6. Harrison #2
I exhaled in frustration, then gently pulled her toward a corner and lowered my voice. “Yeah, about this fucking dinner. I want to talk to you about us.”
She swallowed hard. “There is no us, Harrison. You don’t have to feel guilty about regretting that night. I haven’t even thought twice about it.”
Narrowing my eyes at her, I leaned in closer. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Jerking her arm free, she placed her hands on her hips. “What about you? You haven’t even been bringing Noel to story time. Joyce brings her.”
“That’s because you won’t talk to me.”
“So because of that, you’ll give up quality time with your daughter?”
“I take her to story time at the bookstore down the street from me.”
Emma instantly looked hurt.
“I see.”
Sighing, I shook my head. “You hardly even look at me when we have these fucking meetings. I didn’t want Noel to pick up on the awkwardness of things between us.”
“Awkwardness?”
“Yes, Emma. You never gave me a chance to talk to you. To explain why I felt so confused. You bolted, and I know why you took off. You were as scared and confused as I was.”
She opened her mouth, then quickly shut it.
“I didn’t then, and I don’t regret now being with you.”
Her entire body seemed to relax a little. She swallowed and looked away for a moment before turning her attention back to me.
“You’re right. I got scared and reacted the way I did because of how I felt afterward. I’d never experienced those feelings before, and when I saw how conflicted you were, I couldn’t stand the thought of you saying it had been a mistake so I...I ran.”
I nearly sighed in relief. “I feel the same way, felt the same way.”
Her brows rose in question. “Felt?”
Before I had a chance to explain, I heard my name being called.
Glancing over my shoulder, I cursed. What in the hell was she doing here?
“I can’t believe it. I heard there was a big benefit dinner going on tonight and peeked in to see you in here. The rumors are true that you helped plan this. How fun is that!”
Taking a step away from Emma, I turned to face Jessie. “Jessie, it’s good to see you.”
She flashed me a wide grin as she let her eyes roam over my body. She was holding a fur coat and was dressed in a low-cut dress that showed off her breasts, as well as her body. Of course, Jessie couldn’t hold a candle to Emma.
“I was here meeting my father for lunch. Do you have a date for tonight?”
Emma started to walk past, but I reached for her hand. “I do. Jessie, this is Emma Jennings. Emma, this is an old friend of mine, Jessie Night.”
Jessie laughed. “We were more than friends. Dated in high school and grew up together. My father was his father’s best friend.”
Emma nodded and gave Jessie a polite smile.
“You’re going together then?” Jessie asked, looking Emma over with a critical eye.
“We are. We planned the event and we’re dating.”
I could see Emma’s head snap to look at me.
Jessie pouted. “Oh. The good ones always get away. It was good seeing you, though, Harrison. Give all my love to your mother.”
Turning to Emma, she said, “Don’t let him get away. He’s a great catch!”
Forcing a smile, Emma replied, “I’ll try not to.”
Emma and I watched as Jessie strolled back through the room and made her way out.
“Dating?” Emma asked as she turned to face me.
I cupped her face in my hands and did the only thing I could think of doing. I kissed her.
It only took half of a second for Emma to melt against my body while she wrapped her arms around my neck.
When we both pulled back from the kiss, I rested my forehead to hers.
“My head is spinning, Emma. I don’t know up from down, left from right.
My heart feels fuller when you’re around and empty when you’re not.
All I know is I think I’m falling in love with you.
Hell, I might have fallen in love with you the day you tried to have me kicked out of the library. ”
She let out a soft laugh. “Harrison, you’re not falling in love with me. We spent a beautiful night together and–”
I placed my finger to her lips. “Answer me this, have you thought about that night?”
With a nod, she softly replied, “Yes.”
“Do you feel something between us, something more than friendship?”
Her eyes met mine. “Of course, I do. But I know you have Noel, and I know you’re very careful with who you bring in her life, and I know…”
“Do you want to hear what I know?”
“Yes.”
“I know I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.
I know that both scares me and thrills me.
I know I’ve never experienced the feelings I had when I made love to you.
I know I want you to spend more time with me and Noel.
I know I don’t want to let you slip away from me.
I know I made the biggest mistake of my life not going after you that night.
Letting you walk out of that hotel room was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, Em. ”
“Harrison,” she said on an exhale.
“Whether you want to believe me or not, Emma, I am falling for you, and I really want to see where things go between us. For the same reason you ran, I didn’t run after you. I was scared and confused. The one thing I will never be, though, is regretful.”
“Why me?” she asked so quietly I hardly heard her.
Frowning, I bent down and looked into her eyes. “Why not you? You are beautiful both inside and out. I want to be with you, know more about you. I want my daughter to get to know you as well. I want you like I have never wanted anyone else in my entire life, Emma.”
She slowly smiled and I nearly dropped to my knees at her next words. “What time will you be picking me up this evening?”
Laughing, I captured her mouth with mine and kissed her until we both needed air.
“Six,” I replied, breathless.
“I should be going then. I need to get ready.”
I took a step back and reached for her hand. We walked out of the ballroom and toward the elevator. My mother walked up and stood next to us. When the elevator doors opened, she stepped in first as she said, “It’s about time…looks like I got my Christmas wish.”