“You don’t have to apologize for that, either. We’re in this together, remember?”

Olivia smiled at her.

“I remember.” Ellie started the car and rounded the parking lot to pull into the drive-through. “Two large fries, one regular Coke, one diet,” she said into the speaker.

Ellie took the cash Olivia handed her and pulled forward.

“And, Olivia Grace, you hear me, you’re not going back to the office, you’re going straight home. I can tell you didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, and I need you to rest. I’d take your phone away from you for the night if I didn’t think you’d kill me for it.”

Olivia took the bag of food from Ellie and pulled out a fry.

“I know when I get Olivia Grace’d I’d better do what you say.”

Olivia fell asleep about five minutes after she walked into her house. She woke up in a panic to the sound of a door opening and closing. Had someone just broken into her house?

Before she could react, Max appeared at the door of her bedroom, suit on, briefcase over his shoulder, hair in full Senator Shellac.

“Max?” She sat bolt upright. What was he doing here? It was still Wednesday, wasn’t it? She hadn’t somehow slept for two days straight?

He smiled and dropped his briefcase on the floor.

“There you are. I didn’t expect you to be home this early, but then I saw your car outside.”

She rubbed her eyes.

“I … what are you doing here? Aren’t you in DC? I mean … you know what I mean.”

He sat at the foot of her bed.

“I fly back tonight on a red-eye. I had to see you. These past few days, those stories … I’m so sorry, Olivia. I didn’t realize how bad this would be. I couldn’t wait until Friday. I hope you meant it when you said you wished I was here.”

She stared at him. Was this a dream? Had he really flown across the country just to see her for a few hours, because of an idle wish on her part? Her lingering anger at Max faded away.

“I’m so glad you came.” She blinked away the tears that had sprung to her eyes. “It’s really good to see you.”

He pulled her into his arms.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see someone,” he said in her ear. “I’m so sorry. I should have done something to prevent this.”

They sat like that for what felt like hours, just holding each other.

Finally, she kissed his cheek and pulled back, but kept her hand in his.

“Thank you,” she said. “I needed that.”

He kissed her softly.

“I did, too. Badly. How did the pitch go?”

She laughed.