“If you treat me like an invalid, that’s how I feel, Sam. I don’t want you thinking you have to protect me from this crap. It doesn’t get much more crappy than living like this.”

“I’m sorry.” She dropped into one of the kitchen chairs. “I don’t mean to keep stuff from you. I was hoping this was gonna go away before it got this far.”

“Should’ve known better with Stahl involved.”

“I know.”

“Did you tell Nick?”

Sam looked up at him with a rueful expression.

“Sam! Are you kidding me? You’ve got IAB poking into your relationship with him and you don’t think he needs to know that?”

“He’s been so down about John and now Julian and wound up about what happened to Cruz. And then the whole mess with Reese today. I was afraid it might be one thing too many, you know?”

“You’re playing with fire, baby girl. That man is one to be reckoned with. If you think he’s going to put up with you keeping things from him, you’re deluding yourself.”

Sam knew he was right. “I’ll tell him tonight. It’ll be fine.” She got up and kissed him. “I’ve got to go. I’m making dinner.”

“You? Cooking?”

“You really ought to consider a career in stand-up comedy—without the stand-up part of course.”

“Now who’s being funny? Let me know the minute you hear.”

“I will. Try not to worry too much. Whatever happens, Nick was worth it.”

“That’s a good way to look at it.”

“It’s the only way to look at it. I’ll see you in the morning.”

After she packed a bag of clothes for the next day, she walked back over to Nick’s, thinking about what her father had said. At this point, Nick would probably be furious that she’d waited so long to tell him about the IAB hearing. She’d have to see how the evening unfolded to determine if there’d be a good time to tell him. In the meantime, after dinner she would look into Sanducci.

Chapter 23

By the time Nick got home an hour later, Sam was ready for him. She had enjoyed playing house in his primo kitchen and had even indulged in a little fantasizing about what it might be like to really live there rather than just spending most nights in his bed. Her trip down fantasy lane had also helped to keep her mind off the outcome of the hearing. Shouldn’t she have heard something by now?

“Hey, babe,” Nick called when he came in. “Sorry I’m so late. I got sucked into a Democratic Caucus planning meeting.” He stopped short at the kitchen door. “Did you cook?”

“Yep,” she said, standing at the stove. “You don’t need to sound that surprised.”