Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Adalyn
I really didn’t want to go tonight for one reason and one reason only: Harrison Grant. But there was no saying no to Mary. The townhouse was almost complete; soon, it would be time for me to return to Seattle. I’d grown fond of New York, and a part of me wanted to stay. But I knew I couldn’t because of him. It would be too hard. I liked him. Why? Because I knew underneath that hard-core exterior was a man capable of great love. I felt it every time he made love to me, and I missed it.
I slipped into a form-fitting, crème colored cocktail dress with flared sleeves that stopped a couple of inches above my knee. After slipping on my matching heels, which I prayed wouldn’t hurt my ankle, I grabbed my clutch and climbed into the Uber waiting at the curb.
“Oh my gosh, you look gorgeous!” Athena said as she hugged me. “Grandmother told me you were coming and said I could bring Pete.”
“Hey, Pete.” I grinned.
“You look great, Adalyn.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Did the two of you just get here?”
“Yes. So perfect timing.” She smiled. “Does Harrison know you’re coming?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well then, surprise!”
We walked into the restaurant and over to the table where the Grant family was waiting. The look on Harrison’s face when he saw me was not a pleasant one. He had done everything in his power to avoid seeing me the past week; now, it was twice in one day.
“Adalyn, darling.” Mary smiled.
“Hello, Mary.” I walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
“I’m so happy you could join us, dear. Bradley, this is Adalyn Banks, the woman I was telling you about. She’s the one who found my precious ring.”
“Adalyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled as he kissed my cheek. “My mother has spoken highly of you.”
“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Grant.”
“This is my girlfriend, Jenna.”
“Nice to meet you.” She extended her perfectly manicured hand.
Mr. Grant was a very handsome older man. I could see where Harrison got his looks from. I took the only open seat next to Harrison.
“You don’t look happy to see me,” I whispered.
“It’s not that. I’m just a little shocked. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I couldn’t very well say no to your grandmother. She insisted.”
“So, Adalyn, my mother tells me you’re Harrison’s interior designer for the townhouse.”
“Oh my God, Daddy. You should see the place. It was so dreadful before, but now that Adalyn got in there, and Pete,” she rubbed his arm, “it’s amazing.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I saw the pictures when Harrison first bought it. Harrison, what do you think?”
“About what?” he asked as he took a drink of his scotch.
“Your townhouse?”
“Oh. The last time I saw it, it was all torn up.”
“What? Why haven’t you been there?”
“I’ve been busy, Dad.”
“Ah, yes, with the hotel,” he sighed.
I ordered a glass of white wine, and we all placed our dinner orders. Pete was sitting on the other side of Harrison, and the two of them began talking. I could see that pleased Athena.
“Adalyn, I can’t thank you enough for returning my mother’s ring to her. I remember the day she lost it. It devastated her.”
“It was my pleasure.” I smiled.
“Will you be heading back to Seattle once Harrison’s townhouse is complete?” he asked.
“Yes. I need to get home.”
“To what?” Bradly asked. “From what I understand, you lost everything there.”
“My best friend is there.”
“You have friends here now. If this townhouse is as amazing as my daughter makes it out to be, you can set down roots here in New York and freelance as an interior designer for the rich and elite. Knowing that you’ve done Harrison’s home, people will knock down your door for your services.”
“Dad, that’s enough!” Harrison spoke with irritation.
My heart started racing, and I began to break out in a sweat. He wanted me to leave, and I had no choice but to hold back the tears that filled my eyes.
“I need to use the ladies’ room.” I forced a smile. “Excuse me.”
“I do too,” Athena said as she followed me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked as we stepped into the bathroom.
“Because my brother is an insensitive asshole?”
“He’s just being him. It’s fine.”
“I don’t want you to go back to Seattle. Stay. Do what my father said. Oh my God, you could be the decorator for the new hotel!”
“I have to go back, Athena. I can’t stay in New York.”
“Remember what Lenoir said about forks in the road and your strength being put to the test? That fork is Harrison. You can change him, Adalyn.”
“You can’t change somebody who doesn’t want to change themselves.”
“Oh hey,” Jenna smiled as she walked in. “I love your dress, Adalyn.”
“Thanks, Jenna. How old are you, by the way?”
“Thirty.” She grinned. “I know what you’re thinking. I’m way too young for Bradley. But I love that man. His mother thinks I’m a gold-digging whore, but I’d love him even if he were poor. Our hearts belong together.” She went into the stall, and Athena looked at me and stuck her finger down her throat. I couldn’t help but smile.
We walked back to the table, and the waitress brought me another glass of white wine when I sat down.
“I ordered you another one,” Harrison said.
“Thanks.”
“When is the furniture coming?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’ll start the packing process. I can’t wait to move in.”