Mr. President

"I don't know, Austin," Tracy says. "I'm worried that Walker can sway just enough votes. He's owed a lot of favors. I've crunched the numbers myself."

No fucking way. Not on my watch, I think to myself.

"I'm not having it," I say, pointing a finger at no one in particular. I'm just trying to get my point across. Suddenly, I'm feeling fired up. "Walker's not getting away with this."

"What do you think we should do?" Tracy asks, her eyes skeptical and hopeful at the same time.

"I intend to make Walker look like an ass," I reply. "So here's what I need you to do."

I watch as Tracy pulls up a task app on her cell phone. I swear, she's one of the most organized people I know.

I continue, "Plan a Town Hall in Walker's home state."

"Why in his home state?" Tracy asks.

"Because I'm going to pitch the damn jobs bill directly to Walker's fucking constituency," I reply.

"You do realize that Walker's going to go ballistic," Tracy says. Her hands are on her hips, and I know she's trying to think this through from every angle.

"I'm not even remotely worried about Walker," I say, waving one hand in the air, trying to give off a casual air. "In fact, I want Ashley to accompany me."

Everyone nods in agreement, and we wrap up. The meeting ends, and each of the staff members go about their daily duties at various end of the White House.

But I ask Tracy to stay behind.

And now that we're alone, I speak to her frankly.

"I want Ashley to move into the White House," I say.

Tracy looks at me wide-eyed, and her lower jaw seems to nearly drop to the floor. "I don't know," she replies, but I can tell that's an understatement. She's thinking I've lost my fucking mind.

"You don't know what?" I ask.

"Austin, I just don't think it's a good idea. I mean having her move in is pushing it a bit, don't you think?"

"Why?" I ask. "She's my fiancée isn't she?"

"Fake fiancée," Tracy clarifies.

"Of course I know that," I say, almost embarrassed at the slip. "I just meant that to the public, she's my fiancée. Wouldn't it seem more real—the relationship I mean—if Ashley moved in?"

I can still see the disbelief in Tracy's eyes.

"Is this for the public," she asks, "or for you?"

"Oh come on!" I say, trying not to feel irritated. "Think about it. If she moves in, we won't have to assign a Secret Service detail to her."

Tracy glares at me, trying to decide whether or not this is a good idea.

"She can sleep in a separate wing," I say, trying to win Tracy over. "And we'll be saving taxpayers' money."

That idea seems to win her over because now Tracy is nodding in agreement.

"That does make a lot of sense," she says.

"Of course it does!" I reply. "And I don't want to give the opposition any ammunition to use against me."

"Okay, okay," she replies, raising a hand as if she's heard enough. "I see your point."