Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Harrison
I sat there in shock, just like everyone else. Picking up the box that held the ring, I flipped open the lid and stared at it.
“Can I have my ring, please?” Adalyn raised her brow at me.
“Are you sure you want it?” My brows furrowed.
“Mary said it won’t bring me bad luck anymore, and I trust her.”
“Yeah, but you’re carrying my child. It just isn’t about you anymore.”
“Give me the ring, Harrison,” she spoke through gritted teeth.
“Fine. Take it.” I handed her the box.
As soon as everyone left, Adalyn began to clean up.
“Go sit down. I can do this.”
“I can help.”
“You can, but I don’t want you to. Go sit and relax, and as soon as I’m finished, I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
“If you insist.”
I watched her as she walked out of the dining room. Her being here felt right. I should never have let her leave. Now, if I could only get her to stay. I drove her back to the hotel and asked if I could come up.
“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Sure. It is your hotel.” She smiled.
We entered the room, and I immediately poured myself a drink.
“Listen, Adalyn. My grandmother was right when she said you belonged here. I think you do too, and it’s in your best interest and the child's best interest if you move here permanently.”
“Really, Harrison? Because not that long ago, you told me it was in my best interest to go back to Seattle.”
“I was wrong.”
“Why is it different now? Because I’m pregnant with your baby? The heir to the Grant fortune?”
“No. I was wrong then, and I wanted to tell you, but you blocked my number!” I raised my voice.
“A phone isn’t the only way to get a hold of me,” she shouted.
I walked over and grasped her shoulders.
“Calm down. Getting all worked up isn’t good for you or the baby. The truth is, we all want you here. You can start your business, starting with Carina’s penthouse job.”
“I’m moving back to California, Harrison. I was only in Seattle packing my things when Athena called me.”
I was getting fired up, and I needed to calm down. The seriousness in her voice frightened me.
“Okay. Then do this. Just this one thing, and then you can move to wherever the hell you want. I won’t stop you. You have my word.”
“What?”
“Accept Carina’s job for the penthouse. Just this one job. It won’t take you that long. Her penthouse is nowhere near the size of the townhouse. Speaking of the townhouse, you can temporarily move in. I have all those extra bedrooms. You know I’m hardly ever home, and if you’re working with Carina, you won’t be around either. We’ll be like two passing ships in the night.”
“No way. No. No. No.” She shook her head. “That is the worst idea you ever had. Are you crazy?”
“Fine. I can see you’re upset that I even mentioned it. Stay here, then. Please, talk to Carina first.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Text Athena for Carina’s number. I know she has it.”
“I said I’ll think about it.”
“You need to rest, so I’ll get going.”
The need to kiss her goodnight was strong, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to rock the already unsteady boat. I walked to the door and placed my hand on the knob.
“Can you please unblock my number?” I turned to her.
“I’ll think about it.” She smirked.
I climbed into the limo, feeling great about our conversation. Carina’s job offer was perfect fucking timing. I could tell she didn’t want to leave, but she was too stubborn to admit it because she was still mad as hell at me for hurting her. I knew that I'd win her back when Carina’s job was finished. I pulled out my phone and called Athena.
“Hello, brother.”
“I just dropped Adalyn off. I may have convinced her to stay awhile and take Carina’s job offer. Thanks for putting in a good word for her to Carina.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t even know Carina was planning on redoing her penthouse. I thought you put her up to it.”
“No. I had nothing to do with it.”
“Well, Carina was at your housewarming party, and she saw Adalyn’s work so I’m guessing she really wants her penthouse redone.”
“I suppose so. Fingers crossed she stays.”
“If she does, Harrison, it’s your job to ensure she never leaves.”
“Don’t worry about that, sis. I’ve got it covered.”