“I’m calling down for tea. Can I order you anything?” Judith Sherbrooke stepped out on the balcony.
She’d knocked on the suite door not long after Jen and Brett arrived yesterday, despite the time. She’d spent some time going over the best ways to handle the reporters today before leaving. Jen didn’t know if Brett’s parents had stayed at the hotel, but bright and early this morning, they’d knocked on the door and the four of them had breakfast together. Although Brett and his dad left not long after they finished eating, Judith had remained with her.
“Tea sounds great.” If she was holding a teacup, she couldn’t pick her nails again. They’d been a mess after breakfast, so Judith called the spa downstairs. Its manager had immediately sent up someone to give Jen a new manicure. If she ruined her nails again, there wouldn’t be time to get them fixed before the press conference.
Jen expected Brett’s mom to go back inside. Instead she remained outside and gazed down at the news vans parked down below. “Try to relax. You’re going to do fine today. You’re well prepared, and we’ll all be close by.” She placed her hand over Jen’s on the railing. “Come inside. I’m still waiting to hear about how you and my son met.”
She knew sharing the details wouldn’t distract her from what awaited her downstairs, but it would help pass the time.
The suite door opened right after she told Judith about finding the picture of Brett with his two cousins on the internet. Brett and his dad walked in together. She hadn’t heard from Brett since he left for Carl’s office. If he was smiling now, their meeting must have gone well.
Even though his parents were present, Brett kissed her. “Carl’s people located Debra McCormick, the restaurant owner, and her husband. He’s retired from the police department, but she still owns Rustica.” He sat in the chair next to her. “They both remember the incident and are willing to corroborate your story. Someone is with them now taking their full statement.”
They had been located already? She’d only given the campaign manager the full story last night. Clearly Carl was one resourceful man. Jen was glad he was on Brett’s side and not working for the opposition.
“Awesome.” At least the media wouldn’t be able to use one part of the story against Brett any longer.
“We need to head downstairs,” he said, causing the butterflies in her stomach to grow extra-long wings.
His parents promised to meet them in the hallway and left the room, but Jen didn’t move.
“Don’t worry about a thing, Jenner.”
“Jenner?” she asked, aware she was stalling but not caring.
Brett brushed his thumb over her hand, the slight touch helping to at least ease the anxiety inside her. “I told you I’d come up with a nickname for you,” he said patiently, as if there wasn’t a roomful of reporters waiting for them. “It’s a hell of a lot better than Buster. What do you think?”
“I like it.” She couldn’t stall all day. “Come on, Buster. Let’s get this over with.”
Momentary panic swept through her as she watched Lily approach the podium and address the packed room. Jen didn’t hear the woman’s words until Lily said, “Jennifer Wallace.”
When Lily said her name, it was her cue to join the press secretary. Despite knowing what she needed to do, her feet refused to move.
“You’ve got this, Jenner,” Brett whispered. “And remember I love you.”
Epilogue
December, Election Day
It’s almost over, Brett thought as he checked the large television screen closest to him. The polls had closed at eight o’clock, and the final numbers were coming in.
Despite Phillip Young’s best efforts, Brett had crushed Ted Smith in the primary and won the party nomination—although it had been a tight race. As Carl predicted, Gina Hammond managed to capture her party’s nomination in November too. Throughout the entire six weeks since the primary, Brett had been ahead by a wide margin. So far tonight’s exit polls confirmed the data. Despite the optimistic intel, Brett wouldn’t be able to relax until the final numbers were in and the race called. The unexpected happened all the time.
At that thought, his eyes settled on Jen across the room. She stood talking to his brother, just one of the many relatives in attendance, and Taylor, Curt’s girlfriend. Jen epitomized the word unexpected. When they started exchanging letters over two years ago, he never expected to fall in love with her. Yet, it had happened.
“I still can’t picture you on the Hill,” Jake said, stopping next to him. Jake and his family had arrived in Massachusetts over the weekend, allowing them to spend time with Charlie’s family and be here today for the election. “In fact, I’m not convinced we’re not trapped in an alternate reality.”
“I’m not there yet,” Brett answered.
“Check the numbers again.” Jake pointed toward one of the large televisions displaying the results announced so far. “Or do you need me to read them to you?”
“I’ve been reading them all night, but I’m not giving my victory speech just yet.”
“Whatever.” Jake crossed his arms and nodded in Curt’s direction. “How much longer before he asks her?”
Brett watched his brother with his girlfriend. The campaign had sucked up most of his time, making it difficult to see his family. He’d managed enough time with Curt and Taylor though to know his brother would pop the question soon. But he hadn’t discussed it with Curt, and his brother hadn’t offered any specifics, so he didn’t have an exact time frame.
“Within the year,” he answered before he checked the data coming in again. According to the screen, he’d taken both Westport and Springfield.