Chapter 17
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
HARPER
After my call with Lawson, I’m distracted. He reminded me he’d be in New York, and we’ll have an entire day to spend together between his games. I can’t wait to see him. He brought up the idea of having dinner since they will be in town for two games: New York and New Jersey, back-to-back. I suggested inviting Zac, which Lawson thought was a fantastic idea. Then he said we’d include Chance and Julian, and I seized up. That dinner has the potential for a colossal disaster, and I would be the catalyst.
I’m trying to focus, but mostly staring at a blank page on my laptop and scrolling TikTok. Social media is my go-to for inspiration when I need ideas for a story. People put their whole life out there for the world to see, and I’m not ashamed that I watch those videos. For artistic motivation, of course. I’m trying to work out what Gavin Snow’s motivation is with Charlotte, when there’s a light tap at my door.
“Come in,” I call to Zac. I’m sitting on my bed with my laptop across my legs, every pillow propped behind me. Noodle is curled up next to me, his steady breathing morphing into a light snore.
Zac enters my room with an absolutely gorgeous, to the point of obscene, display of flowers. I assume he’s behind them somewhere because it’s so large it blocks his entire upper body, and surely, they aren’t floating on thin air.
“What’s this?” I ask. He sits them down on my dresser with a firm thud, and the movement of the flowers gives off an overwhelming fragrance, making me feel like I’m in a field of wildflowers on a spring day. It’s bordering on obnoxious.
Zac sneezes. “God bless you,” I say, but my blessing doesn’t erase his scowl. “What are these for?” Zac shrugs his shoulders, pulls the card from the center of the monstrosity and thrusts it at me. “I was talking to Lawson a little while ago and told him I was having writer’s block. Maybe he sent them to cheer me up.” Zac continues to scowl, not a word spoken. I’m not sure what’s gotten into him, but he needs to dial it down a notch or three. Then he tosses a white bag from the Apple store my way. Now I’m completely baffled.
He stands there and crosses his arms over his broad chest, waiting. “What?” His head nods toward the bag he gave me. He wants to know who the flowers are from, but I don’t want to do this in front of him. I’m fearful if they aren’t from Lawson, I’ll be getting more than the silent treatment from my roommate.
“I take it they aren’t from you?” His scowl deepens. “Have I told you peonies are my favorite flower?” Based on the grunt he makes, Zac obviously doesn’t care about my botanical preferences.
I swallow my nerves and open the card, sliding it out of the sealed envelope. It isn’t a standard issue florist card. It’s hefty. Expensive. I unfold it to find a handwritten note. It’s not the kind of card you get when you order over the phone. This is the kind of note you write in person, and they deliver with the order. I close my eyes and take a breath before I read, keenly aware my every movement, expression, word, is being scrutinized by the hockey player studying me.
The handwriting is neat and masculine.
Gorgeous,
I wasn't sure if there was a problem with your phone or if you were ghosting me, so I thought I’d contact you another way. Dinner with me tonight?
Julian
PS- I got you a new phone because, clearly, it’s option one. Fingers crossed its option one.
I pull the note to my chest and giggle, my nervousness forgotten. I wasn’t ignoring him. Not really. I’m conflicted about how to answer. I need to focus on my writing project. But based on these flowers, there’s no way I can ignore this man. I pull the box from the bag and find the latest iPhone. The lock screen is Julian on his knees, hands together, begging. Even when he’s goofing around, he’s incredibly sexy. I want to thread my fingers through his hair and tame those waves. But when it comes to Julian, there’s no taming him. And do I really want to? His spontaneity and fun personality are super-hot.
The new phone has one text notification.
DINNER?
I can’t hide my amusement at his over-the-top gesture.
It reminds me of JB and his instalust thrill of the chase. Is that what’s going on here? Is it the chase? If that’s the case, he’ll have to work for it. I don’t want to be easy prey. After all, the chase is fun for me too.
Zac clears his throat. Agh! I forgot he’s still in the room. It’s really sweet that he’s concerned but also none of his business what I do. Another conundrum.
“What’s wrong with you?” My attempt at leaving it vague, maintaining a cool demeanor, is difficult considering I’m as giddy as a Swiftie on a new album release day.
