Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Harper
I awoke the next morning by my phone dinging with a text message from Laurel.
“I hope you’re up. I’m on my way over for a bit before I have to go to work. See you soon. I’ll be pounding on your door if you're not up.”
Rolling my eyes, I messaged her back.
“I’m up. I’ll unlock the door. Just walk in.”
I was brushing my teeth when my phone dinged with a text message from Grayson. Instantly, a smile crossed my face.
“Good morning. I can’t wait to see you tonight. Have a good day.”
“Good morning. I can’t wait to see you either. I’ll have a good day only if you do.”
“I’ll have a perfect day knowing I’ll see you later.” He sent the winking emoji.
“Me too.” I replied with a blushing smiley emoji.
I heard the door open, so I slipped on my robe and walked out of the bedroom.
“I bring gifts.” Laurel grinned as she held up a carrier containing two coffees and a brown bag from my favorite breakfast place: The Broken Yolk.
“I hope there’s a Jack’s scramble bowl in that bag.”
“Of course, there is. I know it’s your favorite.”
I grabbed the coffee cup with a “D” on it for decaf, grabbed two forks from the drawer and two napkins, and took them over to the table.
“Thanks, Laurel. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie. Yesterday was rough, and I wanted to give you some space. You know Charlotte means well. She’s just worried about you, especially now with the baby coming.”
“She doesn’t need to worry about me. What is your feeling about everything?”
“I’m happy if you’re happy. I dothink things are moving rather quickly, but for some couples, it happens.”
“He sent me a text message this morning telling me he can’t wait to see me tonight. Do you know how that makes me feel? After Kevin, I questioned everything about myself. What I did or didn’t do. What I could have done differently but didn’t.”
“Harper, Kevin was just a straight-up asshole. There was nothing you did besides love him. He broke up with you out of his own insecurities. It had nothing to do with you.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I am right. I know guys like him. I am the woman version of him.” She laughed.
“True.” I laughed with her.
“Just take a piece of advice, or not. It’s up to you. Don’t rush things with Grayson. I know he pays attention to you, buys you beautiful flowers and muffins, and all that’s great, but don’t forget who you are as a person. You’re one of the strongest women I know, and you’ve been through so much since your parents died. Don’t lose that strength and become dependent on a man who may or may not ultimately stick around for the long haul. Everything is rainbows and fairy dust right now. It always is in the beginning, and you know it. As soon as the red flags pop up, take a step back and really think about things. Don’t wait until all the flags are out and trying to wave some sense into you.”
“I know.” I sighed.
I’d spent the day working and getting ready for when Grayson came to pick me up. I packed a small overnight bag with a piece of sexy lingerie I wanted to wear before I couldn’t fit in it anymore. I knew tonight would be perfect because any time I’d spent with him was.
“I’ll be at your apartment in about ten minutes. Are you ready?”
“I am. See you soon.”
I smiled as I threw my phone in my purse and set my bag on the table. Running into the bedroom, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror and gave my hair one last brush before I heard a knock at the door. He was right on time.
“Hi.” I grinned as I saw him standing there looking as sexy as ever in his dark gray designer suit.
“Hi.” He leaned in and kissed my lips.
“Come in. I have to grab my purse and my bag.”
“I’ll grab your bag. Is that it over on the table?” he asked.
“Yes.”
While he took my bag, I grabbed my purse and got out my keys to lock the door. My heart was racing as we took the elevator down to the lobby. I couldn’t wait to spend the night with him.
“Have a good evening, you two.” Sammy smiled as he tipped his hat.
“Thank you, Sammy. We will.” Grayson smiled.
I turned around and gave Sammy a small smile and wave. He returned my gesture with a wink.
“Hello, Damon,” I spoke as he held the door open for me.
“Hello, Harper. How are you this evening?”
“I’m great. How are you?”
“No complaints.”
I climbed into the Escalade, and Grayson slid in beside me, grabbing my hand and holding it.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“It was good. I got a lot of work done. How was yours?”
“Not bad, but certainlymuch better now.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
Damon pulled up in front of a tall brown building in Lenox Hill. Grayson opened the door, slid out first, extended his hand, and helped me down. The best part was that he didn’t let go while he held my bag in his other hand.
