“Right, of course. We’ll handle everything. Don’t give it another thought.”
“I’m sorry to be the worst kind of first lady. I know it’s outrageous?—”
“It’s fine, Sam. That’s what we’re here for.”
“I’ll get with Lilia to choose one of the themes you sent. That much I can do.”
“Thank you.”
“How soon do you need to know?”
“By the end of the week would be perfect. I’ll spare you the litany of things that’ll commence once we have the theme set.”
“Please tell everyone involved that I appreciate their hard work and dedication, and I’m sorry I can’t be more hands-on.”
“I wouldn’t want to lie to them,” he said with a wink and a grin.
She burst out laughing. “God, I love sarcasm so much. Well played, Gideon.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I want you to know that even though you’re unable to fill the role of traditional first lady, I enjoy my interactions with you very much. I appreciate how you’re always authentically yourself.”
“Many object to my authentic self.” She thought of the looming confrontation with Captain Ruiz and considered calling out sick for the rest of the day. Malone had told her to do what she needed to, after all.
“It’s their loss if they can’t appreciate your charm.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Vernon and Q came rushing toward them.
“Sorry for the delay.” Vernon seemed frazzled. “We were in a meeting when I got your text. Are you ready to go?”
“I am. Gideon, Lilia will be in touch about the theme.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing from her, ma’am.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered to Gideon. “They call me Sam, too.”
She left him laughing as she walked outside to the SUV with Vernon and Q.
“That was a short trip home,” Vernon said as he waited for her to get settled.
“I’m not cleared to hear the details, so I couldn’t stay.”
“Ah, I see. I’m sure he appreciated seeing you.”
“He did, but he said… it’s bad.”
“That’s what we’re hearing, too.”
“What do you know?”
He lowered his voice as much as he could and still remain audible. “Serious national security breach. Uncharted waters.”
“Why do we find ourselves in those waters every other freaking day around here?” Sam asked in a frustrated tone.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
“We’ll get through it. We always do, but it’s exhausting.”
