“Too late,” I interject, marching toward them as Isaac stands.
I’m tempted to slap Isaac for making more work for me, but what good would it do? Olivia loves him, and he’s utterly obsessed with her. No matter how much I hate how this has blown up, maybe it’s for the best? True love is rare, and in my case, nonexistent. Who am I to stand in the way of two peoplewho deserve to be happy? Hell, after fifteen years, they’re back to being just as in love as they were when they met. It’ll be a lot of footwork on my end to ensure Livy’s reputation isn’t tarnished, but she deserves the world.
Instead of ripping him a new one, I wrap my arms around him in a tight hug. “You’re an asshole, but thank you for loving my friend.”
“I, uh… you’re welcome?”
A chuckle bubbles out of me, but a tear also slips down my cheek. It’s probably just the hormones. “Sorry, I’m just really emotional this week.”
“Emotional is putting it mildly,” Olivia huffs, but she still can’t wipe the stupid grin off her face. “Anyway, I should hide away for the day until things die down. I’m sure I’ll be stopped no less than a thousand times between here and the hotel room.”
“No,” I insist, shaking my head and pulling out my phone to begin damage control. “You two go attend the rest of the scheduled panels and roundtables. Maybe don’t make out in the middle of someone discussing nutrition or homelessness, but you can safely hold hands and no one will say shit. If they do, I’ll take care of it.”
“Could you connect with James as well?” Isaac asks, and my heart leaps into my throat at hearing him mention Jamie. “I’d like him to be on the same page to mitigate anything happening online.”
Now he wants to be on the same page?“Oh, sure, but I’ll put Tracy on it.”
It’s better this way. Clean break.
I lead the way down the hall, ignoring Isaac and Olivia whispering behind me. While they are adorable, there’s too much work to do. Thankfully, they do as I asked, avoid the press, and attend the scheduled events. I’d love to join them, but the longer we go without a public statement, the more likely things will spiral out of control.
I’m not looking where I’m going and faceplant into a hard chest. “Whoa there, lass. Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
I glance up, finding sparkling green eyes with little laugh lines on full display in the corners. “Oh, hi, Finn. Sorry, I have a lot of work to do.”
“So I hear. Can I be of any assistance?”
“President Taylor’s Chief of Staff, Kristin… Can you put me in touch with her?”
“Depends.” He leans in to quietly ask, “Is this regarding the Prime Minister, or the one in charge of his social media?”
I do my best to school my expression as he pulls back. I’ve obviously been as careless as Olivia has, and I can only hope Finn is the only one to have noticed. “Both,” I reply as evenly as possible, despite my nerves being shot.
“Hand me your phone.” I do as he pulls out his own. After a few taps and swipes, he presses our phones together, sending me her contact, then hands me back mine. “There. I’ve been keeping my finger on the pulse of everything happening this week—Ms. Proctor is privy to all of it. I try to stay away from local politics, but when it involves Ileah or Jaclyn…” His comment isn’t a threat, but still a warning.
“I completely understand. Olivia is like a sister, and I intend to do everything in my power to protect her, but it won’t be at the cost of the Presidency. We’ve waited too long for a woman in the Oval.”
“Agreed.” He dips his chin once. “As a man who waited years for the woman he’s always loved, I understand the Prime Minister’s actions today. Don’t make the same mistake two love-struckeejitsdid.”
“Oh, I’m not in love, we just met.”Fuck! How could I be so careless in admitting anything happened this week?“I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Considering the man in question hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we began this conversation—no, don’t look right now—I’d gather he is harboring bigger feelings than you’re willing to admit.”
As Finn offers his hand, I resist checking to see if he’s right. What Jamie and I had this week was a fling, nothing more.
Even if I wish it could be.
13
Jamie
I’ve done my best to keep my distance since the press conference, but tonight is the last night I’ll have with Aubrey until I make the move to California, and she’s nowhere to be found. I should be concerned about what’s trending on socials and fielding questions, but I can’t focus.
Isaac was offered a position with UNICEF, and while I’d love to be part of his staff, the more I consider it, the more it doesn’t feel like my calling. I’d like to find something with room to grow that’s more community or environmentally focused. But when I consider what I really want… I want Aubrey.
My mother would likely say I’m clouded by emotion, and she wouldn’t be wrong. Aubrey’s been clear that whatever this is between us is casual, but her actions are contradictory. We’ve spent the past week together every waking moment we weren’t pulled into meetings, and even then, she found ways to ensure we were seated together. So why does it feel like if I can’t convince her to stay with me tonight, it’ll be the end?
Needing to work off a bit of pent-up frustration, I get the green light from the general manager to hit the hotel gym. Withmy current position in the communications department being a bit precarious at the moment, the last thing I need is to be fired from my bartending job before applying for anything in California. In my room, I pack and change into a tank and shorts, then make my way down. As much as I’ve enjoyed staying at the hotel, I need to get home to my plants and routines.
