Page 142 of Release

The prickle of tears hits, surprising me. I blink them away, hopefully before he notices. “It’s a big risk.”

He shrugs, the easy, playful smile returning to his face. “That’s my risk to take. I’m the high-profile one.”

“It’ll mean it’s all out in the open with him.”

“Iwantthis in the open with him.”

“Just remember your promise to me about him.”

He solemnly nods. “I will always protect him first.” He sighs. “We need to figure out how to stage the timing of his resignation.”

“I’ll handle that.” I groan and playfully swat his shoulder. “I’m going to have to break me in a new deputy chief of staff, you know.” He starts to arch an eyebrow at me. “Not likethat,” I add. “Declan will need to help train them on what to do around the office.”

He smiles. “I knew that already. Besides, Declan will be too busy with his law career and with his duties as the First Gentleman to be my deputy chief of staff.”

I snort. Thatwillmake certain heads explode. “When do you want to marry him?”

“Within a couple of weeks after the inauguration.”

“A short engagement, huh?”

“Less time for people to bitch.”

I lay my other hand over his and squeeze. “You don’t think we’ll kill each other?”

He playfully smirks. “If we get irritated at each other, we take it out on our boy. He’ll be happy, we’ll be happy, and everyone’s a winner.”

That makes me laugh. “That sounds like a plan.” I pull his arms around me again for another hug. I like it when he holds me like this. He’s five inches taller than Dec, and beefier. “Besides, I can’t marry you, or publicly be seen to be romantically involved with you, even without the complication of Dec in your life. Because then you’d need another chief of staff, and who thehellelse will put up with your shit besidesme, George?”

He leans in and nuzzles his nose against mine. “Maybe instead of running for the US Senate after I’m done here, I’ll just retire from politics, and the three of us can go back to practicing law together.”

I draw back. “Whoa. What?”

I don’t understand why he looks confused. “What?”

“No,nono no. That’s not how this works. None of us have to give up any dreams to make this work. Ifyouwant to not run foryourreasons, okay. But I was kind of looking forward to us kicking ass in DC.”

His scowl deepens. “Really?”

“Uh,yeah. Really. I mean, okay, maybe once you go public with Declan that might harm your chances anyway, but you’re a freaking Republican. Even married to Declan, you’ve got a distinct political advantage in this state. How hard can it be to point to your past track record at that stage and say, ‘Hey, look what I accomplished?’”

Now he studies me for a moment. “You’d really be okay with that?”

“Absolutely.” I grin. “Then I can still be your chief of staff, asshole.”

He slowly nods. “Okay. We’ll table that discussion, for now. Let’s get through the rest of my second term as governor.”

“Agreed.” I can’t help studying the ring on my left hand. I don’t normally wear rings. Watches and necklaces, yes, even bracelets, but not rings.

George watches me, then he starts doing something. It takes me a moment to process that he’s actually twisting his wedding band off his finger until he does it and stands there, staring at it pinched between his thumb and index finger. As far as I know, he hasn’t taken it off since he lost Ellen

He rarely took it off when he was with Ellen. Only if he was doing something in the yard, or some home repair project that meant he needed to.

He leaves the kitchen and I follow, watching. He walks over to where her urn sits on the shelf in the living room and picks up the necklace that was her day collar. On it are her engagement ring and wedding band. He threads his wedding band onto it and then puts it back on the shelf. Then he kisses his fingers and touches them to the urn.

I blink back tears as I watch.

When he turns to me, he looks close to tears, too. “I mean it, Case. I’m in this for life.”