Chapter 50
50
William
“What the fuck did I do to deserve this?” I stare at the face of the man standing in front of me. “Move. Now.”
Percy Haines stands his ground.
We’re just outside of a bodega. I stopped in to grab a bottle of water. Just as I exited the store, he was in a cab speeding past when it suddenly pulled over so he could lunge out. He ran across the crowded street as though he was going to rip my head off, so I did what any man who has ever thrown a punch or two would do.
I drank half the water, stood the bottle on the sidewalk at my feet, and loosened my tie.
What I imagined would be an all-out brawl in the midday sun has turned into a staring match. I should be grateful for that since it’s been nearly twenty-five years since I threw those punches. I blame that on Susan McGregor and the crush I had on her. Needless to say, some other kid named Billy or Bobby felt the same way about Susan, so we took it to the playground after school.
I landed two punches. B landed one, and we both went home with sand in our shoes and hair, only to discover the next day that Susan was already planning her eventual wedding with some kid a year older than us.
“I need you to help me,” Percy whines as he skims a hand over his sweaty forehead. “I can’t live without Opal.”
That makes two of us, and since I know I’m the better choice for her, I shake my head. “It’s not happening.”
“I messed up,” he admits. “I needed to fuck, and since Opal and I weren’t there yet, I thought … I thought that … that server would want to have another go at me.”
“Do you not remember her name?” I stick a finger in the middle of his chest. “Jesus Christ, Percy, you fucked her, and you don’t have the goddamn decency to remember her name?”
He shrugs.
“It’s Sarah.” I shake my head. “Her name is Sarah.”
“How the fuck would you know her name?” he spits out. “Did you circle back to get some?”
Closing my eyes, I plant a hand on my forehead. “Why is this happening?”
“Why is what happening?” he asks as if he doesn’t know he’s the most annoying man in Manhattan.
“She had a nametag on,” I point out. “Her name is Sarah.”
“Did you see that when you were looking at her tits?” he questions. The grin on his face is sickening. “I don’t blame you. That shirt she was wearing was low cut, so it didn’t take a lot to imagine…”
“Shut up,” I snap, interrupting him. “Shut the hell up.”
He ignores that and keeps talking, “I don’t want to talk about Sarah. I want to talk about Opal. I’ll double your fee if you can get us together.”
No amount of money on this earth would convince me to help him get any woman. Opal is forever off-limits to him because she’s mine. At least for now, she is. “No.”
“No?”
“No,” I repeat, reaching down for the water bottle. I loosen the cap and swallow what’s left of the cool liquid. “That’s not happening.”
“Why the fuck not?” he asks, as if I need a reason to refuse to help him. “She’s single. I’m single. Make it happen.”
“She’s not single,” I blurt out. “She’s involved with someone. It’s someone who cares deeply for her. Besides, you have a hell of a lot of work to do on yourself before you approach another woman. You’re fucking rude. You have zero respect for women, and you need to trim your nose hairs.”
His hand jumps to his nose. “Fuck you.”
I step around him. “Forget Opal.”
He grabs my shoulder. I turn abruptly, knocking his hand away with mine. “Don’t touch me again.”
He holds both hands up as if he’s surrendering. “Sorry. You said she’s not single. Is that real? That’s true?”
“It’s real.” I step back from him. “She’s involved with someone, so move on, Percy. It’s over.”
His gaze trails over my face. “I can’t fucking believe this.”
“Believe it,” I enunciate each syllable.
“Dammit,” he mutters before he turns to walk away. “You fucked up my life, William. You have no idea how badly I needed her to marry me.”
I don’t respond. I watch him walk away, stomping his feet, hoping he’ll take my advice and stay the hell away from the woman I’m falling harder for each day.
* * *
I stroll into the lobby of my building after a shitty day. Some of that had to do with my run-in with Percy. The rest I can contribute to two men who started the day as prospective clients. Neither is someone I’m willing to work with. I’m all for helping men becomebetter versions of themselves so they can be the partners that the women in this city deserve.
