Page 190 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“I’m looking forward to it.”

As Nick scanned the crowded room full of familiar faces, he saw no sign of the one face he most wanted to see, with just thirty minutes until he was expected in the House chamber. Would she make it in time?

Sam was in a cold sweat, stuffed into a tiny basement bathroom in the Capitol that Vernon had known about, trying to whip herself into first lady shape in time to face the public. Shelby had met her, bringing the hair-and-makeup team from the White House.

“Time check,” Sam said.

“Eight thirty-five,” Shelby said.

“Ugh, Nick is going to be so pissed I’m this late.”

“He’ll understand,” Shelby said. “You got your guy.”

Would he, though? He’d clearly said this was one of the few first lady command performances, and she couldn’t show up looking like she’d been dragged through horse manure. After she’d changed into the red dress Marcus had sent, she slid her feet into her one pair of Louboutins and took a few steps, testing whether her hip would allow for the heels.

“I think I can do this,” she said to Shelby as she emerged from the stall with her work clothes in a bundle under her arm.

“Do what?”

“Wear the heels. First time since the break.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Hell no, but I’m going with it.”

Shelby took Sam’s work clothes and put them in her huge tote bag.

Davida and Ginger, the White House hairstylist and makeup queen, appeared with a chair and the equipment they needed to make her presentable. Usually, she saw them one at a time, but with no time to spare, they attacked from the front and back, working with intense focus to get the job done quickly.

It was ludicrous, she knew, to be preparing for such an important event in a basement bathroom in the Capitol. Traditional first ladies probably spent an entire day getting ready for the State of the Union. She experienced yet another twinge of anxiety, knowing she’d never be a traditional first lady.

The only thing that mattered to her was being there for Nick.

“Shelby.”

“Yes?”

“Can you please fish the BlackBerry out of my coat pocket and hand it to me?”

Shelby found the phone and gave it to Sam, who couldn’t move properly to make the call.

“Um, could you please dial star six nine?”

The three women giggled.

“That’s my husband’s idea of funny. Please don’t tell anyone that.”

“We never would, ma’am,” Ginger said. “And I think that’s so cute.”

“That’s us,” Sam said. “So cute.”

Shelby made the call and handed the phone back to Sam.

She wondered if Nick would be able hear his phone ring with so many people around him.

“Hey,” he said, sounding relieved to hear from her.

“So sorry I missed the reception, but I’m in the basement of the Capitol getting ready, and I’ll be there for the speech.”