“Call me if you need me for anything.”
“Will do.”
Sam slapped her phone closed. “I’ve got the next two days off.”
“Oh boy, what’s your plan?”
“More than anything, I want to be with the kids, and I want to see Tracy and her kids.”
“Technically, even though Harry cleared them to return to school, the twins could probably use one more day to recover, and Scotty would lose his mind if we let him take a sick day.”
“Tell me the truth.”
Her serious tone had his brows knitting with confusion. “About?”
“Did the apocalypse happen while I was asleep?”
“Huh?”
“Are you, the ultimate nerd rule follower, actually suggesting we give our kids a fake sick day?”
He attempted to look sinister—and failed miserably. “Did you just call me a nerd?”
“Does the shoe fit, Mr. President?”
“Here I am, trying to give my precious wife the thing she said she most needs today, and what do I get for my trouble but name-calling and disdain.”
“You’re very cute when you’re being indignant.”
He leaned over her to nuzzle her neck. “You’re cute all the time, even when you’re calling your husband the president a nerd.”
Sam giggled as much from the words as the ticklish feel of his lips on her neck. “Why do you smell so ridiculously good at the ass crack of dawn?”
“Because I’ve already been up for two hours, showered, shaved, had two cups of coffee and am about to leave for my briefing.”
Sam put her arms around him. “They can’t start without you, right?”
“Usually, I’m the main event.”
“Tell me everything will be okay with Ethan.”
“We’ve got all the right people on it, and I also think keeping Scotty out of school and away from the questions today is the right move.”
“That’s a very good point.”
“I’ll have Christina release the statement we prepared. It reiterates that Ethan and his friend were victims of a senseless, violent crime, and thanks to their own ingenuity, they were able to escape. Anyone who says otherwise is peddling lies and conspiracy theories and could be opening themselves up to legal action. The statement also says that while we’re thankful and relieved to have Ethan and Tomas home safe, the first couple’s hearts are broken for the Ahern family.”
“You’re good at this. You might want to consider a career in politics.”
“Do you think I could go all the way?”
She gave him a lascivious smile as she ran her fingers over his silk tie. “Any time you want, sailor.”
“That’s commander in chief to you, ma’am.”
“Look at you, acting all presidential and shit. It’s not going to your head, is it?”
“Maybe a little. After all, they break into a special song just for me any time I enter the room.”
