Pushing himself up and off the bed, James shook his head. “He needs to pee.”

She stared at him. “Colin Powell needs to pee.”

He reached for a leash by the side of the bed. “Colin Powell is my godfather. He gave me the dog. So I named him Colin Powell.”

She stared at the dog and back at James. She was at a loss for words. James was hot and he was a gentleman and Colin Powell was his godfather?

After he left the room, she stretched out and luxuriated in the feeling of being in James’s place. I could be here all day, she thought. If it weren’t for the wedding from hell.

Her phone rang again and she sighed. She was sure it was her sister, Sarah, reminding her to bring an extra set of stockings and a pair of low heels in case she needed them later that night. Taking her time, Natalie reached for the phone. The screen didn’t say Sarah, it said News Desk, and they were calling for the third time.

“Natalie, we need you here ASAP.” It was a What Girl.

Calmly, she explained that this was her mom’s wedding day. That she’d requested it off even before she’d agreed to move down to DC, temporarily. That even Bibb understood she had the day off.

“Hang on,” the What Girl said.

The line went silent and she knew the next voice would be Hal’s. This had to be his doing.

“Natalie, I know it’s your mother’s wedding.” To Natalie’s surprise, it was Bibb. “But we’re doing a special at the top of the hour and Jazzmyn can’t make it in. We need a female voice.”

Jazzmyn! They wanted her to miss her mother’s wedding to accommodate Jazzmyn’s morning schedule. Does that involve breakfast with the boss, Natalie wondered. She’s leaning all the way in, she thought, then instantly felt guilty.

“I’m sorry, I have to be at my mother’s wedding,” Natalie said firmly.

Bibb continued, “I need you at work. Sonia Barbaro is in the US and is saying things that could precipitate an international crisis. We’re in major breaking news and need a woman’s voice. What time does the wedding start?”

In a low voice, Natalie said, “There’s a gathering at 10 a.m. The wedding’s at noon.”

“I can let you out in time for the wedding. You can skip the pre-wedding activities. You’ll be anchoring with Ryan. I’ll personally ensure you’ll make it in time for the ceremony.”

When she hung up, James was standing over her, looking apprehensive.

“What is it?”

“There’s breaking news, they want me in,” Natalie said, feeling defeated and embarrassed in front of him. “Saying no isn’t an option. It’s hard to explain—”