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There was a commotion at the entrance to the dining room as Shannon Paulson, the first lady, entered the room accompanied by Agent Lucy Glass. Agent Glass stood by the door as my mom rushed over to greet Shannon. After they hugged and exchanged air kisses and greetings, Mom looked around the room until she spotted me.

“Lexi, look who’s here,” she called out excitedly, waving me over.

I glanced at Gray, who patted me on the shoulder and, after giving me a sympathetic look, headed toward a waiter to get a glass of wine.

I walked over to greet the first lady. “Hello, Mrs. Paulson. I’m glad you could make it tonight.”

She gave me a brief hug. “You’re so sweet to invite me, Lexi. And I’ve told you a dozen times to call me Shannon. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Everything looks stunning, including you.”

It was awkward trying to decide if I should speak to her like a friend or the first lady of the US. So, I did the best I could do. “We have you to thank for that,” I said. “Amanda has been a lifesaver, and my mom, Basia, and all my friends have worked so hard to make sure everything is just right. I appreciate your husband recommending Amanda to us, and all your planning advice these past months. It’s been invaluable, especially since you just went through all this with your daughter.”

“It’s my pleasure, sincerely. And it’s been a lot of fun to make new friends.” Shannon smiled at me. “How did the rehearsal go?”

“As well as it could,” I said resisting the urge to turn and look at my dad. “Slash reminded me that no matter what happens, or what mistakes I make, we’ll walk out of that church married. So, there’s that.”

“There’s that, indeed.” She laughed. “So, where’s that handsome bridegroom of yours?”

“Right here,” Slash said, coming up behind me and pressing a kiss against my right temple. He had impeccable timing as always. His windblown hair meant he’d driven back from the hotel with the windows open on his rental van. His left hand rested lightly at the small of my back, steadying me.

“Mrs. Paulson, it’s wonderful to see you again.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You look lovely tonight. Thank you for coming. I’m only sorry your husband couldn’t make it.”

“Oh, you know, he’s off negotiating world peace and all that. He’s really looking forward to the wedding on Saturday, though. It will be a nice break for him…for us. He’s promised me at least one dance.”

“We look forward to having you both celebrate with us.” A waiter passed by and offered Shannon a glass of champagne, which she took.

“Come on,” Mom said, linking her arm through the first lady’s. “I want to introduce you to more of the family.”

After they left, I turned into Slash. “How do you do that? Handle everyone so easily? Even the first lady of the United States.”

“Must be the Italian side of me.” He wrapped his arms around me, brushing my hair off my shoulder. “How are you doing,cara?”

I sighed. “As well as can be expected. We just have to eat dinner, endure a few toasts, and make some small talk before we can gracefully leave, right?”

“Right.”

“And you’re sitting beside me at dinner.”

“That’s what you requested. You’re the bride, so it’s doubtful Amanda, Basia, or even your mom would deny you that.”

“True.” I breathed a sigh of relief. I could get through anything with Slash beside me. “Is everyone here?”

“Everyone except Beau and his date, I believe. As soon as they arrive, we can start dinner.”

“Great. I’m famished.”

“And…here they are now,” Slash said. A startled expression crossed his face. “Is that Bonnie Swanson with him?”

I followed his gaze, immediately able to confirm that my brother’s date was indeed Bonnie Swanson. Bonnie was the headmistress at the Excalibur Academy for the Technologically Gifted and Talented in Washington DC, and she used to date Elvis until he’d met Gwen. Supposedly their breakup went okay, but they were going to all be together at my rehearsal dinner, and I had no idea what the social protocol was for such things.

Before I could ask Slash for advice, Beau spotted me, waved, and headed my way, pulling Bonnie with him.

“Hey, sis, congratulations.” He grinned at me before giving me a one-armed hug. “You, look great. You, too, Slash.” His surfer-boy good looks and laid-back vibe made him seem carefree on the surface, but he was a tough cop in a rough part of Baltimore. “Hey, Bluff House is cool. What a great choice of venue for the rehearsal dinner. Way to go, sis. You guys remember Bonnie, right?”

Of course, I remembered Bonnie. Even more, IlikedBonnie. When Elvis had broken up with Bonnie, it had been hard for me to know how to act around her. Bonnie had given me space, which I appreciated, but I hadn’t quite figured out how to continue that relationship while staying best friends with Elvis and Gwen.

And now, here we were.

Bonnie looked a bit uncomfortable but leaned over to give me a quick hug anyway. “Congratulations, Lexi. I’m so happy for you and Slash. I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”