Page 162 of Governor

I turn, clapping, and she’s smiling, pink high in her cheeks as she steps forward and nods, waves.

“I also want to thank her husband, Carter Wilson, for letting me borrow her for the next four years—and hopefully four more after that.” That gets me some laughs. “Oh, and for putting up with me all these years. Ever since we were roommates in college. He’s my best friend, my adopted big brother, my chief of staff, and the first person who ever told me he believed in me and would vote for me. Thank you, Sir.”

I turn and applaud. Carter’s gaze is on me as he steps forward, holding his hand up, smiling and waving to the crowd. Only the three of us know I saidSirwith a capitalS.

“I’m going to turn the podium over to your lieutenant governor-elect, now. I know y’all would rather talk to her than me, anyway.” That earns me another, slightly louder round of laughs.

I turn, giving her a little half bow from the waist. “Ma’am,” I softly say as I wave her in.

I step back to stand at Carter’s right side. When he slings his arm around me, like a casual bro hug, I drape mine over his shoulders and unfasten the button on my blazer so it doesn’t pull weird.

Like that, we stand there and listen toHerspeak.

I don’t even care what she says.

All I care about is that, for this exact moment in time, we’re here,together. The three of us. I care about making sure I get a copy of a picture of me and Carter standing there and listening toHerspeak.

And I know that we are seriously going to kick some motherfucking ass.

Chapter Forty-Four

It feels like forever before we can finally head upstairs again and everyone leaves. I’m exhausted, and not just physically.

I stand at the windows in our suite, looking out over downtown Tampa, and hope to hell I didn’t make the biggest mistake of my life doing this. That it won’t ruinus.

Susa walks up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist, resting her chin on my shoulder. I’ve shed the jacket again, and my shirt sleeves are rolled up, my tie loosened and the top button unfastened on my shirt.

“We did it,” she says. She sounds so happy and contented in this moment that all my fears evaporate.

This.

Her.

Sheis why I did this, theonlyreason I did this. Yes, in the back of my mind I wanted this, but had it been up to me we wouldn’t be standing here right now. The plan we have to follow so she can get elected on an Independent ticket. Otherwise, I’d be a mildly successful attorney in private practice leaving work at the office every Friday afternoon before heading home to jump in the pool or do…whatever.

Unless Carter and I had hooked up anyway, I’d also probably be alone and miserable. Maybe not openly miserable, but definitely not happy.

Satisfied.

Content.

Only by giving up control to Her and Carter got us here, and don’t think I don’t know that.

“What time is it?” I ask, knowing we can’t spend the whole night celebrating. There will be early morning news shows to prep for, interviews to give, and I need sleep so my first official statements don’t make me look like a tool.

“Almost one,” Carter says. I hear him walk over and feel him drape his arms around Susa and me from behind, pressing her firmly between us.

I reach back, around her, my fingers hooking through Carter’s belt loops.

We stand like that for a couple of minutes, them knowing I need this time to breathe and reflect and compose myself.

They know me like no one else knows me.

It also hits me that I don’t want to be anywhere elsebutright here, with these two people. It means I’ll do whatever they ask of me, because they’ve proven over the years that they have my back and will do anything for me. They are ruthlessly on my side, and that’s no exaggeration.

They love me, and I love them. I can’t imagine life without them.

“What’s tomorrow?” I finally ask.