling like that.
Daddy’s proud of me, of that I have no doubt.
But Senator Benchley Evans is even prouder, even if his soul is likely a shade of pure green right now.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. We’ll be getting to the dancing here shortly, but first, I wanted to say a few words. Tonight is about all of you as much as it is about what we’ve accomplished. We never could have done this without you. I, for one, am very grateful.”
I let the applause settle before I continue. “My husband and I have known Owen Taylor since college. We were roommates with the man for years and didn’t kill him.”
I smile, pausing for the laughter. “He’s not just our best friend—he’s adopted family to both of us. He’s agoodman, which is why I didn’t hesitate to say yes when he asked me to run as his lieutenant governor. And I cannotbegin to tell you how proud I am to stand here before you tonight and be the one with the honor and privilege of introducing to you the governor of our great state of Florida…GovernorOwen Taylor.”
I have no words to express how powerfully that hits me, saying it like that.
I blink back unexpected tears.
Owen’s eyes are fixed only on me through the applause. He stands, waving as he approaches and steps up on the stage to take the microphone from me, pecking me on the cheek as he does.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” he silently mouths to me with his back turned to the room. I step out of the spotlight and return to the table to stand next to Carter, clapping with the rest of the audience.
I know Owen’s a little choked up, but he’s got this. He’s rehearsed this speech dozens of times with me and Carter and Dray, and he knows it by heart.
“Thank you, everyone. Thank you. Before I say anything, I want to thank my best friend, Carter Wilson, for his years of love, friendship, and support.” He smiles down at Carter, who’s wearingthatsmirk. Carter tips his head in a nod that both Owen and I know has silent meaning.
Love you, boy.
I’m so proud of you.
You did good.
“I’d also like to thank Carter for letting me borrow my other best friend, Susa, for the next four to eight years. I couldn’t have done this without her, either. Or without all of you. Dad, Mom.”
