But when we turn to leave the room, I notice everyone is watching us, and they all have differing silly expressions on their faces.
“What?” I whisper-snap to Grace, but she just shakes her head very subtly before taking Jake’s arm and walking from the room.
• • •
As it turns out, official State Dinners are funny things.
Because of Rick’s status as Chief of Staff, we were afforded pretty fancy seating at a table with a party of the foreign dignitaries’ entourages. My only saving grace was that Jules is apparently of the same caliber as Rick in the grand scheme of political hierarchy, so she was at our table and seated directly next to me. I’m sure Grace had a lot to do with that table assignment, and I’m sorry Jules got stuck at the table babysitting me. Not that she made me feel that way at all.
The downside of that is that Captain Black is also apparently of this political echelon and seated several seats over from Jules. His nearness keeps me on edge, and Rick drops his hand to the top of my thigh underneath the table to distract me. He is so in tune with me, and I with him. And I swear I can feel his fingertip at the edge of my panties even through the million layers of my skirt. The distraction helps ease my mind.
I’m actually surprised that all the people closest to the president are seated at a different table. Although there are a lot of people here tonight. More people than I ever thought imaginable, and I was at the Inaugural Ball.
I quietly pick through course after course of dinner. Jules talks to me some, but her job is to entertain the rest of our table, as is Rick’s and Captain Black’s. I answer when I’m asked a question and smile when I need to, but I’m really unnecessary at this event, which is great, because on the inside I’m dying slowly.
I’m just the date of the Chief of Staff. Actually, I’m not even sure what I am to him. I know that I’m his ex-wife and the mother of his daughter. I know that I’m currently his lover and wearing his ring, but what that means, I have no idea.
After dinner, we’re free to move about the cabin. Grace and Jake open up the dance floor, which I have learned is actually part of her official duties. The whole thing is wild. I stand dutifully beside Rick as he works the room. Every so often, he reaches for my hand or the small of my back, nothing too forward or inappropriate for the room, but it’s a grounding touch, like he needs to know I’m still there.
“Mind if I steal your girl for a minute?” Jules asks Rick after a while. I can see he wants to say no, that I need to be beside him where he can get to me if I need him. It’s not a controlling thing, and I know that if our daughter wasn’t missing right now, I would be free to do whatever I wanted. Hell, I probably wouldn’t even be here right now; I’d be home with Rachel. It’s another little tell of Rick’s that he’s feeling out of control and doesn’t like it. I don’t think anyone else spots it, but Jules is very perceptive. So I shouldn’t be surprised when she lowers her voice and whispers for his ears only, “She’ll be safe. I promise. And Ryan is close.”
His dark eyes flare, and then he surprises me when he answers, “Sure. Don’t be gone too long.” And then he places a hard and fast kiss to my lips before letting me go and turning away.
Jules wraps my arm around hers and leads me to a darker corner of the room where people don’t seem to be hanging around, grabbing each of us a glass of champagne from a passing waiter on the way by. She’s like a dancer the way she moves with so much grace and class. I can almost see her as a girl Rachel’s age, walking around the house with an encyclopedia on her head.
“How are you holding up?” she asks me as she hands me a glass of champagne.
“I think I’m doing all right,” I answer before taking a sip of my drink.
“I know you’re nervous, but you’re doing marvelous,” she assures.
“Really?” I ask incredulously. “Because it feels like I’ve said three words the whole night and only spoke when asked something.”
“Yes! That’s exactly what the group wants,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Women aren’t supposed to speak.”
“Then why are you?” I sip more of my champagne. I’m fascinated by this side of Jules. I’ve always seen her as a dear friend of Grace’s. She’s kind and witty, and Lord knows she’s gorgeous, but right now, she’s in her element, and it’s awesome to see her come alive like this.
“Because it irritates them.” She winks.
“No, you do not.” I gasp.
“Oh, I totally do. Everyone knows it too.” She sips her champagne as well.
“And they just let you get away with it?” I ask. God bless Julia Fairchild for being the kind of woman who will seek out a new friend in need in a ridiculously fancy State Dinner, when she is probably needed elsewhere, to make said new friend laugh and relax, even if it’s just for a little bit. I like her. I’m keeping her.
“Mostly.” She shrugs until something across the room catches her eye, making her scowl. I look over my shoulder to where she’s looking and see Captain Black looking absolutely frustrated and more than a little murderous. I’m not going to lie; his expression has me shrinking back just a bit. “Well, except for Ryan. He doesn’t seem to approve of me very much.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
Jules just shrugs it off. “Don’t be. I’m not.”
“I like you, Julia Fairchild,” I tell her, making her laugh again. “I’m keeping you.”
“Oh good,” she says with a broad smile. “Because I’ve already decided to keep you too.”
“Fantastic news.”
“Oh dear, Grace is sending up a Romeo,” she says, looking away from Captain Black but still across the room.
