Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Harrison
Seven a.m., I’ll wait until then, and not a minute later. Delaney needs her rest, but if I don’t see her soon, I’m going to lose what little remains of my mind after a sleepless night on the coattails of my argument with Delaney.
I glance down at my watch. How is it only six forty-one a.m.? It feels like forever since I last checked the time, but it’s only been three minutes.
I startle when my doorbell rings. Whoever’s on my front porch will have to deal with me leaving here in nineteen minutes and not a second later.
When I get to the door and pull it open, the woman I love stands in front of me. She’s beautiful, but her puffy, red eyes betray that she’s been crying. I want to pull her into my arms, but I’m not sure if that’s okay. I misplayed everything so badly yesterday that I’m hesitant to move or speak.
She clears her throat. “Hi… I um… I’m sor—”
Fuck it. I reach for her and pull her into my embrace. She practically melts into me, and I can’t hold her tight enough.
“I’m so sorry,” I speak the words into her hair, not willing to pull back from her even an inch. “You were right. I was arrogant at my office yesterday. I promise, though, that I was only trying to take care of you when I raised your salary. I’ve fixed it, by the way.”
“Can we table talking about it right now? Maybe not even today. I know we need to, but can it wait?”
“Sure,” I whisper. I kiss the top of her head. “I love you, Bets. I hope you know I’d never hurt you on purpose.”
“I love you, too.”
Two hours later, we walk into work together. My morning schedule is pretty light, but Henry and I have to run to Elladine in the afternoon to meet with a potential client.
I keep the privacy blinds on the glass wall at the front of my office open, so I can see Delaney’s desk without hovering. However, I do that, too, only not as much as I would if I didn’t have her in my line of vision all day.
I peek at her often, and each time I find an excuse to go out and check on Delaney, she’s all right. Quiet, though. Holden must’ve noticed because he’s been at her desk a few times already today, and it doesn’t even annoy me. I assume he’s trying to make her laugh or smile, and that’s all I want.
I pick up the phone and call Mark Whittaker’s office. After a few transfers, I get him.
“Hey, Harrison, to what do I owe this pleasure?” he chuckles. He knows damn well why I’m calling.
“Hi, Mark. I wanted to check on the progress of—”
“Yes, I know. You want to know the status of all the inspections of the new building. Like every other time you’ve called for the last two weeks.”
“Hey, we’ve already delayed the grand opening by a few weeks to make this happen. Our guys have held up their end by getting the construction done in record time.”
“Why is this so important to you?” he asks.
I hesitate. Screw it.
“Because it matters to someone I care about. Plus, it’s the right thing to do. The new memory care unit should be the best in dementia care this side of the country.”
“Okay. I’ll try to up the sense of urgency. Oh, and I emailed the NDA over for the guy I added on my end.” He laughs out loud. “You’re the only person I know who has ever required an NDA for work on a nursing home.”
“It’s working, though, right? No one has leaked details about the changes in design.”
“No, you’re correct. They’re scared to, with the threats you built into that thing. Hey, listen, I gotta run. My hotcake is texting me.”
I shouldn’t ask. It’s not wise.
“Who is your hotcake?” The words slip out of my mouth unwelcome.
“Ruthie, of course.” I cringe at the thought of them having pet names. “I still owe you big for vouching for me and convincing her to call me a few weeks ago. Even if it was to butter me up about this project.”
“Okay, I’ve heard enough.”
“Oh, wow. She’s sure not shy. Hey, what do you younger people consider sexting? I think that’s what—”
“Goodbye!”
Tempted to throw the phone across the room to get it away from me, I settle for aggressively and repeatedly tapping my index finger on the button to end the call. The last thing I need is to hear about Ruthie sexting someone I have to continue working with, or Ruthie sexting anyone.
I need to leave in a few minutes, and I received an email from Sally that the lunch I ordered for the staff—subs and smoothies—just arrived. She’s having them set up downstairs and sending a message out to all staff for me.
When I walk out of my office a few minutes later, Delaney’s not at her desk.
She must have already gone downstairs. When I arrive at the lower level, several staff members are in line to get food, but I don’t see Delaney.
I walk to Sally’s desk. She scoots a drink holder with three smoothies in it to me.
“Thanks, Sally. I appreciate you putting these aside.”
“Of course, anytime. It was nice of you to buy everyone lunch.”
I shrug and nod at her in response, and I feel my cheeks heat. I need a subject change.
“Hey, has Delaney already been down here?” I still don’t see her.
“No, not yet. Glad she’ll be eating something other than those pitiful cheese sandwiches she makes.”
“Yeah. You and me, both.” Still not seeing Delaney, I’m guessing she’s back at her desk. I hope she’s not thinking about skipping this lunch. “All right, I’m gonna head up with these before they melt.”
Once upstairs, I walk past Delaney’s empty desk and into Holden’s office. He’s frowning, glancing down at his phone.
“Here.” I put one of the pink smoothies on his desk, and he looks up, still frowning.
“You got me a smoothie?” His eyes grow wider as he pieces together that I did something nice. “Why?”
I shrug. “Because you’re not always an asshole.”
I was sure that one would land and amuse him, but his frown remains.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask. He shakes his head in response.
“Lester just sent me confirmation. Ella’s officially sold, and so did the empty storefront next to hers. Ella’s closing down and heading out in a week.”
