that shit alone next to Jen’s crazy sister and God knows who else.”
“We’re going with tea length dresses,” Jen said. “Something classy.”
“You want me to be a bridesmaid?” Caroline asked.
“Bridesmatron,” Kathleen corrected. “As long as McIntyre doesn’t chicken out at the last minute and leave you sultry and single.”
“What a foul sounding word,” Jen said. “Of course, Caroline. You’re one of my best friends.”
She now had no hope of getting through the day without crying, and Jen must have sensed something because she rushed over to Caroline’s desk and put her arms around her.
“I’m fine,” Caroline said.
“You’re not. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have sprung that on you the instant you walked into the office.”
She laughed through her tears. “I’m the one who just told you I was retiring and ordered you to take my place.”
“Yes, but my wedding is a much bigger deal.”
Caroline squeezed Jen tightly with her one good arm. “Of course I’ll stand up for you. It would be an honor.”
Kathleen cleared her throat. She seemed put off about something. An unexpected moody turn. “I hate to break up this touching moment, but the boss is going to have to get over to the Capitol soon.”
“Did you want a hug too?” Caroline asked.
“I’ll get mine later.”
Caroline didn’t have time to worry about Kathleen’s personality quirks. “Let’s talk more about the presser.”
“I’ll get it set up in the next couple of days,” Jen said.
“No leaks.”
“Caroline, that’s going to be next to impossible.”
“Try anyway.”
And just like that, they slipped back into their office roles…for a few minutes, anyway. Kathleen remained abnormally silent throughout much of their planning. After they hashed out the details for the press conference, Jen turned to Caroline again, a decidedly non-professional expression on her face.
“What do the girls think of all of this?” Jen asked.
Caroline was going to keep it simple, deciding to fly solo during her statement. Jen vehemently disagreed, saying that Jack and the girls should be there, but it wasn’t her call to make. Caroline wanted to keep Marguerite and Sophie’s press exposure to a minimum before Jack’s campaign started rolling. A Republican campaign that appealed to the more conservative voters in the party inevitably meant plenty of family photo-ops, a concept Caroline dreaded. But now was not the time to dwell on that. She could focus on the positive.
“They think it sounds like fun,” she said. “They’ve been taking everything so well the past few months. I’m waiting for it to blow up in my face.”
“It won’t,” Jen said. “Those are some damn good kids.”
“I’m a very lucky woman.” Caroline bit her lip. Forget the soft tears, the happy hugs, the joyful reunion. She was going to lose it in front of them and she really didn’t want to do it on her first day back at work.
Jen gave her another concerned look. “Caroline?”
She took a deep breath. “I want you to know how much I’m going to miss you. I don’t want you to think I made this decision lightly.” Her voice caught. “I love you both very much, and this was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever had to make.”
“We know,” Jen said.
Kathleen stared at the wall, her arms wrapped around herself. Something was definitely up. Caroline coughed, pulling herself back together. “We’ve had a good run, though. Wouldn’t you say?”
“We sure have,” Jen said.
They’d avoided the topic during wedding talk and the logistical discussion about her press conference, but Caroline knew she had to mention the issue they’d been skirting all morning. “Will you please think about running, Jenny? Seriously consider it. I’ll help you. I promise.”
Jen stood up. “I will. I just need some time to think. I guess today would be a good day to lunch with Eric, huh?”
“Probably.”
“I’ll go set that up,” she said, and hastily left the room.
Jesus. Maybe she’d unintentionally overwhelmed her, on the first day back from a month long break, no less. Caroline would have to make it up to Jen somehow. Kathleen was still staring at the wall.
“Katie?”
Kathleen turned to her. There were tears in her eyes. She never, ever cried. “If you think you’re getting rid of me too, you’re cracked.”
“Excuse me? Were you going to leave?”
“No, but I’m not spending all my time in this office while you get to have all the fun. Even if you are misguided enough to give me a promotion.”
“Huh?”
The tears were gone. Kathleen recovered quickly, there was no doubt of that. Now she was all business. “You’ll need somebody to keep you