Chapter 28

Henry

“Henry!”

I turn as I hear Lawrence behind me, and I slow my pace down enough so that he can catch up. Once he’s at my side, I pick it back up and continue my way through the West Wing.

“Lawrence, I’m just on my way to a meeting, but I’ve got a few minutes for you. What’s going on?”

He pulls out a date book and opens it up to next week. “I just have a few things we need to go over quickly before the week ends.”

I nod at him and check my watch, urging him to follow. “Alright, give me the low down.”

We discuss a few of our events and press releases that were scheduled, particularly another two involving Beatrice. It’s been a month since she’s moved in here, and it appears that she’s still a hot story for the press.

We walk around the corner, and I stop and turn to face Lawrence, my eyes narrowing and my head tilted to the side. I cross my arms in front of me and smile as I speak, trying to figure out his angle.

“Lawrence, none of this is stuff you usually concern me, so why don’t you tell me what you really need to talk to me about, old friend?”

He sighs and looks around to ensure that no one is eavesdropping and gestures to one of the empty meeting rooms just down the hall.

We walk over and go inside, and I gesture for my security detail to wait just outside for us as we enter.

He closes the door behind us, and we both sit down. I lean forward against the table, resting my elbows on it, and look over at him with a raised brow.

“Alright, Lawrence, what’s up?”

“The State Dinner is next week.”

Tell me something I don’t know.

“Yes, I’m aware that the State Dinner is next week, but what I’m not aware of is why this is such a big deal. Spit it out.”

He sighs and looks at me as he leans back in his chair, dropping the datebook down onto the table.

“We need to know if Beatrice will be acting as hostess at the State Dinner. If she is going to play hostess, then we need a game plan.”

I nod and sigh as I lean back in my seat. My eyes meet his, and I can see a few mixed emotions swimming about in them.

“Basically, what you’re saying is that we need to figure out exactly what my relationship with her means and how to play it.”

He nods. “I knew you would be quick on uptake,” he smirks. “If she’s going to be the hostess of the State Dinner, then we’re going to need to make your relationship with her official. And public.”

“You mean more than it already is?”

“Exactly.”

I nod at him and bring my hand up to massage my jaw as I mull things over. Of course, I knew that my relationship with Bea would have to be made official at some point. I was just hoping to delay that a bit longer until she and I had the chance to discuss it.

She’s been through a lot lately—and that’s just with the press thinking that we’re an item—that coming out and saying it officially is going to be putting a lot more shit on her plate to deal with.

As balls to the wall tough Bea is, I don’t want to see her beaten down by the press.

I shake myself from my thoughts and look up at Lawrence, sitting there patiently for me to answer or give some sort of acknowledgment that I heard him.

“Well, yes, she’ll most certainly be playing hostess, so I guess it’s time to ‘make things official’, as you say.”

He looks immediately relieved and smiles at me, and he slides over another file folder, to which I give him a confused glance.

“What’s this?”

“Typically, when someone passes you a folder, they want you to open it. I could give you some instructions on how to do it, if you like.”

He’s chuckles at me, and I shake my head—smiling as I do—and grab the folder.

Inside is a list of potential press release dates and statements prepared just waiting for me to sign off on them.

It’s my turn to chuckle as I wave the folder in front of me before sliding it back to him.

“It seems you already knew what my answer would be.”

He grins and takes the folder back, nodding as he gives a gruff reply. “Even without knowing you as long as I have, Henry, I knew what your answer was going to be just from our talk on Air Force One. Fuck, we all knew what the answer would be. We just needed you to say it out loud.”

I laugh, and we both stand, heading back outside of the room and back into the main hallway of the West Wing.

I continue on my way, and Lawrence follows after I gesture for him to do so, so we can discuss the next step.

“Okay, so, Lawrence, since this is going to be official, I’ll need you to start making the necessary arrangements, as well as get Hope up to speed.”

“She already is. She’s got statements prepared, a seating plan, as well as a few outfit choices for you both.”

I can’t help the chuckle that escapes from me as I shake my head. “Of course she does.”

“Mr President, your video conference starts in seven minutes.”

I turn to one of my security staff and nod to let him know I heard him, then back to the chief of staff.

“Okay, Lawrence, I’ve got to get in there, but I’ll need a few things from you in the meantime.”

He nods at me and takes out his phone to make a list. “Of course.”

“I’ll need you to get a few jewelry options together for me, so call in a few stores and get a rep over here from each one with selections. Oh, and make sure one of them has a few collar options.”

He whips his head up from his phone and gives me a disgusted look, scoffing at me. “Henry, forgive me, but you can’t be thinking of giving Beatrice a collar, that would be most…”

For a moment, I think he’s serious, but then I catch the glimmer in his eye just before he grins lopsidedly at me.

I can’t help the roaring laughter that erupts, and it attracts skeptical glances from everyone around us, much to Lawrence’s delight.

“You know, old man, you’re lucky that you’re basically family. Does your wife know you have such a dirty mind?”

“Why do you think she married me?” He’s smirking as he makes notes in his phone, and I let out an exasperated sigh as I bury my eyes in my palm.

I’d like to say that the man is just deplorable, but then I’m not much different. He’s rubbed off on me more than I’ve realized over our years of friendship.

I give him a mocking smile and pat him on the shoulder as I turn to walk into the conference room, earning a grin back.

“Alright, my old perverted friend. Update me later on the progress of those options?”

“Of course, you young whippersnapper.”

He turns and leaves, still chuckling to himself, and I walk into my conference with the staffers, a huge grin on my face.

“Good morning, all. Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”