assured herself that they never would. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. And I’m even more certain that you should run for my seat.”
Jen shifted in her chair, twisting her own engagement ring. “I don’t know. Eric is going to freak.”
Despite his flaws, Eric loved Jen. He wasn’t a bad guy. He worked for a female Senator. And he wouldn’t feel the least bit emasculated if his fiancée ran for public office.
“No, he won’t,” Caroline said. “He’s spent his entire professional life on the Hill. He knows how things work. Jenny, you grew up in Rockville. You know Maryland better than I do. And you know that it’s your turn. I’ve never been one for that pseudo-monarchial succession crap, but you would probably do a better job representing the people of the First District than I have. Please consider it.”
“I’d have to resign,” Jen said. “If I were hypothetically going to do this, that is.”
Kathleen clapped her hands together. “Jen’s running for Congress.”
“I sure hope so,” Caroline said.
“You could fire her,” Kathleen told Caroline. “In case she’s not quite there yet. Then she’d have to run.”
“The optics on that would be terrible.”
Jen looked slighted. “Must you speak of me as if I am already gone?”
Kathleen gave Jen a puckish look, but her words were for Caroline. “Hey, if she quits do I get a promotion?”
“Maybe,” Caroline said.
“Would you change my job title?”
“No.”
“Would you pay me more?”
“No.”
“Would you be nicer to me?”
“Hell no.”
Kathleen grinned. “I’d still do it anyway.”
“So let me get this straight,” Jen said. “You’re going to give up your House seat so you can be First Lady of Pennsylvania. And I’m just going to slide right in and take your spot.”
It seemed a foolproof political plan from Caroline’s point of view. “Pretty much. Don’t forget the part where you get married right after you win.”
Jen pouted. “You know, I’ve only been engaged for a few weeks and you’re stealing my thunder with your own wedding.”
“I know. Isn’t it romantic? You’ll just have to make it up to yourself by seeking that congressional seat you’ve always wanted.”
Kathleen grinned again. “Is Jack going to be cool with me bringing a woman to your reception?”
If he wasn’t, Caroline would deck him. Kathleen had started dating a PR consultant named Liz over the summer, and it sounded serious. Caroline was impressed, since her press secretary had pulled double duty and been bombarded with work during the recess. Kathleen almost never made time for herself even during a lull in her job.
“Liz is invited, for sure.” Caroline was struck with luscious inspiration. “And please, please make out on the dance floor. Please.”
“With her, or with you?”
Caroline blushed. Even though it was a running joke between the two of them, she got bashful every time it was mentioned. “You need to let go of your crush on me, my dear. I’m taken. Again.”
“I know,” Kathleen said. “I just wanted to see if you’d blush. Nicely done.”
“Do Eric and I get to make out on the dance floor?” Jen asked.
The reception would clear out for sure. “No,” Caroline said. “You’re too mainstream. We want wedding photographs that’ll trend on Twitter.”
“And you’re boring, frankly,” Kathleen said. “It’s much easier to come up with a suitably tasteless hashtag for me and Liz. I’ve got a dress already picked out. I’ll be wearing chartreuse. I believe Liz will be decked out in salmon.”
That sounded terribly inappropriate. Caroline hoped Katie wasn’t bluffing. The pictures would be outstanding. “It might take some effort for this plan to happen,” she said. “Chrissy will probably be patrolling the parquet to make sure there’s enough space for the Holy Spirit in between all the dance partners, regardless of sexual orientation.”
Kathleen smiled impishly. “I forgot about her. Now I’m totally making out with Liz on the dance floor, just to see how she reacts.”
“Maybe we can get Chrissy drunk,” Caroline said.
Jen grinned. “I’m in for that.”
“Do I get to get drunk?” Kathleen asked.
“No,” Jen and Caroline said simultaneously.
“You people are no fun at all.”
“We’ll get drunk at Jen’s wedding,” Caroline said. “I promise.”
“I don’t want my bridesmaids taking sloppy photos,” Jen said. “So behave.”
“I-” Caroline forgot what she was going to say next. Was Jen asking her to stand up in her wedding?
Jen laughed again. “You didn’t think you got to sit on the sidelines, did you?”
“I already accepted,” Kathleen said. “That means you’re morally obligated to stand next to me in some horrible taffeta thing. Hell if I’m doing