Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Grayson
I hated the word “girlfriend.” It was enough to make my skin crawl. But I had no choice. It had to be done. There were too many expectations from women who had the title. They wanted gifts, cute little love notes, or text messages all the damn time. When you had a bad day and just wanted to be alone, they wanted answers as towhy, and when you didn’t give them, they accused you of shutting them out. They wanted apologies first even though they were in the wrong because they were always right about everything. If you dare look at another woman or even speak to her, they’re convinced you’re cheating. They think we’re mind readers, and when we fail at doing something they thought we should have done, they become psychotic. They think they should be the number one priority and nothing else in the world should matter. Been there. Done that. Hence, the reason I stay as far away from relationships as possible. I can stop trying so hard now that Harper thinks we’re in a committed relationship. But I had to be careful and keep things working as smoothly as possible between us until I got my company.
We left the museum, and because it was a nice day outside, she asked if we could go to Central Park for a while.
“Is there any specific area of Central Park you want to go to?” I asked her.
“Bethesda Terrace.”
We walked hand in hand through the entrance of the park and headed to Bethesda Terrace.
“Is there a reason you wanted to come here?” I asked as we approached it.
“This is why I moved to New York,” she said.
“You moved to New York because of this place?”
“Yes. My parents loved New York City. Once a year, we’d vacation here for a week. This is where my father asked my mother to marry him, right on these steps. He got down on one knee, told her how much he loved her, and then asked for her hand in marriage. We’d come to visit here every year. My mother’s face would always light up when she told me the story. After they passed away, I knew the only place I could ever be close to them again was here. Whenever I need to think or miss them, I come here for a while. That’s why I attended NYU and never left New York after I graduated.”
“I’m sorry, Harper.” I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the side of her head.
“It’s my special place, and I want to share it with my child and tell him or her all about their grandparents.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just held her for a moment.
It was six o’clock on the dot when we walked through the doors of Eleven Madison Park. Julius hadn’t arrived yet, so I told the hostess to bring him to our table when he arrived.
“Hey, bro.” He smiled.
I got up from my chair and gave him a light hug.
“Julius, I’d like you to meet Harper Holland. Harper, this is my best friend, Julius.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harper.” He smiled as he extended his hand.
“It’s great to meet you, Julius.”
He took his seat. While we both ordered bourbons, Harper ordered water and a decaf coffee.
“So, what is it you do?” she asked him.
I could sense the nervousness inside him.
“I’m a stockbroker for a capital management company on Wall Street.”
“Wow. That must be an exciting job.” She smiled.
“It has its perks. So, Grayson tells me you're pregnant, and you used a sperm donor.”
I kicked him under the table. I couldn’t believe he had said that.
“Yes, I am, and yes, I did.” Her lips formed a small smile.
“Well, I think the decision you made was a great one. I truly admire a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it.” He grinned.
“Thank you, Julius. I appreciate that.”
She lay in my arms as her head rested on my chest. We’d just had sex, and we were both tired.
“Thank you for today. I had a great time,” she softly spoke.
“You’re welcome. I have some things I need to take care of tomorrow, so I’ll take you home after breakfast. Think about where you would like to go.”
She lifted her head from my chest and looked at me with a wide grin across her face.
“How about Alice’s Tea Cup? Their Wonderland Waffles are the best.”
“I can honestly say I’ve never eaten there. But if that’s where you want to go, then we’ll go.” I tapped her nose.
The next morning after we got dressed, we went to Alice’s Tea Cup. The line to get in was long, and there was over an hour's wait.
“This is a bitridiculous,” I said.
“Maybe we should have made reservations last night. Oh well. We can go somewhere else.” A look of disappointment filled her face.
“You really want those waffles?”
“I do, but we’re not waiting an hour. We can make reservations and come back another time.”
“No. Hold on.” I held up my finger.
Walking up to the hostess desk, I pulled a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and folded it up.
“Excuse me. Are you sure the wait is an hour?” I discreetly slipped the young brunette the bill.
She looked at it and then up at me.
“Let me check. I’ll be right back.”
After a moment, she returned with a smile on her face.
“The table you reserved is ready. Follow me.”
I called over to Harper, who was standing by the door.
“I got us a table.” I winked at her as we followed the hostess.
“How?”
“I slipped her some cash in exchangefor a table. You want waffles from here, and you will have them.”
“You’re so sweet, Grayson. Thank you. Also, my baby thanks you.” She smiled.
I swallowed hard as I picked up the menu and looked it over.
“It’s very whimsical in here,” I said as I looked around.
There were families all around us. Parents with small children. Some behaved and others not so much. It was noisy. A little too noisy for my taste. I’d be fine if I never had to come back here again, even though I did enjoy the smoked salmon benedict. I’d kept waiting for Harper to ask me what my plans were for today, but she never did.
After breakfast, I took her back to her apartment. Setting her bag down on the floor, I wrapped my arms around her.
“Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the office.”
“Thanks. You too.”
I brushed my lips against hers and kissed her goodbye.