Page 83 of Pretend You Love Me

“Kip Anderson.” I take her hand and shake it. “Thank you.”

“We’ve been trying to get you to the White House for ages. You turned down the Kennedy Center honors last year.” The President is shaking his head. He’s not a man I want to disappoint.

“It’s been nice to be off the grid for a few years,” I respond.

“I can imagine.” The President says as he studies my face.

“Is this your place?” Will asks.

“It was my parents, but I live here now.”

“It’s really stunning.” He pulls one of the pregnant women forward. “Kip, this is my wife, Olivia.”

I read about their wedding in the newspaper last year. She’s in the House of Representatives, and he’s a Senator.

“When are you due?” I ask.

“Not soon enough,” she laughs and rubs her stomach. “But not until a little before Thanksgiving.”

“This is Zadie,” Will says, pointing to another pregnant woman. She extends her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” I shake her hand and then she says, “I’m due right after Thanksgiving. This is my fiancé, Ethan.”

Brooklyn sighs. “Let’s speed this up.”

She starts to point. “The ones trying to attack you were Eli, Declan, and Keene.”

They wave.

“Sorry man about our entrance,” Declan says.

“I get it.” I shrug, and I do. I nearly murdered the guy who attacked Brooklyn. If I were her brothers, I would have done the same.

“And Juno is over there.” Brooklyn points again. Juno waves, and I wave back.

“Why are you here, Brooklyn?” Will asks.

She sighs. Is she going to tell them? I’m dying to hear what she’s going to say.

“Brooklyn...” It’s a warning from the President.

She rolls her eyes. “Fine.”

Her body slumps a little and she looks down. “I was looking for my mom.”

Everyone falls completely silent.

Zadie steps toward Brooklyn and puts her hand on her shoulder. “Your mom is dead.”

Brooklyn just shakes her head. “She’s not.”

Everyone looks around in confusion.

“She isn’t.” It’s the President this time. Brooklyn’s eyes jerk up.

“You knew?”

“I only knew she was alive, but I don’t know where she is.”