The first man I met with heads an investment firm worth billions. He’s under the impression that gives him carte blanche to choose any woman he wants, including his very happily married executive assistant.
I know she’s happily married because he insisted I meet him at his office in the financial district. That’s not something I’m generally comfortable with, but I made an exception because he’s the close friend of a former client of mine.
His executive assistant was my first contact at his office, and while I waited for him to end what she labeled a “ life and death negotiation,” she talked non-stop about her husband. They’ve been married a little less than two years and hope to have a baby soon.
I didn’t push for any of that information. She offered it up willingly, along with dozens of pictures of her husband on her phone.
As soon as I was alone with her boss, he told me he wanted to rail her seven ways to Sunday. I was on my phone seconds later, texting every contact I could think of who may need a competent executive assistant.
By the time I exited his office, I had a list of potential new employers for his assistant. I asked her to walk me out, and she obliged. As we rode the elevator down to the lobby, I casually asked if she knew anyone looking for a job as an executive assistant since I had a few friends in desperate need of some skilled help.
She whispered that she wanted out of her job and thanked me profusely when I emailed her the list of my contacts in search of someone just like her.
With any luck, she’ll be packing her desk up by the end of the week.
My second meeting of the day was just as fucked up. That guy wants me to help him win the heart of a woman he met briefly at a concert three weeks ago. They were both in line waiting to buy a beer. Sparks flew, but no contact information was exchanged.
I’m all for helping star-crossed would-be lovers reconnect, but the thick black wedding band on his left hand was a distraction, and when I inquired about it, he explained that he wasn’t looking to end his marriage. He wants, and I’m quoting him, “ the concert cutie to be his side piece of ass .”
I walked away from him without a glance back.
“Hey, Mr. Knight,” Glenn, one of the doormen in my building, greets me. “I have a surprise for you.”
The last time he said that to me, Bauer was here with a duffel bag, looking for a place to crash. If we’re repeating that tonight, I’ll give him full rein of the penthouse while I trek to Brooklyn. I want to be alone. I need to think about how I’ll persuade Opal to take our relationship from casual to committed.
After the day I had, I realize what a fucking rare jewel she is, and I know I’m the man for her. I feel it in my soul.
I glance past Glenn toward the elevators, and spot my surprise.
Aleena, pushing a double stroller, waves to me. “Hey, boss. Guess who’s moving into your building?”
Shaking my head, I sprint toward her. “What?”
By the time I reach her, she’s got one of her eighteen month old twins in her arms. I can tell instantly that it’s Lena because the little sweetheart is reaching for me. She always wants me to pick her up whenever I’m within ten feet of her.
I take her in my arms. When I glance inside the stroller, I see her sister, Jenny, passed out cold. “She’s sleeping again?”
Lena nods as her mom answers, “We just toured our new apartment for the second time today. All that running from room to room was too much for her.”
I kiss Lena softly on the cheek.
“We’ll only move in if you’re okay with it,” Aleena says. “You know we’ve been looking for a bigger place, and when Joel saw the listing for the four bedroom on the sixth floor, it seemed perfect.”
“It is perfect,” I whisper because the thought of this family in the same building as me brings me nothing but joy.
We’re not officially related, but I consider myself the twins’ uncle. I know Aleena feels the same. Her husband, Joel, does too.
“Really?” Her face brightens. “You’re okay with it?”
“I’m more than okay with it,” I tell her. “If you need help making it happen, let me know.”
“I will.” She moves to hug me. “Joel had to go back to his office, but he sent his driver to pick us up since he’s got the car seats in his SUV. I could use a little help loading the girls up when he gets here. Unless you have plans.”
“I’ve got nothing on the go but helping you three,” I say. “It’ll be good to have you close, Aleena.”
“I feel the same way.” She smiles. “My girls get to grow up close to their Uncle William. I can’t think of anything better than that.”