"I still need to give it some thought and talk it over with someone, but I'll get back to you soon. I wanted to weigh my options before deciding."
"Hopefully, I was able to persuade you to our side. I think you'd be great. But you have my number should you have any other questions."
Standing with him, Fitz shook the man's hand and watched him walk out of the hotel restaurant the next morning. After having it out with Liv in her suite, Fitz checked into the room across the hall from her and crashed in bed. Olivia could try as much as she wanted to avoid him, but he was not going to let it go. They belonged together and he was determined to make her see that. Even if it took a bit more time than he wanted.
Coming into the restaurant after her run, Liv sat down a few tables behind him and looked over the menu while the two men finished their meeting. Only looking up when the waitress came over to her, she gave her a smile and placed her order before looking at her phone.
Fitz was too engaged in his emails to notice when she came in but her voice he heard clearly. Gathering his newspaper and jacket, he moved over to sit with her.
"Is this what we're doing now? Ignoring each other?"
"If we were ignoring each other, you'd still be at your table," she sighed not looking away from her phone.
"You could have joined me."
"You were busy."
Fitz smirked at her and crossed his leg, making himself more comfortable. "That's never stopped you before, Livie. How many times have you interrupted one of my meetings to give your input? Or tell me how I should be handling something?"
"I'm sure your next assistant will have better manners."
Reaching across the table, Fitz took her phone from her and put it on the table face down. "My next assistant is the same one I had three months ago. You. I refuse to train another person to do the job you are more than qualified and capable of doing."
"I'm not going to be an assistant anymore. Or anyone's girlfriend."
"No, you're more than that. Both categories. What are you going to be if not an assistant? I gave you paralegal work. I never treated you or thought of you as only an assistant. Your work is incredible. Law school?"
"Never. Not that it's any of your concern, I won't be working. I'll be travelling a lot more. I'm working with the charities and hospitals and all that I financially support."
Fitz took a sip of the water in front of him and shook his head. "No, I don't like that idea. I don't think you should be traveling alone. I can't go with you right now and Huck is busy. Dad and Verna obviously wouldn't be able to."
Laughing at him, "I don't recall asking your permission or advice. Perhaps I wasn't clear last night. We. Are. Not. Together. You and I are not 'we'. I am single. I can travel the globe. I could go cliff diving in Washington State. I could bungy jump off the Eiffel Tower. I could dig for buried treasure in the Caribbean. I can do whatever I like. Because I am a grown ass woman with no responsibilities to anyone or anything unless I so choose. I am not attached to anyone anymore. I'm free and single and independent. I don't need anyone's permission. Least of all, yours."
"Liv…"
"I can be as damaged as I want because there isn't a single person who has the right to judge my life or how I live it. If I want to sleep with every single man that looks at me, I can. If I want to drop to my knees and blow every guy that gives me the time of day, I can. There is no one who can stop me. There's no reason I can't."
"Olivia…"
"I am able to do whatever I like. No strings. No commitments. I'll have as many one-night stands as I can have. I can be the biggest whore you've ever seen. The town slut? Please. I'll go bigger than that. The country's slut. I'm damaged enough that I can get away with all of it."
"Damn it, Olivia!" Fitz shouted as he pounded his fist on the table making everyone in the restaurant turn to see. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Sorry isn't good enough."
The waitress chose that moment to place the parfait in front of her and walk away fast.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make a scene," he said, sitting up taller. "I don't like you even suggesting that's what you're going to do. Or even a thought that crossed your mind. I definitely don't want you leaving again. And I'm trying my best to make you realize that. Livie, I love you. How can I make this right? How can I get you to come back to me? Name it, and I'll do it. If you want a banner in the sky saying I'm sorry, I'll get one. I'll get on my hands and knees and beg for forgiveness if that's what it takes. I can't lose you again, Olivia. When Dad told me about James, I knew I had messed up royally. But the fact that you didn't block my calls, you didn't change your number, you still came and let me into the suite last night, gives me hope that there's a chance we can work this out. Tell me there's a chance. Livie, tell me I haven't lost you forever." Fitz reached his hand over to hers trying to hold it on the table.
Hearing his pleas did make her soften a little. She pulled her hand from his and took hold of the spoon to start to eat her breakfast. Of course, I still love you. You're so stupid to think that I don't. But there's a limit to what I will tolerate.
"Why were you meeting with Brad Gilbert?"
"How…how do you know him?"
"This is DC, Fitz. What are you doing meeting with the third best political mastermind in the country?"
"Third? Pretty sure Brad's the best in the business."
Rolling her eyes, she continued to eat. "Answering the question with another question. Dodging much?"
"Answer my question and I'll answer yours, Livie. What is it going to take for me to have you back? What do you need me to do? I'm not above groveling."
Finishing the parfait, she sat back and crossed her arms before looking around the room. "This isn't a conversation we should have here."
"You're going to make me grovel, aren't you?" Fitz hesitated.
"No, but the answer I want from you might not be one you're willing to give in public. Plus, I'd like to be able to hit you when needed."
"Oh boy. Where are we going?"
"The ring."
