Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Harper
When I arrived home from work, I cooked dinner and started a rough draft of the high rise. This building was for the elite, the wealthy—the ones who wouldn’t flinch at spending twenty million plus dollars to live there. The pressure was on because I’d never designed anything worth this much. A project like this was meant to be in the hands of a high-powered architectural firm, not in the hands of someone like me. I couldn’t stop thinking about Grayson and the lunch we had today. The way his thumb gently wiped away the sauerkraut from my mouth was unnerving, and every inch of my body trembled. As I was trying to concentrate on designing the building, my phone dinged with a text message from him, and instantly a smile crossed my lips.
“Hey there. What are you doing?”
“Hi. I’ve just started the design for the high-rise. What are you doing?”
“I just got home. I had dinner with my grandfather. He wants to meet you.”
“He does?”
“He’s leaving on a trip tomorrow, but I told him we’d have dinner when he returns to New York. Is that okay with you?”
“Sure. I’d love to meet him. Why does he want to meet me?”
“Our entire dinner conversation may have revolved around you. I told him what an amazing woman you are.”
I could feel the heat rising as I read his message.
“Thank you, Grayson.”
“You’re welcome, and it’s true. I think you are amazing, and I was hoping we could have dinner together tomorrow night. That’s if you don’t already have plans.”
“I’d love to have dinner with you. How about we have dinner here? I’ll whip us up something delicious. Say around six thirty?”
“It’s a date. You won’t be in the office tomorrow, right?”
“No. Not tomorrow. I’m spending the day here working on the building.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it.”
“Me too.”
“You’ve had a long day and must be tired. Relax for the rest of the evening. The design can wait until tomorrow. Sweet dreams.”
“Good night, Grayson.”
Grayson was right. I was tired, and the design could wait until tomorrow when I was refreshed from a good night’s sleep. With a wide grin, I set my phone down and got up to make a cup of tea. Once the hot water was ready, I poured it into a mug and slipped in a tea bag. Taking it over to the couch, I pulled up the notes app on my phone and started planning our dinner for tomorrow night. But first, I had a question for Grayson.
“Do you like Italian food?”
“I love Italian food.”
“Good. Then I shall cook Italian tomorrow night.”
“You already have my mouth watering.”
“You may not like it.”
“I’ll love it.”
“We’ll see. Good night.”
“Good night.”
The next morning, I got up early and headed to the market to pick up everything I needed for dinner before starting my work day. I bought more than I could carry, and as soon as Sammy saw me, he opened the door and grabbed a couple of bags from me.
“Here, let me help you with these,” he spoke.
“Thanks, Sammy. I honestly didn’t intend to get this much.”
He followed me in the elevator and up to my apartment. After unlocking the door, we stepped inside and set the bags in the kitchen. I reached into my wallet and pulled out some cash for a tip.
“No, Harper. I can’t accept that.”
“Oh, come on, Sammy. I wouldn’thave made it up here if it wasn’t for your help.”
“It was my pleasure to help you.” A smile crossed his lips.
I didn’t know why, but I had this overwhelming need to tell him I was pregnant. I didn’t want him to be shocked when I started showing.
“Thank you again. I think there’s something you should know about me since we talk just about every day.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“I’m pregnant, the father isn’t in the picture, and I used a sperm donor. Don’t judge.”
“Congratulations, Harper. What exciting news. I would never judge. I think it’s great.”
“Thanks. I just wanted to tell you, so you’re not shocked when I begin toshow.”
“I’m happy you told me. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He smiled as he gave me a nod.
I liked Sammy. He was an older gentleman in his late fifties who stood about six feet tall with short salt-and-pepper hair. He was very kind, and something about him made me feel comfortable. In a strange way, he reminded me of my father. Maybe it was his broad shoulders and the way he carried himself.
I worked on the design for the high rise all day, talked to Laurel and Charlotte, and then it was time to prep dinner. I wanted nothing more than for tonight to be perfect—a perfect dinner with a perfect man.