“It’s only donuts and coffee, Holden. You’ll be okay. We can get you one of those fancy coffee machines here.”
“Uh, we already have one, but it’s not just that. It’s my routine. This change will seriously mess up my mornings now.”
“Um…” Shit, what do I do? Henry’s the one who is more connected to his emotions. I scratch my head. My eyes dart around the room as I try to think of something to say. Then, Holden… laughs. I turn my attention to him.
“Sorry, brother. It’s just that you should see how uncomfortable you are. It’s because I’m expressing emotion, right?”
Yes. Dickhead.
“I should take your smoothie away.” He hoots even louder. I flip him off as I walk out of his office door. I’d never let him see it, but I think he might’ve actually made me smile.
Delaney’s desk is still empty when I walk past, and I’m a little worried. I hope she’s not sick in the bathroom or something. Maybe I should go ask one of the women to check on her. Ellie’s out today, so I’ll head over to Leah’s office and see if she’ll do it.
The elevator dings as I approach it, and I stop. Maybe Delaney and I just kept missing each other, and she’ll be on her way back up. When the door opens, and Leah steps out onto the floor, my shoulders sag in disappointment.
“Hey, boss. You okay?” Leah asks.
“Yeah, sorry. I’m just looking for Delaney and can’t find her. I was heading to your office to see if you’d check the women’s restroom. I want to make sure that if she’s in there, she’s not ill.”
Leah chuckles. “You know if we were in a cartoon, you’d have little hearts floating all around you.” I roll my eyes at her. “It’s a good look on you, Harrison. C’mon, I’ll check.”
Since the restrooms are right around the corner from her office, we head in that direction. When we’re only a few feet away, Delaney turns the corner and almost runs into us.
“Oh!” She jumps, almost dropping the phone she’s holding in her hand. I notice her hands are shaking. “S-sorry.” Her eyes dart back and forth between Leah and me.
“No worries. Harrison was about to send me into the bathroom to make sure you weren’t sick in there or something. You okay?” Leah asks. She must notice that Delaney is paler than normal.
“Me? Oh, yeah. I was checking to see if you were in your office.” Delaney glances at me and then looks away just as quickly. “I-I have to get back to my desk to do a few things, but is it okay if I stop back later? I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”
“Sure,” Leah answers. “Anytime.”
Delaney’s phone rings, and she takes a quick peek at it. I swear she grows even paler.
“Excuse me. I’ve got to take this.” She scans the immediate area, frowns, and walks into the restroom. “Hello?” Her voice fades as the door closes behind her.
I’m assuming Leah sees concern on my face. “Don’t stand out here and wait for her, Harrison. It’ll look weird. Go back to your office. If she’s not back in five minutes, text me, and I’ll go in and check on her.”
I think about it for a few seconds, and then, against my better judgment, I agree, thank her, and return to my desk. I sit and read two emails, then look up, and to my relief, Delaney is back at her desk.
My phone dings. I glance down to see I have a text message from her.
Delaney
Thank you for the smoothie. XO
I hesitate, dying to ask if she’s all right. But I don’t want to be overbearing. I think she’d tell me if something was going on with her mom, so I’m just going to give her a little space and not press her.
You’re welcome.
Half an hour later, Henry and I are heading out for our meeting. I stop at Delaney’s desk, and we make plans for me to pick up Italian on my way back. Since she’ll already be home, I’ll meet her there.
I know we don’t show physical affection in the shared office areas, but I haven’t had time alone with her today. So, I take a quick look around the office and, since no one’s around, I give her a kiss on the cheek.
“I love you, Bets.” Her mouth turns up at the corners.
“I love you, too.”
Four hours later, I pull back onto our property, eager to see Delaney and to get some of this delicious food in my hollow stomach.
I’m late—it’s well after five—and when I texted Delaney to let her know, she never answered.
Maybe she laid down for a nap after work.
I hope so; an afternoon nap is always nice.
I’m so distracted by the smell of the food that I almost miss it. Delaney’s car is across from the office. She should have been gone an hour ago. I slow, pull into a space, and kill the engine, then I hop out of the car and jog over to the building.
My heart races. What if she were ill, and she’s passed out in there? Jesus. Once inside, I take the stairs to our floor two at a time. Once I’m up there, I find the lights still on, but Delaney nowhere in sight. My breathing picks up.
I’m just about to call her name when she walks out of my office, rubbing her hand over her eyes and holding a brown catalog envelope.
“Delaney—”
Her ensuing shriek pierces the air, and she drops the envelope and her phone.
“Jesus, Harrison! You nearly made me faint!”
I run a hand through my hair, willing my heart rate to slow to normal and forcing myself to control my breathing.
“You’re supposed to be home. I saw your car,” I explain.
She glances down at her watch, and her eyes bulge. “Shoot, I’m sorry. It’s later than I thought.”
“What are you doing here? What’s in the envelope?” I don’t miss the wince on her face at my frazzled tone.
“I’m working.” She holds up the envelope.
“I almost got all the clients that I had filed into the invoice system. I was trying to finish it, but I ran out of oomph. I’ve got an appointment tomorrow morning and won’t be in until after lunch—Henry gave the okay—but I figured I could finish while I wait for my doctor. ”
“Are you okay?” My heart rate picks up a few beats.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just some routine stuff.”
My stomach chooses that moment to roar again. She chuckles.
“C’mon, let’s go get some food in you. Okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” I take her hand, and we leave together.