Zac responds with another grunt.
“Sorry, I don’t understand caveman,” I respond with a little edge in my voice. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.” I throw his attitude right back at him. Two can play at this game. He needs to either tell me what’s on his mind or move on.
“I told you, CJ. I don’t trust him.” He’s told me that, and I don’t understand why.
“Is it him or anyone I might go out with? Just trying to figure out the context here.”
Zac comes over and sits on the edge of the bed, keeping one foot on the floor, the other tucked under him as he turns and looks at me.
“Look, I know how guys think. Remember what I told you about you being different? You’re a beautiful, sweet girl, and trust me, this is the tip of his level of crazy.” He looks at the flowers and shakes his head.
“It’s not like that,” I mumble.
“CJ, it’s exactly like that. I’m not going to be around much now that the season’s starting, and well, promise me you’ll be careful. I can’t pick up the pieces of your broken heart when I’m not here.”
Zac is a sweetheart, and I swoon a little at his concern for my heart. His stoic hockey-player persona put aside as he worries for me. I put my hand to his cheek, the scruff of his soft beard tickling my hand. The unease fills his eyes as he watches my face for a sign of distress. I peer into his deep brown eyes, offering a hesitant smile as my cheeks flush slightly. Hopefully, it’s enough to ease his apprehension about Julian.
“Thank you. You don’t have to worry about me, but I appreciate it. Worrying about me isn’t in the roommate agreement.” I’m touched by his concern, but I’m a big girl. I can handle this.
He nods quickly and leaves. I need to respond to Julian, and I’m trying to be logical and not spiral into overthinking this. Julian’s pursuit has my brain scrambled.
I open my laptop and stare at the chapter I’ve struggled to finish. Would Gavin Snow make an elaborate gesture like send a humongous display of flowers or buy a phone because Charlotte didn’t respond to a text? I’ll test the waters. Is Julian a typical man when it comes to the chase? I’ll ask JB.
PRISCILLA: Would Gavin do something outrageous to get Charlotte’s attention? If so, give me an idea.
Noodle moves to my lap while I wait to see if JB is online.
“I know, buddy. I’m curious what he’ll say too.” My hand rubs his ears, the soft fur calming my anxiety.
The floral arrangement on my dresser is so captivating that I can’t help but be drawn to the beauty and intricate details. I focus my attention on the flowers while I wait for JB to respond. There must be at least two dozen peonies in this monstrosity of an arrangement in every shade of pink. Flowers that vary from exotic to simple surround them, but they all come together to create the most elaborate and beautiful display I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t look like it should work, but it does. It’s interesting, layered, complex, and I wonder if that’s the point. Sometimes it’s not supposed to work, but it does.
My computer dings, and Noodle and I startle at the sound. He gets up and moves to the foot of the bed, forgoing the snuggles for peace and quiet. I’m eager to read his response, my heart racing with anticipation.
JB: Depends on the definition of outrageous. He gets paid to play a game that involves a hard piece of rubber flying at a high rate of speed while having sharp blades strapped to his feet balancing on a sheet of ice. What Charlotte might see as outrageous, he might see as reasonable. Perspective and motivation are everything, don’t you agree?
I let out a little exhale. Not the answer I was expecting, but a thoughtful one. Maybe my imagination is getting the better of me. JB isn’t Julian, after all. My author brain is taking over my reality brain. There’s no way Julian would write romance novels. I chastise myself for thinking life is like a romance book. It’s not. I need to reign in my crazy a bit.
Time to get back to work. Perspective and motivation. What is Gavin’s perspective and motivation with Charlotte? What’s Julian’s perspective and motivation with me? Zac seems to think it’s because I’m different. Is it about the chase? Is the playboy ready to change his ways? Perspective. Motivation. I close my eyes and contemplate what would motivate a man to send such an extravagant arrangement of flowers because of an unanswered text.
My computer dings again, breaking me out of my confusing thoughts.
JB: But maybe he’d send her a new phone because she doesn’t respond to a text. He’s desperate for her to say yes. Is that outrageous?
I close my eyes and count to ten.
PRISCILLA: Yes.