Seth was right, calling Emily's engagement ring ostentatious was the understatement of the century.
"Jesus, did you see the size of her ring? Fucking thing needs it own zip code." It was about the most pathetic he'd ever felt, lingering outside a conference room, eavesdropping on Seth's conversation. He wouldn't have done it, except that no one talked about Emily around him anymore, and he needed to hear that she was happy.
He didn't recognize the next speaker, which was just as well, as he had half a mind to fire everyone in there, "Well he had to get her something big, needs something to remind You Know Who that she's taken." He felt his fist clenched; why couldn't anyone understand that he and Emily were just friends. And the last thing he needed leaking to the press was the fact that his staff referred to him by the same nickname as Wizard Hitler.
He didn't have any trouble recognizing the third voice, "Like that's going to stop the two of them." Scratch that, that was the last thing he needed leaking to the press; the fact that he had cheated on Isabel.
"You going to say something or just stare at my hand all night?" Emily finally broke him away from his thoughts.
"Congratulations, Emily." He said, mustering his best attempt at sincerity.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously, hey you got the fiancé and I got the job. Just like old times huh?"
"If you try and tell me I'm the real winner here I'll punch you in the face Aaron. Secret Service be damned." God, he missed her.
"John does have nice cheekbones. And I do have a thing for blue eyes."
Emily swept her head around checking for onlookers and finding none quickly flashed him her middle finger.
"Don't worry I'm not trying to steal your boyfriend."
"Fiancé." She automatically corrected, "And I hate to break it to you, but I don't think your his type."
"I'm the President of the United States, I'm everyone's type." He said, puffing out his chest a little.
"President elect." She corrected him again. "And that line of thinking had gotten a few of your predecessors into trouble."
"Touché. Well like I said, love in Washington doesn't happen everyday, Congratulations."
"If I recall correctly, last time you told me that I was single within a week, and you'd lost your job within four."
"Well, I'm hoping to at least make it to the inauguration, this time around."
"And what about me?" She said, her voice suddenly low, longing.
"What about you?" He asked, knowing exactly what she was saying.
"Do you want me single by the end of the week?" It was blunt, even for Emily.
"No." It was true. He wanted her wearing his ring not single.
"We're moving to California."
"Oh." He should have expected this, and honestly it was for the best, the more distance between him and Emily, the less likely he would be to do what he swore he would never do again.
"Well with the campaign over. It's closer to his family."
"And that's what you want?" He asks almost harshly. This would be easier if John was in any way a good match for Emily. But he didn't think she wouldn't be here begging him to make her a better offer if he was.
"You can't always get what you want."
"Hmh." He barely managed a smile. "Well, like I said congratulations."
Apparently the third time's the charm. She flashed him the same weak smile he's giving her, and said "Same to you Aaron."
And after the lightest hug imaginable, she walks out of his life.
A/N: Posting some snippets that were originally going to be parts of longer works that I won't be writing. Although some people seemed interested in Resignation, so I may pick that up :)