Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Harrison
I was asleep on the couch, dreaming about the day my mother died, when I was jolted out of it by a knock on the door.
“Athena.” I gestured for her to come inside.
“You look like shit. Were you sleeping?”
“Yes. Actually, I was. I’m still hungover. If you’re here to yell at me about Adalyn, save it. I’m in no mood. And you’re one to talk.”
“I happen to like Pete very much, and you would too if you bothered to get to know him.”
“He’s after your money.”
“No, he’s not. I know when men are after my money. Pete is different. He’s sweet and kind. He has a sense of humor, and he treats me good. He gave me flowers.” Her brow raised. “And I will continue seeing him whether you like it or not. Understand me?”
“You women and your flowers.” I rolled my eyes.
“Now, what are your feelings for Adalyn?”
“I don’t have feelings for Adalyn. We had sex, big deal. Why do women always think there have to be feelings involved?”
“Last night wasn’t the first time. And thank God it wasn’t since neither of you could remember it.”
“She told you?”
“Yes. She told me that the two of you have been having casual sex. Which proves my point that you can’t keep your dick in your pants when a beautiful woman is near you.”
“She agreed.” I pointed at her. “Don’t blame this solely on me. She wanted it as much as I did.”
“Perhaps.”
“And by the way, it’s your fault. So, if anyone is to blame here, it’s you.”
“My fault?” She pointed to herself. “How is this my fault?”
“You were the one that hired her. It wouldn't have happened if she had gone back to Seattle like she was supposed to.”
“So, you’re blaming me because you can’t control your cock?”
“For fuck’s sake, will you stop talking like that?”
“You must have some feelings for her, Harrison.”
“She’s a nice woman, and when she’s finished with the townhouse, she’ll go back to Seattle.”
“And how does that make you feel?”
“It makes me feel fine. I’ll be in my new house, she’ll be gone, and life will go on. What are you doing, Athena? Are you trying to push us together or something? Because it will not happen.” I pointed at her. “You know where I stand.”
“I definitely know where you stand, and I think you’re stupid as fuck for it. Ever since Mom died, you’ve changed. You won’t allow yourself to get close and open up to anyone. I know you can never take back the words you said to her before she died, but you can’t punish yourself for the rest of your life. I know you think you don’t deserve to be happy because of it, but Harrison, you do. I love you, and I only want to see you happy.”
“I am happy, Athena. Now drop it.”
“One day, Grandmother will pass, and I’ll be married with my own family. Dad will still be in Europe, and you’ll be left alone. Is that what you want?”
“I’ll be fine.” I spoke as I looked out the window.
“Whatever, Harrison. I’ll talk to you later.” She walked out the door.
I took in a deep breath as I stared out into the city.
One Week Later
Adalyn
I’d finally gotten rid of the boot. Thank God. I’d had enough of that thing. I hadn’t seen Harrison in over a week, and his answers were very short when I would text him about something. I didn’t understand what his problem was, but I missed his dumb ass. Shit. I still hadn’t told Carly that we’d slept together again. I hadn’t been in the mood to hear it from her.
The townhouse was coming along and a lot quicker than I thought. But that’s what happens when you make friendly with the workers. They respected me, and I respected them. The kitchen was my favorite part of the house, with light gray walls, shaker-style white cabinets with a pearl glaze and under-mounted lighting, gray mist quartz countertops, and a dark wood floor. But my most favorite part was the addition of the beautiful French doors I’d picked out that led to the garden. Not that Harrison would ever use it.
“Hey, Adalyn,” Pete spoke. “Are those the light fixtures for over island sitting there?” he pointed.
“Yes. Can you get them up today? I’m dying to see what they look like?”
“Yep. I’ll do it right now.”
“Great. Thank you. The appliances are arriving today, and the kitchen will be complete.” I smiled.
That was another thing that pissed me off. I had sent Harrison a text three days ago to come with me to shop for appliances, and he told me to pick the top of the line because he didn’t have time to deal with it.
I walked around the rest of the house, inspecting the almost completed work. The smartest thing Harrison had done was hire a crew for each floor. They remodeled all eight bathrooms with a different transitional look with marble flooring. They were done to perfection, and I couldn’t be happier. Next on my list was shopping for furniture. I already had the window treatments designed and ordered. Pulling out my phone, I sent Harrison a text message.
“I’m going shopping for furniture. Are you coming with me, or are you leaving me to do it on my own?”
“When are you going?”
“Now.”
“And you just expect me to drop everything because you can’t give me notice?”
“Answer my question, Harrison. I don’t have time to argue.”
“Do what you must and leave the bedroom furniture for last. I want to pick that out. Text me when you’re ready, and I’ll meet you.”
“Fine.”
I walked down the stairs to find Athena standing in the foyer.
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed as she looked around. “Adalyn, this place is gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“Holy shit. I may move in myself. Has Harrison seen it yet?”
“No. He can’t be bothered.” I made a grumpy face.
“He is my brother, and I love him, but he’s an asshole.”
“Come look at the kitchen! Pete is in there hanging fixtures.” I grinned.
“I know. That’s why I dropped by. I brought him lunch.”
When we stepped into the kitchen, Pete smiled, walked over to Athena and kissed her.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hi yourself, handsome.” Athena grinned. “Shit, Adalyn. This kitchen is to die for! Oh, Harrison has some good taste in picking out those fixtures. They fit perfectly in here.”
“He didn’t pick those out. I did. The ones he picked were tacky.”
“Does he know?”
“Nope. He’ll find out when he comes and checks things out.”
“Haha!” She high-fived me. “You still haven’t seen him?”
“No, and it’s been over a week. He wouldn’t even go pick out appliances with me. Now I’m off to furniture shop, and he can’t be bothered with that either. But he said to text him when I get to the bedroom furniture.”
“No worries. It’s probably best, anyway. He’d more than likely pick out ugly stuff. And as for the bedroom, of course, he wants to pick that out himself.” She rolled her eyes.
“I have to run, Athena.”
“Go ahead. I’m just going to chat with Pete for a moment and then check out the rest of the house.”