Playing for the President’s Daughter

Chapter 1

Faye

The smell of salt air brought a smile to my face the moment I stepped onto the patio.

Though I was born and raised in Boston and still called it home, my family always spent summers at our estate on Cape Cod.

It was the backdrop for some of my happiest childhood memories, especially the Fourth of July parties my parents put on every year.

This summer was different, though.

Seven months ago, my father became the Commander-in-Chief, and now he and my mom hosted state dinners and award ceremonies at the White House. That left my brother, Fallon, and me to carry on the family tradition at the Cape.

Before my father became the president, he had been a U.S. senator from Massachusetts. Even then, politics had never stopped at the office, so learning how to pull together a fantastic event and make it look effortless was practically a required skill in a political dynasty like ours.

“The lights need straightening,” I called to the man on the ladder, who was hanging a string of red, white, and blue bulbs along the pergola.

“Right away, Ms. Donnelley.” He nodded and returned to work just as another crew came through the side gate with carts full of chairs and tables.

“Those should be set up over there.” I pointed to a stretch of grass on the far side of the pool. “And the bar goes here.” I gestured to the spot on the patio beside me.

“Yes, ma’am,” one of the men replied.

“Things are coming together inside,” Morgan, my best friend, announced as she stepped up beside me, her phone in one hand and an iced coffee in the other. “And the florist just finished out front. It looks great.”

“Good,” I said, looking toward the pool area again. “If I’d let Fallon handle the planning, he’d probably buy some red Solo cups and call it a day.”

“I heard that.” My brother appeared with his Secret Service agent-turned-boyfriend, Rhett, right behind him. Even off duty, Rhett continued to take his job seriously. He scanned the backyard, taking in everything and everyone around. “You act like I don’t know how to throw a party.”

“Really?” I raised a brow. “When was the last time you hosted anything?”

“I’ll have you know the parties I put together at Hawkins were legendary.”

I laughed. “Your frat parties? I think you’re proving my point.”

Rhett chuckled behind him.

Fallon shot him a playful glare. “You don’t agree with her, do you?”

“Of course not.” Rhett leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.

“You two are disgustingly cute,” Morgan sighed.

“We know.” Fallon flashed her a smile.

I rolled my eyes. “It’s nauseating.”

“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, little sister.”

“Will you stop with that? You’re only a minute older,” I huffed.

Fallon and I made up two-thirds of the Donnelley siblings—triplets, in fact.

Our brother Finn was the third, but Fallon and I weren’t speaking to him after his gambling addiction nearly got Fallon killed a few months ago.

“And I’ve already got my own Secret Service detail who babysits me like I’m a little kid. ”

“You know you can always sign off on your protection,” Rhett reminded me.

I snorted. “Then who will hold my bags for me when I go shopping?”

Almost on cue, Agent Pederson rounded the corner of the house. He nodded at Rhett. “Morning, Agent Davis.”

“Morning, Agent Pederson,” Rhett replied.

“Everything secure?” I asked, flashing him a saccharine-sweet grin.

“Yes, ma’am,” Agent Pederson responded. “I was just confirming the itinerary for tonight and tomorrow with the team.”

“Excellent. Tomorrow, you can be on the lookout for any guest committing crimes against fashion,” I deadpanned.

Agent Pederson blinked. “Uh … I’ll make a note of that.”

Rhett coughed to hide a laugh, but Fallon couldn’t hold his in. “I apologize on her behalf. If it makes you feel any better, she’s always been this insufferable.”

“It’s fine,” he mumbled, then addressed me. “I’ll be just over there if you need anything.” He pointed toward an area near the pool and walked away.

I turned to my brother. “See? He adores me. Always offering to help.”

“Sure, or he’s counting down the days until he can transfer back to a field office,” Fallon teased.

I grinned. “Please, I’m a delight.”

Fallon shook his head. “That’s one word for it. I prefer ‘obnoxious’.”

“Just for that, you’re on dinner duty tonight. Try not to burn the house down.”

He groaned. “Isn’t the chef here?”

“Don’t be such a baby. Jeffrey’s been busy the last few days getting things ready for tomorrow, so I gave him the evening off.” I patted Fallon on the arm. “I’m sure you can handle putting something together.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur of decorating. By the time the sun set, the entire place looked like it belonged in a glossy magazine spread. Dinner had also been a success, with no fires or disasters to report.

Because of the cool ocean breeze, Morgan and I had swapped our summer dresses for hoodies and sweats—something neither of us would be caught dead in around anyone else.

