Page 73 of The Senator's Secret
“Well that’s all right, I suppose.”
“So, how are we in the polls? What do we need to work on?” I ask, and I only ask more and more questions the whole way home—that is, until Jake showed me the bedroom on the private plane. Then I didn’t ask any questions at all.
And when we landed, Rick was all too happy to talk about the final strategy with me. Somewhere along the way, he became my champion, and we formed a tentative truce. I like it. I think I like Rick. What the fuck is happening to my life? This is bananas. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And the next week, we were all standing by Jake’s side when the results were finally in.
He won by a landslide.
“Cheers to the new president.”
Epilogue
Here’s to you, Mr. President
January
“Please stand here, Ms. Sanders. Palms up to support the Kennedy Bible,” Chief Justice quietly tells me.
It’s freezing. One would think being a native New Yorker would have prepared me for how cold Washington is in January, but it didn’t. Thankfully, Cara decked me out in a stunning teal dress with a beautiful winter-white belted wrap coat. I have tan leather gloves on my hands and these amazing stockings that look sheer but are actually fleece-lined, so I’m good. The gloves are in my coat pocket out of respect for the Kennedy Bible.
Jake looks handsome as he stands across from me in a dark-gray suit with a white shirt and a blue tie. He has a darker gray wool overcoat on and black leather gloves, which he removed to place his hand on the famous book as well—a nod to the fact that he held the infamous senate seat previously held by none other than John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the state of New York.
When he raises his right hand and takes his oath of office, his voice rings proud and strong.
“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.”
• • •
“AND NOW, THE PRESIDENTand First Lady of the United States,” Rick says as Jake leads me onto the dance floor and pulls me into his arms.
He looks so dashing in a crisp black tux with his Navy medals mounted on his chest. I love that he is proud of who he is and how hard he worked to get here. It’s a nod to the sacrifices that were made before he took this next mission.
Rick is similarly dressed. And speaking of Rick, he has a new job title. As of this morning, Jake officially named him Chief of Staff. The pitbull of politics has a new post to guard. He and Cara are still circling each other. I’m hoping they figure things out soon.
I am wearing the same light-pink dress with gold beading that knocked Jake’s sock off the first time, and I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it, not only because it’s fantastic, but because I’m so “fiscally conservative.” I barely held in my hilarity over that one. If only they could see my shoe closet.
I look over his shoulder and see Jules sneaking off with a Marine officer. Oh, Jules… I can’t see his face, but at least he has a nice ass. Go girl! One day, she will stop toying with men and settle down. I just don’t think it’ll happen in the next four years. She also has a new job description. Jake was so impressed with her handling of the oil spill in the Gulf Coast that he named her Press Secretary. She promptly put in her resignation with Eagle News Network. They were sad to see her go, but they understood that this was the opportunity of a lifetime.
“A wedding should be easier to plan after an inaugural ball,” he says, pulling me in close as we circle the dance floor. “Don’t you think?”
“I do.”
“That’s the right idea.” He laughs at his own joke.
“Always a joker,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“I was thinking of a June wedding at Camp David. What about you?” he asks me.
“I think you’re going to be disappointed,” I tell him hesitantly.
“Why’s that?” Jake questions. “Are you changing your mind already? Sorry you didn’t back the other guy?”
“Never,” I say honestly. “But I was thinking more along the lines of February in D.C.”
“Any reason why?” he asks. “Don’t get me wrong; sooner than later has always been my preference. But why now?”
“Because we’re going to be very busy in June,” I answer cryptically.