“Now you sound like one of those stupid magazines that put both of us on their hottest bachelors in Washington lists. I’m not trying to ‘wife up’—I just like her, that’s all!”

He wouldn’t admit this to Wes, because then Wes would be certain he was going to run for president, but he had been … lonely lately for more than just the reasons he’d said to Olivia the other night. He’d been to a lot of fundraisers for other candidates in the past sixteen months, and at many of them, the candidate’s spouse was there with them, by their side. He’d wished he had that.

But he hadn’t wished it enough to go on a single second date in the past two-plus years. Olivia was different.

“Mmmhmm,” Wes said. “How long did this date last, anyway?”

Max sighed.

“Unfortunately, not long enough—Kara called with that leak about the attorney general’s announcement, so we had to come up with a statement ASAP. Which sucked, because I had to rush off right when I’d driven Olivia home. But even so, it was one of the most fun nights I’ve had in … well, at least the past two years. I’m going to see her again this weekend, and …” He took a deep breath. “She’s just great. Smart, funny, thoughtful.” He shook his head. “I know it’s early, but I can’t wait to see her again. I really like her, Wes.”

Wes turned to look at him, all trace of mockery on his face gone.

“You really do, don’t you? I haven’t seen you look like that in years.” He punched his friend on the shoulder. “Okay, who is this woman? Let’s see.” He gestured at Max’s phone.

Max sighed and pulled up the tab for Olivia’s law firm website.

“This is her,” he said, and handed his phone to Wes.

Wes took the phone, stared at the picture for a few seconds, and then looked up at Max with his mouth open.

“Oh. Ohhh, okay. Well, if you are trying to wife up, I approve.” He paused for a second. “But.”

Max should have known there would be a “but.”

“Can I get you to promise me one thing?” Wes asked.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t want to do that,” Max said.

Wes ignored that.

“Promise me you won’t sleep with her yet.” Max opened his mouth to protest, but Wes kept talking. “I know, that’s a ridiculous thing for me to say, but just listen. That might force some caution on you. I know how you are—you jump into things, you make decisions in seconds. I don’t want you to fall hard for this woman and whisk her off to Vegas on the third date, or worse, have her sell stories about you to the press.”

Max had to stop him there.