“I had an entire sleepless night on Air Force One to think about the various scenarios. I kept coming back to the same conclusion. It’s not the right time—for her or for me.”

“It is the right time for you,” Graham insisted.

“If the time isn’t right for her, it’s not right for me either.”

“What did she say when you told her about it?”

“I didn’t tell her.”

“Nick... Come on! You have to at least tell her about it. How do you know what she’ll say if she doesn’t even know?”

“I have no doubt that she’d give up the job she loves, the job that has defined her adult life, if I asked her to. I also have no doubt that she’d absolutely hate every minute of living in a gilded cage, surrounded by Secret Service all the time. I’m surprised she hasn’t murdered a member of the details following Scotty and me over the last couple of months. That life isn’t for her.”

“She knew what she was signing on for,” Graham said a bit petulantly.

“Neither of us could’ve imagined what this past year would bring. Now that the campaign is over, we’re both looking forward to some downtime to spend with our new son. We’re anxious for some peace. This last year has been unreal.”

Graham screwed his face into what might’ve been a pout as he looked down at the floor. “You’re killing me here.”

Nick’s laughter rang out, drawing Sam’s attention in the adjoining room. He returned her smile. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have told you.”

“Nah, it’s okay. I’ll survive. Somehow.”

“You won’t say anything about it, will you?”

“You know you can trust me.”

A huge cheer erupted from the adjoining room.

Graham’s big smile was back as he looked up at Nick. “I think it’s safe now to shake your hand and say congratulations, Senator-Elect Cappuano.”

Nick returned the handshake and then hugged the older man. “Got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

“You bet it does. Keep making me proud, son.”

“Always.”

“Your lovely wife is looking for you, so let me get out of here and start pouring the bubbly.”

On the way out of the room, Graham hugged and kissed Sam. “Congratulations, Mrs. C.”

“Thanks, Graham. We’ll be right out.”

“Take your time. It’s your big night. We’ll wait for you.”

Sam closed the door and turned to Nick, beaming with pleasure. “You did it!”

“So I hear.” The roar from the next room was nothing short of deafening. “Come here.” He waggled his finger at her and watched her come toward him, loving the way she moved, loving the way she looked, loving everything about her.