Elijah's schedule was increasingly hectic. Instead of spending time on the road campaigning over the past week, he'd remained within D.C. and the surrounding area, attending a series of donor meetings and fundraisers. He'd barely spent any time at home. It had been over a week since going to the arcade with Meredith, and he was dying to be alone with her. But she hadn't made any effort to see him.

He knew why she was mad, and why she kept blowing him off. And he knew what he'd asked her, however indirectly, was wrong. But he didn't know what else to do. He didn't want to lose her, but he was so close to winning the election. Going public with a relationship now would kill his approval ratings.

What was even more irritating was that with Meredith making herself scarce, Sosie was back to acting like a clingy, jealous girlfriend. He was relieved when he was able to ditch her at the gala he was attending.

He looked around for Henry, and found him chatting with Meredith by the veranda. She looked stunning in a white gown that hugged her curves perfectly. Her hair was styled into a loose bun, with a few strands loose on either side of her face. He felt a pang of longing as he watched her laughing gleefully while talking with his best friend.

Walking toward them, Elijah worked hard to get his face straight. He missed her so much he thought he was going to slowly go insane. He stopped when he was just a few feet away from them.

“Eli!” Henry spoke, noticing his presence. “I was just telling her how you puked the first time you got drunk,” he said with a laugh.

It had been one of the most embarrassing moments of his life. No wonder Meredith had been laughing her heart out before he'd walked over. He wanted to tell her she looked gorgeous and pull her in for a kiss, but he knew that was impossible.

Still, he thought she looked like a fucking angel in her white dress.

Henry suggested they find an empty table, and Eli hoped that Meredith would sit next to him. Instead she sat next to Henry, laughing hysterically at his jokes. Eli didn't catch any of them, because he'd been too busy staring at her.

She was the total package. Gorgeous, smart, hardworking... she deserved so much more than what he could give her.

All too soon, Meredith stood up, saying she had to leave, mentioning something about a get-together at her parents' house. She politely said her goodbyes and left.

Eli was barely able to wish her goodbye, sitting there stiffly as he watched her leave.

“Want to go for a walk?” Henry asked, looking at him like he was truly pitiful.

Nodding his head, Elijah rose from his seat and followed Henry, seeing them out of the crowded ballroom. They went down the illuminated pathway that led to the greenhouse and manmade river.

The place was gorgeous, but he couldn’t enjoy the beautiful view because he was bothered by a lot of things. Plus, he didn’t have the slightest idea what to do with Meredith. He didn’t want everything between them to end just like that. But he didn’t have a choice, did he?

“What’s wrong with you?” Henry asked, and he raised his head in surprise at the hint of irritation in his friend’s tone.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“You finally found yourself an amazing girl, but you're all moody. Are things that bad with the campaign?” Henry asked, kicking at a tiny rock.

Elijah took a closer look at Henry’s face. The man was serious.

“No, the campaign is going great, actually,” he answered.

“So what’s wrong?”

He stayed quiet for a moment, staring blankly at the dark night sky filled with stars. Henry was right. Meredith was amazing. And she deserved better and more than what he could offer.

“I care about her, a lot… but I wish I could give her more,” he spoke in between sighs. “There’s no way she’s going to stay with me as things are.”

He didn’t understand why, but tears started to form in his eyes. The mere thought of Meredith leaving him was tearing him apart. He wouldn't be able to bear it if he saw her with someone else.

“How things are?” Henry repeated, still puzzled.

“I’m a presidential candidate, Henry. Goddamn it! I can’t exactly bring my twenty-something girlfriend out onto the stage for a kiss and expect people to applaud,” he spoke while gritting his teeth as his hands clenched into fists. “My political enemies will rip her to shreds. And that’s only the beginning.”

“I see.” Henry patted him on the shoulders while nodding his head, finally understanding what was wrong.

“I just… I know she’s going to leave. And besides, I’ve got other things to worry about. Christ! I’ve got the fucking campaign to win.”

“So… that’s it, then?” Henry asked.

Eli wiped at a tear rolling down his left cheek.

This was the first and only time in his entire life he'd ever been scared over losing a woman. Worse, he knew he'd fucked up, and he'd never have the chance to tell her how he really felt about her. He never thought he could be in so much pain over someone he'd only known for a few months. How was this even possible?

You found love, said a voice in his head.

And this time, he didn’t have a reason to disagree. What else could it be?

Yes, he loved Meredith Fields.

He was madly and infuriatingly in love with her.

“Yeah, Henry… I guess that’s it,” he murmured in agreement. The realization gutted him.

“How ‘bout a glass of whisky?” Henry suggested.

After a moment of silence, Eli nodded his head and Henry led the way back to the large ballroom. He hoped the alcohol would help lessen the pain he was feeling. He silently wished it would help his heart grow numb.