“Ahh,” Rhys says. “I see. And were they put up in the guest wing?”
“Of course,” Anderson answers. “Jake and Rick thought it best to keep your traveling party close. Although we didn’t notice them with you in Canada, we did hear they were with you in Mexico…”
My heart beats faster at the implication that they were hidden somewhere near us in Mexico. All of the places we visited, the jungles, the pyramids… and then my mind goes to the man in Canada who had told me to watch my step. He’d said as much at the state dinner there.
Now, I can’t help but see how precarious the situation was. And with them here and not hidden, I have to wonder if this is where everything is going to come to a head?
Our ride to D.C. is over far too quickly. Instead of watching for the monuments as they passed by, I spent the time wondering if I am about to die. Or if my husband is and how I can prevent it? We pass through the gates of one of the most famous buildings in the world and park at one of the entrances where President Jake Chancellor and his wife, Grace, are waiting for us with smiles on their faces.
We climb out of the car, Kayla and Anderson behind us, and we are greeted by the President and First Lady. I’ve come to know a little about the couple since, as friends of Rhys, they were at both our wedding and our coronation. I hug Grace and Jake. Rhys does the same, and then we smile for more pictures since this is a state visit, finally turning and heading into the WhiteHouse.
We’re led down a long hallway and through a corridor before we’re moved into the residential wing of the White House. The further we walk through this part of the residence, the clearer it becomes with the children’s drawings and bookbags, that this is their personal home while in the district. We eventually stop in front of a door. Jake opens it and leads us through into a suite much like the one we live in at home.
“We thought it best, given the… complications,” he says, giving me a pointed look, “That you all stay in the private residence with us.”
I grab Rhys’s forearm and say, “I don’t want to put you and your children at risk.”
“That’s sweet of you,” Grace says, reaching out and giving my hand a squeeze. “But we’re safe here.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“I’m the President of the United States,” Jake says proudly. “It would take a lot to get to me and believe me, they’ve tried.”
I just quietly nod my head, even though I’m not sure that I’m as convinced as everyone else.
“We’ll let you two settle in.” Grace turns, addressing me. “We ladies will need time to prep for tonight. We like to get ready together. If you’d like to join Kayla, Cara, Jules, and me, we’d love to have you.”
I’ve never had the experience of getting ready for something like this with anyone other than Dahlia and Maeve, who has been missing for weeks now. I look toRhys and he just nods at me with a soft smile as if he can read my mind. I turn back to the ladies and hesitantly say, “I think I’d like that.”
“Nice,” Kayla says.
“Yay!” Grace cheers. “We have champagne and charcuterie while we dress. It’s tradition.”
“Get some rest and bring your dress when you come,” Kayla adds. “Then we can match the look.”
“Okay.”
With that all settled, we get another round of hugs and then Rhys and I are left to catnap before we need to get ready for tonight’s state dinner. Suddenly, I’m absolutely exhausted. I barely kick my shoes off before I fall onto the bed into a deep, deep sleep.
• • •
I carry the garment bag with my black velvet gown down the hall in my sweats. I’m nervous to hang out with such a large group of famous and sophisticated women. What if I look silly in my sweats? What if they hate my dress or make fun of me?
When I woke up from my nap, I scrubbed my face and did all my pre-glam things, excited to be invited to hang out with these women. But then my doubts set in. Rhys just kissed my brow, told me that everything would be fine, and then sent me on my way so he could grab a shower and put on his tux. Though, he was watching a tennis match when I left. It’s ridiculouslyunfair how little work men have to do to look handsome when we slave for hours.
I knock on the door and hold my breath as it’s pulled open. They’re all here, beautiful as ever, with bare faces, and in similar outfits as me. Thank goodness.
“Stella!” Grace says, ushering me in. “You made it.”
“Yes. Thank you for having me.”
“Of course,” she says, taking my bag from me. “Let’s hang this with the others and introduce you to everyone.”
She hangs my bag on a gold rolling rack with everyone else’s before she leads me around the room. It’s nothing short of chaos with curling irons and hair spray and makeup and brushes tossed absolutely everywhere. In the middle of it all is one of the most beautiful charcuterie spreads I have ever seen and I live in a castle. Next to it are several bottles of premium champagne and a pepperoni pizza. Last time I had one like that while studying for exams, they cost roughly five dollars and were hot and ready.
Kayla sees me eyeing the pizza with a confused look on my face and laughs. “I know it doesn’t fit, but I eat one a day with this baby,” she says, rubbing her tiny belly. “Besides, they go great with the olives and pickles the White House chef makes herself.”
“Oh God, that’s disgusting.” One of the ladies laughs. “Thank God, I never ate gross shit when I waspregnant. How about you, Grace?”