“Good evening, Mr. Grayson.”
“Good evening, Charles. This is Miss Harper Holland. She’s to be put on the list.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Holland. I’ll add her now.”
“What list?” I asked as we walked to the elevator.
“My guest list of people who are allowed to come right up to my penthouse.”
“Why Mr. Rhodes, I’m feeling a little special right now.” I grinned.
“Good, because you are special.” He leaned in and kissed my lips as the elevator doors closed.
As soon as the doors opened, I was greeted by a magnificent foyer with white marble flooring and a beautiful oval curved staircase.
“Wow, Grayson. This is magnificent.”
“Thanks. I’ll give you a tour. We can start upstairs since I’m taking your bag up.”
I slowly walked up the stairs,noting the gray-painted walls and the dark cherry wood floors that greeted me. The hallway was long, with guest bedrooms and bathrooms on each side. Down at the end of the hallway was the master bedroom that sat behind two large wood-carved white double doors.
“Wow. Look at all these windows.” I smiled. “This view must be breathtaking at night.”
“It is. You’ll be able to see it for yourself later.”
I ran my hand along the gray down comforter that made up his bed. Across from it were a large fireplace and a massive TV that hung on the wall. A large cherry wood dresser graced the other wall with an armoire that sat in the opposite corner. The curtains that housed the tall floor-to-ceiling windows were the same gray as the comforter. The room was decorated to perfection. Even the artwork that hung on the walls was of taste.
“Are you an interior decorator in your spare time?” I asked.
He let out a chuckle. “No. I hired an interior designer named Adalyn Grant. Her husband, Harrison, is a friend of mine. I bought this place in a foreclosure auction for practically nothing, but it desperately needed a remodel. So, I brought Adalyn in, and she worked her magic.”
“I haven’t seen the rest of the house yet, but from what I can already tell, she’s fantastic at her job.”
“She’s actually the best. Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the place.” He held out his hand.
Placing my hand in his, he led me down the stairs and showed me the media room, which housed two sectionals, a pool table, and a large TV that took up most of the wall. When we entered the living room, my eyes first noticed the grand piano in the corner. It just wasn’t any old piano.
“Is this a Steinway Grand?” I asked as I walked over to it and ran my hand over the satin ebony finish.
“It is.” He smiled.
“These cost like fifty thousand dollars.”
“Yes. They do.”
“Do you play?” I asked as I wouldn’t take my eyes off it.
“I do play. You must know something about pianos yourself if you recognized it was a Steinway right away.”
“My mother started teaching me the piano when I was about four years old. Actually, I don’t think I was even four yet. Her grandmother was a concert pianist who traveled the world. She taught her how to play. She told me her dream was to buy a Steinway Grand, and one day she’d have one where we both could sit and play. After she died, and they sent meto live with my aunt, I was lucky enough that she had a piano for me to play. But I could only play it when she wasn’t home. She'd scream at me for an hour if I even dared to try toplay it when she was sleeping or hungover.”
“Did she play?”
“No. The house came with the piano, and she liked to use it as a place to throw her clothes. She never wanted to learn to play. Who taught you?” I asked.
“My grandmother. She started teaching me when I was young, just like your mother taught you. What cooking is to you is what the piano is to me.”
“Wow. I can’t believe it.”
“Sit down and play something for me.”
“Oh, my God. No, Grayson, I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.” He placed his hands on my hips and made me sit down on the black tufted bench. “This is your chance to play on a Steinway Grand. Are you really going to turn it down?”
“I guess not.” I bit down on my bottom lip as I looked up at him.
I stretched out my fingers and took in a deep breath as I softly stroked a couple of keys to get a feel for it and to listen to the magnificent sound it made. I started to play Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Before I knew it, I was lost in the music. I played as if I had only played yesterday. Grayson stood there with his arm on the edge of the piano, smiling as I unleashed my talent. I finished the song, and he slowly clapped his hands.
“Are you sure you’re not a professional in disguise?” He smiled. “I’m pretty sure you inherited your grandmother’s talent. That was phenomenal, Harper.”
“Thank you. God, it felt so good to play again. It’s been a long time. Your turn. I want to hear you play.” I smiled.
“I’ll play something for you later. Dinner should arrive any minute.”