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Chapter Twelve
Juno
“You’re here!” I say, rushing over to James and giving him a hug. I nearly burst into tears. It’s just so nice to have everyone together. He pulls me in for a big hug – honestly, he’s one of the best huggers in the world. I know he’ll go down in history as a great President, but this is just as important to me. Our relationship is complex since he’s sort of a father, sort of a brother. We don’t make a big fuss about it, but he definitely raised me and continues to support me financially like a parent. We’re living proof that families can be made – and sometimes made families are the best kind of families.
“Are you having fun?” he asks.
“So much fun. So much gelato,” I answer, looking up at him.
He squeezes me again. “Not trying to escape your security detail or anything?”
I pull back and roll my eyes. Okay, I love him so much and everything, but he’s so overprotective. Honestly, I think he’d love to make me live at the White House with him full time. “Now what would give you that idea?”
“Just a hunch,” he says.
“A hunch named Eli.” I cross my arms and shoot a glare at Eli on the other side of the room.
“Just trying to keep you safe,” Eli calls.
I look back at James. “I never tried to ditch my security detail.”
Yet.
He doesn’t need to know that.
He eyes me like he can read my thoughts. I don’t like it. He’s always had this ability, and I hate it.
“Better keep it that way,” he says.
I spot Vivi outside with the other kids and hurry out. I give Elizabeth a hug as soon as I see her. There’s a bustle of activity outside. Workers are setting up tables and stringing lights.
“So Declan and Maggie really are throwing a fancy dinner party?” I say to Elizabeth.
“It looks lovely,” Elizabeth says, admiring the work.
I watch a few workers cover the tables with tablecloths and bring out chairs.
“It does. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Speaking of which,” Maggie says. “I think we should all get ready.”
––––––––
Istep out of my roomonce I’m dressed to see Bode coming out into the hallway. I nearly groan; he looks so hot. He’s wearing a light blue suit, white collared shirt, no tie. The color looks amazing against his tanned skin. His collar is open just a little, and I cannot stop staring at that spot between his chest and his neck.
He clears his throat. “You look nice.”
I pull my eyes away from his neck and up to his eyes. He’s looking at me the same way he was looking at me yesterday right before he kissed me.
“That’s a beautiful dress,” he says.
