Page 191 of State of Retribution

“We can’t forget that we do have to pack some stuff,” he said, attempting a stern tone that was comical.

“We won’t forget.”

He nuzzled her neck.“We might forget when there’re so many better things to do besides pack.”

“What do you have in mind, Mr.President?”

“You’ll see.First, dinner.”He guided her to the table and held the chair until she was settled.Then he uncorked a bottle of rosé for her and cabernet for him, pouring for them like he was a sommelier and not the leader of the free world.

That thought made her giggle.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was thinking that you’ve changed jobs and are now a sommelier.”

“Is that an option?I think I’d like it better than the job I have.”

“Anything is better than the job you have.Hell, the one I have, too.Why’d we pick such awful careers, anyway?”

“That’s a very good question and one a shrink would have a field day with.”

“The historians will wonder what brought two career masochists like us together.”

“We know what brought us together.”

“Hot sex, according toSNL.”

Laughing, he said, “Yep, that’s it exactly.”

“It’s weird to me that everything about us will be examined by historians and recorded for all of time.”

“You’ll have dresses in the Smithsonian.”

“Stop it.No way.”

“Yes way.They have a first lady exhibit.They’ve probably already requested the gown you wore to the inaugural ball when I was VP.”

“That’s so bizarre to me.Like, who cares what I wore?”

“History cares, love.”

“History is a weirdo.”

He nearly choked on his sip of wine.“That’s something only you would say.”

“I don’t think much of nature either, if you must know.All that violence of animals eating each other.”She shuddered.“Icannotwith that.”

“How come I’ve never heard about this aversion to nature before, he asks as she digs into her salmon, which comes from nature?”

She aimed her fork at him.“Donottalk about where the food comes from.I’ve got enough trouble with Aubrey’s questions about chickens and eggs.Wait until someone tells her chickens have feelings.And I’ve told you before that I don’t do nature.”

“I don’t believe you have.”

“Is this a deal breaker?”

“Only if you refuse to go walking with me at Camp David out of fear of seeing something that can’t be unseen.”

“Would you protect me if an antelope was attacked by a cheetah?”

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