I’ll make sure Elliot eats dinner before he leaves the White House so they can get right down to business when Leo arrives.
Okay, Igetit.
Igeeeeetit.
I’m not acting much like a guy eager to reconnect with his Sir. Although Leo following me to Elliot’s office earlier doesn’t speak to a guy who’s going to walk away from me, either.
Unfortunately, tonight I need to step aside for Elliot’s sake. He and Leoneedtime alone together after being apart for weeks. I know I’ll be a topic of conversation, but Elliot needs things from Leo that I can’t give him.
Especially after I epically failed him this morning, and he had to comfortme.
But also things only Leo can give him—like an apology, and an honest discussion aboutthem.
I need to be out of the room when they sort shit out between them. Leo and I need to have our reunion alone, and after he’s had time to talk to Elliot.
And after I’ve had time to talk to Elliot following their talk.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
I spend the rest of the late morning and early afternoon dodging and weaving and avoiding Leo, including walking my unhappy little ass over to the EEOB in person to deal with some items that I could’ve handled with a phone call or e-mail.
Bokety-bok bok.
Yeah.
I keep an eye on the time, make sure Elliot gets his lunch, and in general make myself scarce. I eat my lunch huddled in a corner of the Navy Mess, and take my laptop with me to go work in the East Wing for a while at a vacant desk after saying hello to Christopher Bruunt.
If he knows I’m dodging Leo, he doesn’t comment on it.
From his lack of shock about me being there, or about the news that I’m working for Elliot now, obviously, he knew. That’s not something Kev and Shae would’ve kept from him.
Not when Chris owns them.
When it’s time for the kids to return home from school, I head up to the residence to visit with them. For the first time today, I really feel like smiling, because Hudson, Ivy, and Myla practically tackle me when I walk into the room.
I drop down onto one knee so I can hug them. For a few precious minutes, my world is completely righted again, and no negativity can pound at my brain.
“We missed you!” Myla tells me, poking me in the shoulder. “So did Pecan.”
“Well, I missed you all, too. And while you were gone, I’ve been coming up to say hello to Pecan.”
“You have?” Hudson asks.
“Sure have. Wouldn’t want him to think he was being ignored.”
“Are you going to do Pecan duty with us again?” Ivy asks.
“Sometimes, but I can’t like I used to. I’m working for Uncle Elliot now.” We talk for a few minutes, my anxiety slowly ratcheting as I realize Leo will likely appear at any moment.
I reach for my cell phone, pretending like I just received a message. “Guys, I need to get back to work. Bring it in.” I give them one last round of hugs and head for the main staircase, where I pull up short.
There stands Leo, on the second step down, just like that day six years ago when I first laid eyes on him. Almost in the exact same place.
“We need to talk, Jordan.”
I force a smile. “I can’t right now, Leo, sorry. I have to get back to work.” I start to side-step him, but he moves, blocking me.
“Now, Jordan. Thatwasn’ta request.”
