Morgan had gotten all the details about my hookup with Jase and Dylan as soon as they left and I was able to get her alone. She immediately started looking them up on social media and had been the one to inform me of their “player” status based on the numerous photos showing them partying with an endless stream of women. Although, the last couple months hadn’t shown much other than them working out.
I groaned and dropped my phone into my lap. “She probably has.”
“But why do you care? You’re the one who blew them off, remember?”
“I didn’t blow them off.”
Morgan arched a brow.
“Okay, fine. I blew them off, but not because I didn’t like them. You see how I’m already a topic of conversation on the gossip blogs. I don’t need to be one in some college locker room too.”
“Hey, I get it. What I don’t understand is why you feel the need to torture yourself every day by stalking their accounts.”
“I’m not stalking them,” I muttered.
She snorted. “You’re literally doing it right now.”
I huffed but couldn’t argue with her. Every day I told myself not to check what they were up to, and every day I looked anyway. Each time I saw a girl in their comments or posting about them, something twisted in my stomach.
Not because I thought they owed me anything, but because I hated the idea of being just another jersey chaser in their eyes. I already had the tabloids treating me as though the only things I took seriously were partying and shopping. I didn’t want two guys I was actually attracted to thinking the same.
Still, I couldn’t shake the spark from the night we’d spent together. They had both looked at me in a way that left me feeling seen and desired.
While scrolling through their accounts often left me irritated and annoyed, I couldn’t bring myself to stop.
Steppinginto the White House always felt strange. It was the place my parents lived, yet it didn’t feel like a home.
My mom’s Chief of Staff greeted me in the hallway outside the Residence. “Hello, Faye. We have a tight schedule today. I’ve emailed you the itinerary, and a copy is in your bedroom.”
Donna was excellent at her job. She wasn’t exactly warm, but she was efficient, reliable, and always three steps ahead of everyone else.
“Perfect. I just need to change, and then I’ll be ready for Mom’s event.”
Agent Pederson followed me into the bedroom I was staying in and set my bags down beside the bed. “If you need anything, I’ll be right outside,” he said, then closed the door behind him.
I changed into a navy-blue shift dress, pairing it with gold jewelry and my favorite Louboutins. My outfit of choice met the business attire requirement while keeping my style. After brushing my hair and touching up my makeup, I stepped back and gave myself a final once-over in the mirror.
As I stepped into the hallway, Agent Pederson straightened. “Ready, ma’am?”
I rolled my eyes. “Just because we’re in the White House doesn’t mean you have to start calling me ‘ma’am’. You know how much I hate that.”
His mouth twitched. “Yes,Faye. Is that better?”
“Much.”
Mom and Donna were waiting at the bottom of the staircase, watching something on Donna’s tablet.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
My mom glanced up and smiled when she saw me. “Hello, darling.” She met me at the bottom of the stairs and pulled me into a hug. “You look gorgeous, as always.”
I smiled. “Thank you. So do you.”
Mary Donnelley was the picture of poise and grace, the kind of woman I aspired to be.
“Okay, it’s time to get started,” Donna announced.
We entered the Grand Foyer, which was already filled with press and visitors. We were gathered for the official kickoff of holiday tours, and it was the first lady’s job to welcome everyone and then move to the State Dining Room to unveil this year’s gingerbread White House.
