Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Grayson
I met Julius for lunch at the Gray Goose in Soho. I didn’t like how Harper left this morning without telling me she was leaving. I didn’t like her being alone when she wasn’t feeling well, and her not wanting me to come over tonight bothered me.
“I think something is going on with Harper,” I spoke to Julius as I picked up my drink.
“What do you mean?”
“I think she’s pissed at me.”
Julius let out a chuckle. “Why? What did you do?”
“Nothing. I did nothing. Everything was fine up until last night when we were lying in bed, and she asked me to go clothes shopping with her on Saturday. I told her to ask Charlotte and Laurel because I thought that would be a great girl’s day out. Then she reminded me of her ultrasound appointment on Monday, which I told her I couldn’t go.”
“And why can’t you go?” His brow raised.
“For one, I don’t want to go; second, I have a contractor’s meeting for the high rise.”
“A meeting you purposely scheduledso you had an excuse as towhy you couldn’t go with her.” He pursed his lips.
“Perhaps.” I sipped my drink. “She told me for the first time last night that she loved me.”
“Oh boy. I was waiting for that. And you said?”
“Me too. When I got up this morning, she was gone. She said she wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go home. I just spoke to her right before I got here and offered to bring her some soup tonight, and she said she likes to be left alone when she’s sick.”
“Uh-oh. You’re in trouble, bro.” He pointed at me. “If you’re going to continue with your plan, you better hurry upand make things right.”
“What are you talking about?”
“She’s pissed off at you. Not only did you turn her down when she asked you to go shopping, but you also couldn’t go to the ultrasound, and you didn’t tell her you loved her back. When women start thinking about shit, watch out.”
“I told her. I said, ‘Me too’. What’s wrong with that?”
He sighed as he rolled his eyes at me.
“Are you kidding me? ‘me too’ doesn’t mean shit. It’s not the same thing. It’s like you’re agreeing with her thatyou love yourself.”
“See.” I pointed at him. “This is the shit I don’t need in my life.”
“Well, you’re stuck now until you get your company. I would advise you to take control of the situation ASAP. It’s supposed to be a gorgeous day on Sunday. Surprise her with a picnic lunch in Central Park. Get those little finger sandwiches, a couple of different salads, cheeses and crackers, and desserts. I’d say a bottle of wine, but she can’t drink, so water will do. But make it the sparkling kind.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“No. I’m not. Trust me. I’ve done it with Yasmin. Works like a charm. You pull off a romantic afternoon picnic, all will be forgiven and forgotten.”
I sighed as I finished my drink and asked the waitress for another one.
When I returned to the office, I asked Christine to step inside.
“Have a seat.” I gestured. “I need you to do me a huge favor.”
“Of course. What do you need?” she asked.
“I need you to go to the store. I don’t care where you go, but I need a large picnic basket and a blanket.”
“Okay. May I ask why?”
“I’m taking Harper on a picnic Sunday. Also, where can I get little finger sandwiches and picnic type of food?”
“There’s this cute little French bakery in Greenwich village that does stuff like that. I can go there today and place an order. I think they deliver.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Christine. Thank you. I’ll have Damon pick you up and take you.”
A couple of hours later, Christine walked into my office.
“The basket and blanket are with Damon. I got them both at Pottery Barn. As for lunch, I placed an order with the bakery, and they will deliver it to your home on Sunday at eleven a.m.”
“Excellent. Thank you, Christine. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled.
I looked at my watch, and it was six o’clock. Picking up my phone from my desk, I gave Harper a call with the hopes she’d changed her mind about me coming over.
“Hello.”
“Hi, sweetheart. How are you feeling? Any better?”
“A little bit.”
“Enough for me to bring you some dinner?”
“I already ate, and I’m exhausted, so I’m going to bed early.”
“All right. I’ll miss you tonight.”
“Me too. Talk to you soon.”
She ended the call before I could even say goodbye. What the fuck? I didn’t need this shit. Julius had plans tonight with his parents, so I called a couple other friends of mine and met them at Randolph’s bar and lounge at the Warwick Hotel. As we were sitting on the barstools drinking and talking, this beautiful woman with long fiery red hair sat down next to me.
“Hi, handsome. How about buying me a drink?” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
“I’d love to.” I smiled.
We talked for a while, and I could tell she wanted to fuck me.
“Listen, I’m leaving New York tomorrow to fly back home. I have a room upstairs if you’d like to come up and have a nightcap.” She flirtatiously smiled.
“Let’s go.”
I said goodbye to my friends, placed my hand on the small of her back, and took the elevator up to her room. The moment we stepped inside, we kissed. My hands roamed up and down her body, and as she reached for the button on my pants, I grabbed her hands and stopped her.
“I’m sorry. I can’t do this,” I said.
“Why? Are you married?”
“No. I’m not. I just can’t.” I walked out of her room and headed home.
The only thing I saw in my mind when I kissed that woman was Harper. Shit. Why the fuck did I feel so guilty?