Also meaning my chances to find time alone with Leo today are quickly dwindling. Tomorrow won’t be possible, either, because of Elliot’s Senate time, and Leo’s supposed to travel with the president.
When I sac up and walk over to the outer office, I find Leo on the phone. While he glances up at my arrival, he doesn’t meet my gaze or otherwise acknowledge me before looking back down at the legal pad in front of him.
That…stings. Not going to lie.
The president’s secretary gives me a warm smile. “Can I help you, Jordan?”
“I needed a word with Leo.”
“He’ll be a while. Anything I can help you with?”
I can’t stand around out here and just wait. For starters, it’ll look weird. Secondly, it’s not like we can talk right here and now.
“No, nothing important. It’s all right, I’ll stop by later.”
But I get buried in calls and questions from staff, and the next thing I know, I need to hustle Elliot over to the press briefing room.
Leo’s standing in the hallway just outside, talking with a staffer.
Elliot pats him on the shoulder as he passes, briefly squeezing, and Leo pats his hand. “Afternoon, Leo.”
Leo flashes him a smile and they also exchange a head tip. “Good afternoon, Mister Vice President.”
Leo immediately resumes his conversation with the staffer without acknowledging me.
I hang back to try to catch his eye, but then he turns and heads inside, leaving me standing there.
Did I suddenly turn invisible?
Or is this petty payback for throwing him out of the house?
Because he doesnotwant to go down the petty road with me.
#pettyqueen
I step inside the briefing room and position myself close to him. He’s standing there with his arms crossed and watching the podium. I’m going to say something when the press briefing starts.
Dammit.
And that’s how the rest of the day goes, with me not having a chance to actually speak to Leo before Elliot and I are heading out for his dinner with donors.
By the time we return to the residence close to midnight, we’re both exhausted. All we really want to do is collapse. I barely have the energy to put his collar and cuffs on him before we crawl into bed, but he definitely sleeps better with them on. Besides, it’s a routine. They’re a comfort.
I know the feeling.
Damn, how I envy him right now, too.
