“Nope, which makes it a huge problem for Nick and the rest of us.”
“Unbelievable.”
“It really is. I can’t imagine what she was thinking.”
“She wasn’t, which makes me wonder if their friendship was more than that, like the kind of thing that makes smart people stupid.”
“That’s an interesting theory.”
“Enough about all that,” he said as he nuzzled her neck. “Let’s talk about you and me and our new home and this gorgeous new bedroom.”
“Where our bosses used to get busy.”
“Stop!” He choked out a laugh. “Don’t put that image in my head!”
“Well, it’s true.”
“Enough. Let’s make our own memories here, so we won’t be thinking about the former residents.”
“What do you have in mind?”
He cupped her face and kissed her softly. “Let’s start with this and see what happens.”
Christina sighed with the kind of pleasure she’d found only with him and with relief that the move was done and they could get busy settling into their new home before their little girl joined their family.
* * *
The run around the perimeter of the White House grounds helped to reset Nick’s nervous system, as did seeing his kids at the dinner table, talking about the goings-on at school, oblivious to the turmoil their parents had dealt with that day. As always, the joyful banter of the kids helped him forget his own troubles. For the time being, anyway. The troubles were always waiting to be dealt with later.
Having Celia, Shelby, Noah and Maisie there made it even better. Avery was still at work, leading the FBI’s response to the bombing investigation. The media coverage of the bombing had been feverish, and Trevor was dealing with the inquiries coming in from reporters around the world.
“Did you guys know there’s a dance to celebrate the end of eighth grade?” Scotty asked with a scowl that indicated his feelings on the matter.
“I’ve heard that rumor,” Sam said. “They sent an email.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I figured you knew. It’s your life, my friend.”
“Well, I didn’t, and today, two different girls asked me to go with them.”
“Ohhhh,” Sam said.
Celia covered her mouth as if she was trying not to laugh.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Alden asked.
“Absolutely not. Why can’t they do a hockey game or dodgeball tournament or something fun to celebrate the end of eighth grade?”
Nick glanced at Sam in time to see her bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing as Shelby and Celia rocked with silent laughter.
“I’m not sure the girls would enjoy dodgeball as much as you guys would,” Nick said.
“What’s not fun about throwing a big rubber ball at someone’s head?” Scotty asked.
“I love dodgeball,” Alden said. “It’s my favorite thing to do in gym class.”
“It’s awful,” Aubrey said, wrinkling her nose. “My friend got hit right in the face with the ball, and her whole head swelled up.”
