Chapter 20 Isaac
Isaac
The storm is beginning to pick up, and even if we’re not snowed-in this week, there’s a good chance the roads won’t be clear enough to drive to and from the convention center.
The hotel attached to it is fully booked, but I pack a bag, just in case there’s a last-minute vacancy.
With all of my staff here for the week, I may be able to crash with one of them.
Once I arrive and make my way through security, I leave my bag with the front desk.
Wandering to the convention space to check in, I’m scanning every face I pass, hoping one of them is my girl.
I won’t be able to touch her; the best I can hope for is a friendly hug.
I fucking hate it. What I would give to have a single stolen moment to do more than shake her hand.
I spot Westley wearing all black and an earpiece—Livy can’t be far.
The moment she’s in view, my heart skitters to a stop.
We lock eyes, but only for a second before she continues her conversation with Aubrey.
Olivia’s a fucking vision, wearing a blue dress with a black blazer.
Of course it isn’t just any dress, it’s the dress.
Cerulean, as Aubrey called it. In a damn trance, I can’t take my eyes off her.
As they approach, Aubrey breaks the spell I’m under, greeting, “Good morning, Prime Minister.” She shakes my hand and leans in to whisper, “Behave, Isaac. All eyes are on her this week.”
She’s right. This entire event is happening because of my brilliant, selfless Livy. No matter how much I crave her, I keep a safe distance, only offering a handshake. “Good morning, Governor. I’m excited for our roundtable discussion later.”
“There’s nothing exciting about people who are starving,” she retorts.
Even though she’s right, I’m taken aback by the comment. Olivia knows where I stand politically, and the work I’ve done over the years. I’m genuinely confused why she’d have such a harsh tone with me.
What’s changed since last night? Is this about the flowers?
Livy glances left, then right, and leans in to quietly tell me, “I’m sorry.
I love you.” With her this close, her sweet perfume fills my nostrils.
Coupled with those three little words, I have to stifle a groan.
She rights her posture, but the lust in her eyes is unmistakable.
“Thank you for the invitation to attend.”
As she brushes past me, her hand grazes mine, a ghost of a touch. I spin in place, needing one last look at her, but my admiration comes to a screeching halt when Aubrey’s sing-song voice pierces the bubble I’ve been in. “Sorry, Daddy Isaac, don’t get any ideas. I’m next door to her.”
Oh, I have more than ideas…
I shamelessly watch them walk away, and in true Olivia fashion, she glances back once.
Despite her serious expression, her eyes are bright, full of fire.
For months, I’ve imagined what it would be like to have her here, proudly by my side, showing the world that she’s mine as much as I’m hers.
But it’s just that—my imagination, a dream.
I retrieve my badge and lanyard, then make my way to the large conference room where we’ll be hosting one of the roundtable discussions.
Checking the nameplates, I adjust where Livy’s sitting so she’ll be across from me.
If I can’t touch her, I at least want to have an excuse for not being able to take my eyes off her.
The first panel of the day begins soon, so I head to one of the ballrooms that’s set with a large stage and theater-style seating.
We have a variety of speakers scheduled, including a social worker, dietary specialist, and a few education experts.
The moderator is a psychology professor from a local university who jumped at the opportunity to interview.
The focus of this panel is to discuss the impact of malnourishment in school-aged children and how to combat the problem.
A few people are already seated, talking quietly amongst themselves. I find a seat in the front, and several minutes later, the space is filled with attendees. Even through the chatter, Olivia’s voice pierces it, and I have to resist searching for her—but there’s no harm in eavesdropping.
“It’s so great to see you again, President Hernandez,” she coos brightly.
“You as well. But, please, call me Maria. How’s your transition been?”
“Stressful,” Livy chuckles. “But I have an incredible team. If it wasn’t for Aubrey, I’d be so lost. Speaking of, will you excuse me? I need to find her and my social media manager before it begins. Will you save me a seat?”
“Of course.”
There are two vacant chairs to my left, and Maria takes one of them, leaving an empty seat between us. “Good morning, Isaac. I hope you don’t mind if I save a spot for Olivia.”
And just like that, fate is on my side again. I stuff down my amusement and nod. “Absolutely. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t even be here.”
She busies herself with her phone, and I do the same, reading through a few emails that came in this morning. A few minutes later, I sense Olivia before I see or hear her. I glance up, an ache building in my chest as she hesitantly sits beside me.
“Good morning, Governor.”
She blows out a long sigh, likely assuming this was my idea. “Good morning.”
Leaning in a few inches, I whisper, “Did you sleep well?”
“Not exactly. The room next door was a bit… loud.”
I sit back and bark out a laugh as she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip to keep her smile at bay. “Is that so? Well, there’s a spare bedroom at the residence if you need a break from your noisy neighbor.”
Livy rolls her eyes and faces forward. “Thank you for the offer, but it should be much quieter tonight since she’ll have a roommate.” Her phone chimes, and she retrieves it from her purse, silencing it. “Aubrey mentioned that you’ve added another roundtable discussion for tomorrow.”
“Yes. After speaking with the British Prime Minister, we need to discuss healthcare in a separate meeting. Many of us have socialized medicine, and we’re both hoping to speak with Vice President Vasileiou to encourage America to follow in suit.”
“I don’t think I need to be in that meeting. Other than federal funding for a few programs, insurance isn’t really a state issue.”
“I want you there, Livy.” My admission comes out a bit more flirtatious than I intended, and she sucks in a breath. I’ll never tire of riling her up, even if it’s an accident.
She’s about to reply when the moderator announces we’ll begin shortly.
Sitting beside her like this brings me back to the class we took together in college.
My palms itch to take her hand or slide mine into her thigh—any small connection she’d allow me.
I took it for granted back then. Now I’m sitting next to the only woman I’ve ever loved, and I can’t show her how much she means to me.
The panel begins, and the moderator introduces me.
I stand, brushing the front of my pants, then make my way to the podium.
“Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for attending this week’s summit.
As you’ll see in the schedule, we’ll begin each day with a panel, followed by a roundtable discussion you’ve signed up for, then lunch.
The afternoons are broken up based on interest to include additional panels and breakout sessions with the experts.
Thank you to all of our special guests, especially to Governor Harris and the Taylor administration for their contributions to the summit.
We’re looking forward to a week that will inspire positive change for some of our most vulnerable populations. ”
Once the applause begins, I step away from the microphone and make my way back to my seat. Livy shifts toward me and whispers, “You didn’t need to mention me.”
I ignore her as the panelists are introduced, and they begin their discussion on the correlation between food and education—essentially hungry kids perform worse.
None of this is news, and I hate to admit I’m unable to focus with Livy beside me.
Thankfully, one of my aides, James, is taking notes for me farther back in the room that I can review later.
Perhaps switching her seat for the roundtable later wasn’t the best idea after all.
Unlike me, Olivia is taking notes on her tablet, and as I peek at her work, I notice it’s more of a brainstorming document with bullet points of issues she wants to research when she gets home.
I direct my attention back to the panelists, and one of them is a deputy executive director for UNICEF.
We’ve been in contact over the past few months, and on more than one occasion she’s hinted at me leaving my position as Prime Minister to come work for them.
One of the directors is retiring, and if there was a real possibility of being part of their leadership team, I’d resign in a heartbeat.