Chapter 12 #2
As I’m nearly out the door, Isaac leaving catches my attention.
But it isn’t only Isaac, James is rushing after him.
In all of this, my attention has been on Olivia, not the hot Canadian I’ve been indulging myself with this week.
I should pat myself on the back for focusing on what matters—which isn’t my pussy.
In the mass exodus of press leaving the conference room in search of Olivia or Isaac for questions, I can’t find Livy.
I try a few of the other rooms, but either the doors are locked or they’re empty.
Down one of the hallways, there are hushed voices, and as I turn a corner, I find Isaac down on one knee.
I only catch half of what they’re saying until I’m closer, but there was something about buying a ring for her and…
Fuck. Finn was right. Isaac just asked Olivia to marry him. I remain rooted in place, not wanting to ruin everything if she says yes. At least he waited until they were alone.
“On one condition,” she replies, and her eyes are glassy even from here.
His smile is wide as he asks, “And what’s that?”
“We do this right, have a long engagement, then save on wedding expenses and just elope.”
“Counter-offer: we elope tonight.”
My hand flies to my mouth to stifle my gasp. What is he thinking? They can’t just run off to Niagara Falls, or whatever, and get married.
“Counter-offer to your counter-offer,” she tuts, though I’m not surprised.
My girl is an overthinker and never does anything impulsive—except maybe make out with the Prime Minister in a conference room where any world leader could walk in on them.
“After thirty days of living with me, we elope. You need to see the chaos firsthand to know what you’re signing up for. ”
“Whatever you want, babygirl.” Isaac kisses her knuckles, making Olivia blush.
“Okay, well, stand up before someone sees you.”
“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 people who 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-struck eejits did.”
“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.