“True, but it’s too soon for you to be wearing heels.” She reached into the massive pink purse she never left home without and pulled out a pair of black flats. “Trade you?”

“God bless you, woman.”

“I do what I can for the people,” Shelby said, smirking.

Sam laughed as she swapped out the shoes, handing the priceless heels to Shelby, who stashed them in her bag. “That line is trademarked, but I’ll allow it in this case.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Friends and family like Shelby would never know what it meant to her—and Nick—that they could be themselves with them amid the maelstrom that surrounded them since Nick became president—and even before that, if Sam was being honest. “Thanks for all you do, Shelby. I appreciate you so, so much.”

“I love you—and your family. Everything I do for you is a pleasure.”

Before she got off the elevator to step onto the world stage, she hugged her friend and then took her by the hand to keep her close for the next phase of the evening.

“FLOTUS arriving,” Vernon said into his radio.

Thankfully, he knew just where she needed to be.

Sam wasn’t surprised to see Lilia waiting for her outside a closed door.

“This is the balcony where you’ll sit in the front row,” Vernon said.

“You’ll be with Scotty, Mrs. Nelson and several of your other invited guests,” Lilia added. “I’ll go with you and introduce you to everyone.”

“Stay close,” Sam said to Shelby and Lilia.

“We’ve got you covered,” Lilia said.

“Do I look okay?” she asked Lilia.

“You look beautiful, as always.”

“It took a village.”

With her village supporting her, Sam felt as ready as she’d ever be to face the world as first lady of the United States.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Nick felt much calmer since the call from Sam. No other president could say his first lady had dressed for the State of the Union in a basement bathroom at the Capitol after catching a killer. All in a day’s work for his Samantha, who somehow made the juggling of three jobs look effortless when it was anything but.

“Sam’s in the gallery, seated with Scotty and Mrs. Nelson,” Terry reported five minutes before they were due to be announced.

Nick breathed out a sigh of relief. With her there, he felt ready for the biggest moment of his career.

When all the other VIPs had entered the room, Brant and the rest of Nick’s detail escorted him to the door of the House chamber.

“Good evening, Mr. President,” the sergeant at arms said.

Nick shook the man’s hand and smiled for the photo the White House photographer took. “Good evening, and thank you for having me.”