Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Harper
I awoke the next morning to a text message from Grayson that he’d sent at midnight.
“I’m sure you’re sleeping, so I just wanted to say goodnight, and I hope you’re feeling better. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, sweetheart.”
I was still mad and hurt, so I didn’t bother messaging him back. I got up, showered, and put on some makeup before Laurel came over. Charlotte would meet up with us after she was done with her client.
“Let’s stop at Starbucks for a coffee before we shop,” she said. “What’s wrong? I can tell you’re off.”
I sighed as we walked into Starbucks and stood in line.
“It’s Grayson.”
“What’s going on? Are you two fighting?”
“Tell me if I’m being hormonal or if I have a right to be upset.”
We ordered our coffee and waited to the side for them to be made.
“I asked him to go with me today, and he suggested I call you and Charlotte. Then I reminded him about the ultrasound appointment on Monday, which I told him about two weeks ago, and he said he’d go. But now, he forgot and scheduled this big contractor meeting.”
“Wow. Really? I’m sorry, Harper.”
They called our names for our coffee, so we grabbed them, walked out, and headed down the street.
“If you want my honest opinion, I don’t think you’re being hormonal. You’re a woman in love and want your boyfriend at the ultrasound with you. It’s perfectly natural to be angry with him now that he can’t go, even though he said he would. It’s an important time, you know?”
“There’s something else. I told him I loved him for the first time the other night.”
“Wow. What did he say?” She smiled.
“He said, ‘me too.’”
“What?” Her face twisted. “He didn’t say I love you back.”
“No. So I got up the next morning and went home before he woke up. I told him I wasn’t feeling well, and I didn’t see him at all yesterday. He wanted to come and bring me dinner after work, and I told him no. I’m really mad at him, Laurel, and I don’t want to see him right now.”
She hooked her arm around me. “I don’t blame you one bit. But you will have to talk to him eventually.”
“I know.” I sighed.
“Cheer up, buttercup. We have some serious shopping to do.” She grinned.
As I was in the fitting room trying on some clothes, my phone rang, and Grayson was calling.
“Hello.”
“Where are you? I’m at your building, and Sammy said you and Laurel left. I thought you were sick.”
“I’m feeling a little better today, and I told you I needed to go shopping. Remember? You told me to ask them because you didn’t want to go.”
“Sweetheart, it’s not that I didn’t want to go. I just thought it would be fun for you girls to do it together. And you didn’t take my card I left on the dresser for you the other night.”
“I don’t need it. I can buy my own clothes. Thank you.”
“Why didn’t you text me back this morning?”
“I woke up late and had to hurry and get ready. I was going to text you later.”
“Speaking of later, how about doing something tonight?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m already gettingtired, and I’ll probably sleep when I get home.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, I have plans for us tomorrow, so I’ll be coming by to pick you up at noon.”
“What plans?”
“It’s a surprise. One I think you’lllike very much.”
“Okay. I have to finish trying on these clothes. I’ll talk to you later.”
I ended the call before he could say another word. Hopefully, I’d be over my anger with him by tomorrow. But I wasn’t so sure. Charlotte met up with us, and I explained everything that was happening to her. I could see the disapproval on her face because she still didn’t fully trust Grayson.
After we finished shopping, I headed home, and Sammy helped me with my bags.
“Wow. It looks like you went on quite a shopping spree.”
“I needed all new clothes, Sammy. This baby is growing every day.” I placed my hand on my belly.
“I can see that. Mr. Rhodes stopped by earlier and was looking for you.”
“I know.” I rolled my eyes. “We’re having a little spat right now. Or actually, I’m a little irritated with him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you, Sammy. You just might be sorry you said that.” I smirked.
“Somehow, I doubt that, Harper. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
I hadn’t heard from Grayson except earlier in the afternoon when he called me. I sat on the couch, turned on the Gilmore Girls, and wondered what he was doing. Hell, I didn’t care. Okay, maybe I did, but I wasn’t about to text him and ask. He said he’d pick me up tomorrow, so I’d wait to talk to him then. What surprise could he have planned for me?
Grayson
I had Julius over for a guy’s night since Harper still didn’t want to see me. We ordered a couple pizzas, drank, and played a few games of pool.
“I’m taking Harper on a picnic tomorrow in Central Park.”
“Good boy.” He grinned. “She’s still mad?”
“I think so. I wanted to do something with her tonight, and she turned me down. See, this is the reason whyI don’t get into relationships. All of this is such bullshit.”
“But your relationship isn’t real. So why do you care if she’s mad at you?”
“Because. What if she breaks up with me, and then I don’t get my company?”
“She isn’t going to break up with you. She loves you. She’s just upset. She’ll get over it after the picnic tomorrow. Then you can go on pretending to care about her and upsetting the balance of her life once you get the company and dump her.” His eye narrowed at me.
“Thanks, bro. I appreciate your honesty.” I glared at him.
“Just remember, she’s the mother of your child.”
“Knock it off, Julius.” I hit the eight ball in the left corner pocket.
After Julius left, I checked my phone to see if Harper had texted me. She didn’t. What the fuck. I sighed as I poured myself another drink and took it out to the terrace, where I stared out into the brightly lit city. Damn it. I needed to make sure she was okay, so I sent her a text message even though it was late, and I was sure she was sleeping.
“Hi sweetheart. I was checking in to see how you’re doing?”
I stared at my phone and impatiently waited for the three dots to appear. Nothing.
“You must be asleep. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I miss you.”
Hopefully, seeing those messages when she wakes up will put her in a better mood.