The four of us had migrated to the fire pit for drinks.

I was curled up on one of the outdoor sofas sharing a bottle of rosé with Morgan.

Fallon and Rhett sat on the opposite couch, huddled together and whispering as the fire crackled between us.

The sound of a car pulling up drew my attention toward the house. The agents standing outside also turned that way.

“That’s probably our guests,” Fallon said, setting his beer down and getting to his feet.

Earlier, my brother had mentioned his best friend, Tyler, had two younger brothers flying in from California for our party.

He’d invited Jase and Dylan to stay in one of our guest rooms because Tyler and his new husband, Hayden, were still in their honeymoon phase and not interested in hosting anyone who might interrupt their alone time.

A minute later, two guys appeared in the glow of the patio lights, and whatever I’d imagined about Tyler Statler’s “little brothers” vanished instantly. Jase and Dylan looked nothing like I’d expected. They were tall, broad-shouldered, and far too sexy for their own good.

“About damn time,” Fallon teased, pulling each of them in for bro hugs.

“Traffic was a nightmare,” one of them explained, his voice deep and smooth. “And Dylan missed our exit because he was too busy singing along to Kelly Clarkson.”

That made the darker-haired one Jase and the one with shorter, lighter hair Dylan.

Dylan shot his stepbrother a look. “Like you weren’t harmonizing.”

Fallon laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” He turned to us. “Guys, this is my sister, Faye, and her best friend, Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you.” Jase flashed me a panty-melting smile that needed its own warning label.

“Yeah, thanks for letting us crash here,” Dylan added, his tone casual, but his lingering gaze wasn’t.

“Of course. The more, the merrier.” I quickly took a sip of wine to hide how the two of them were affecting me.

Rhett opened the outdoor fridge and asked, “You guys want a beer?”

“Are they even old enough to drink?” Morgan giggled. She was clearly already feeling the wine.

“We’re both twenty-one,” Dylan stated.

Rhett handed each of them a bottle of Sam Adams, and they sat in the chairs next to me.

I poured myself another glass of wine while the guys caught up.

“How’s the shoulder?” Jase asked my brother.

“Got a nasty scar, but it’s healing.” Fallon rolled it once like it didn’t bother him, even though I knew it still did.

I hadn’t been there when he’d been shot at Tyler and Hayden’s wedding, but it was a story I knew all too well. I loved giving Fallon a hard time any chance I got, but hearing about the night I almost lost him still made my stomach twist.

Eventually, the conversation turned to lighter topics. As we chatted, Fallon leaned forward to grab his beer again. His arm brushed Rhett’s legs, and though the move appeared accidental, the way they looked at each other was full of heat.

“All right.” My eyes narrowed. “You two look like you’re about thirty seconds away from making out right in front of us.”

Rhett smirked. “Is that a problem?”

“It is since it involves my brother.” I wrinkled my nose.

“Then we’ll spare you.” Fallon stood and tugged Rhett’s hand. “See you all in the morning, but not too early.” He winked.

I shook my head. “You guys are gross.”

“You’re just mad because you aren’t getting any.”

I flipped him off as he and Rhett laughed and disappeared inside.

“Guess it’s just us.” Jase stretched his legs out in front of him.

“Anyone else feel like this night needs a game?” Morgan asked, her words a bit slower than usual.

“Depends on the game.” Dylan grinned.

“How about Never Have I Ever, tequila edition?” Morgan beamed.

“Why do I feel like this isn’t going to end well?” I muttered, eyeing the nearly empty bottle of rosé.

Jase laughed. “We’ll go easy on you—at least for the first few rounds.”

Morgan hurried toward the house, then returned a minute later with a bottle of Casamigos Blanco and four shot glasses. “Okay, party people, let’s get started.”

The first couple of rounds were harmless. Morgan admitted she’d never skinny-dipped, and I confessed to texting an ex from a burner account.

“My turn,” Jase declared as he leaned back against the cushions. “Never have I ever … skipped class to hook up with someone.” He turned to Dylan and smirked until his brother threw back a shot.

Dylan glanced at Morgan and me. “I’m the only one?”

Morgan shrugged. “I used to ditch to go shopping, but not to have sex.”

I laughed. “Same. The closest I ever got was making out in the library during study sessions.”

“Got to say, these questions have been pretty tame so far,” Dylan remarked.

“Fine.” I pulled my legs up and got comfortable. “Never have I ever thought about hooking up with a friend’s sibling.”

Jase and Dylan immediately took their shots, eyes locked on me. A blush crept up my face. “Good to know.”