I was back in my blue dress, but this time I had my hair and makeup professionally done. The moment I’d entered the White House, I’d been on high alert for any sightings of him. After all, it was his new post. All the agents in Caroline’s team had been sent to the White House. Caroline had explained it was a way for them to take some recovery time while still staying in the field, so to speak.
We were having drinks in the residence when I noticed Caroline appeared a little green. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m scared to death I’m going to make a fool out of myself when I make my speech.”
“Don’t go fishing for compliments. You know you’ll rock the hell out of it like you always do.”
Wrinkling her nose, Caroline asked, “Would I be a total pain in the ass if I asked you to watch as I practiced really quick?”
Since I was all about looking out for my friend—and dodging Stuart for as long as possible—I nodded. “I’d be happy to.”
We headed downstairs from the residence to the State Dining Room. Round tables were set up all through the room along with a small stage. “Where do you want me?” I asked as I made my way through the maze of tables.
“One sec,” Caroline called. After glancing at the seating chart, she motioned me to a table right in front of the stage. “That’s where you’ll be sitting, so you’ll know exactly how it will be later.”
“Gotcha, you little Type-A freak,” I teased.
“Shut up.” She laughed before heading up the stairs of the stage. As Caroline readied herself at the podium, I glanced down at the glittering display of crystal and fine china on the table. My gaze took in the antique silverware along with the intricately designed flower displays in red, white, and blue. Everything was so beautiful and posh. Even the embossed place cards.
When my vision focused on a particular card, my lungs sucked in a ragged gasp. Oh no. This couldn’t be happening. Mr. Stuart Isaacson. And apparently, he wasn’t coming alone, because I didn’t know the name next to his. The female name next to his. He was bringing a date?
This was even worse than I thought. Snatching up the card, I rushed over to the stage. After pounding the stairs, I demanded, “Who put Stuart next to me?”
Without looking up from her cards, Caroline replied, “I guess one of the social secretaries.”
“Well, I’m changing that. Now.”
Caroline peered up at me. “What, why?”
“Because I don’t want to be near him.”
“Selah, you aren’t making any sense.”
No shit. My life hadn’t been making sense since I’d let Stuart walk away. “Look, I’m aware I’m acting like a deranged high school girl at the moment.”
“You really are. I mean, Stuart helped save your life.”
“Yes, I—”
“And the two of you always got along so well when he was on my team.”
“I know.”
“Then what could possibly be the problem?”
Shaking my head, I replied, “I can’t.” It wasn’t the first time I’d worried what Caroline might think about my tryst with Stuart. It was also something I didn’t want to get into on such a celebratory night.
Caroline narrowed her blue eyes at me. “Well, you’re going to have to tell me.”
With time ticking down until the ceremony and my patience at an all-time low, I finally snapped. I threw my arms wide, sending my hand knocking painfully into a silver switch on the podium. Ignoring the pain, I threw my head back and hissed, “Because Stuart and I fucked the night of the shooting!”
When my voice echoed through the ballroom, I knew something had gone terribly, terribly wrong. Somehow my theatrical hand move had turned on the microphone on the podium. That. Shouldn’t. Happen. Caroline’s mouth dropped open as her eyes widened in horror. The previous buzz in the dining room silenced. When I dared to swivel my head to stare out at the tables, all of the waitstaff had frozen, not to mention some of the guests milling around at the back.
Mortification rocketed through me so hard I stumbled back. It wasn’t just the heated stares of the strangers that got to me, it was also Caroline’s. Without another word, I grabbed up the hem of my dress and broke into a sprint. Regardless of my designer shoes, I still managed to haul ass. “Selah, wait!” Caroline called.
But I ignored her and rocketed out of the ballroom. I didn’t know where I was going. Maybe I was just going to run out the exit and down Pennsylvania Avenue. Anywhere but where I was right now would be fine.
I didn’t get long to contemplate my plans. I’d barely made it around the corner before I smashed into a wall of flesh. Apparently, my surprise attack, plus the speed at which I was running, had the same effect as if I was tackling him. We both crashed onto the marbled floor. At another time, I would’ve been proud of myself for taking a man down, but this was not that moment. Especially since I’d somehow slid in my heels and was presently straddling him. Each time I tried standing up, I couldn’t get enough traction.
“Selah?” Stuart grunted.
I jerked my head up from eying one of my heels. “This cannot not be fucking happening,” I panted.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I replied.
To add insult to injury, a chorus of snickering drew my attention over my shoulder. President Callahan, along with Thorn and Barrett, stood surveying us with great amusement. At the same moment, Caroline came rushing up from the opposite direction.
She took one look at us and murmured, “What in the hell?”
Yes, you’re right. I am in hell for everything that has just transpired in the last five minutes. “I’m sorry for all the commotion. I just a need a moment to get some air, and then I’ll be fine.”
“Agent Isaacson, why don’t you take Ms. Macallister out to the Truman Balcony,” President Callahan suggested with a knowing twinkle in his eyes.
Before I could protest that that was the last thing on earth I wanted to do, Stuart replied, “Yes, sir.”
After smoothing down my dress and hair, I tried regaining some semblance of my dignity. I started down the hallway beside Stuart with my head held high in spite of the fact I’d just told an entire room of strangers about my one-night stand and mowed down the man I cared for in front of the President of the United States.
Always the gentleman, Stuart opened the door for me. My heels clicked along the marble flooring. Although I’d been out on the balcony once before, at the inauguration, nothing could quite describe standing there in the shadow of the Washington Monument, surrounded by all the history and beauty of the city.
“Such a gorgeous view,” I murmured.
“I would agree.”
My gaze whipped over my shoulder at Stuart. “Excuse me?”
“Jesus, Selah, you look stunning tonight.”
Pinching my eyes shut, I whispered. “Please don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s too hard.”
“I don’t understand.”
My eyes popped open to glare at him. “No, I guess you don’t.”
Stuart ran a hand through his jet-black hair. “For the fucking life of me, I will never figure women out.”