1
Faye
The smellof salt air brought a smile to my face the moment I stepped onto the patio. Though I was born and raised in Boston and still called it home, my family always spent summers at our estate on Cape Cod. It was the backdrop for some of my happiest childhood memories, especially the Fourth of July parties my parents put on every year.
This summer was different, though.
Seven months ago, my father became the Commander-in-Chief, and now he and my mom hosted state dinners and award ceremonies at the White House. That left my brother, Fallon, and me to carry on the family tradition at the Cape.
Before my father became the president, he had been a U.S. senator from Massachusetts. Even then, politics had never stopped at the office, so learning how to pull together a fantastic event and make it look effortless was practically a required skill in a political dynasty like ours.
“The lights need straightening,” I called to the man on the ladder, who was hanging a string of red, white, and blue bulbs along the pergola.
“Right away, Ms. Donnelley.” He nodded and returned to work just as another crew came through the side gate with carts full of chairs and tables.
“Those should be set up over there.” I pointed to a stretch of grass on the far side of the pool. “And the bar goes here.” I gestured to the spot on the patio beside me.
“Yes, ma’am,” one of the men replied.
“Things are coming together inside,” Morgan, my best friend, announced as she stepped up beside me, her phone in one hand and an iced coffee in the other. “And the florist just finished out front. It looks great.”
“Good,” I said, looking toward the pool area again. “If I’d let Fallon handle the planning, he’d probably buy some red Solo cups and call it a day.”
“I heard that.” My brother appeared with his Secret Service agent-turned-boyfriend, Rhett, right behind him. Even off duty, Rhett continued to take his job seriously. He scanned the backyard, taking in everything and everyone around. “You act like I don’t know how to throw a party.”
“Really?” I raised a brow. “When was the last time you hosted anything?”
“I’ll have you know the parties I put together at Hawkins were legendary.”
I laughed. “Your frat parties? I think you’re proving my point.”
Rhett chuckled behind him.
Fallon shot him a playful glare. “You don’t agree with her, do you?”
“Of course not.” Rhett leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.
“You two are disgustingly cute,” Morgan sighed.
“We know.” Fallon flashed her a smile.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s nauseating.”
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, little sister.”
“Will you stop with that? You’re only a minute older,” I huffed. Fallon and I made up two-thirds of the Donnelley siblings—triplets, in fact. Our brother Finn was the third, but Fallon and I weren’t speaking to him after his gambling addiction nearly got Fallon killed a few months ago. “And I’ve already got my own Secret Service detail who babysits me like I’m a little kid.”
“You know you can always sign off on your protection,” Rhett reminded me.
I snorted. “Then who will hold my bags for me when I go shopping?”
Almost on cue, Agent Pederson rounded the corner of the house. He nodded at Rhett. “Morning, Agent Davis.”
“Morning, Agent Pederson,” Rhett replied.
“Everything secure?” I asked, flashing him a saccharine-sweet grin.
“Yes, ma’am,” Agent Pederson responded. “I was just confirming the itinerary for tonight and tomorrow with the team.”
