Chapter Twenty-Six
Seraphine
I don’t have time to stop home before meeting Harrison for dinner. Elliot’s final meeting of the day ran late, and I stayed to assist him with keeping notes. I felt it was the right thing to do, as he’s done so much for me, and this is my job after all.
Elliot prepared a car for me, since I still won’t let him buy me one.
My car is still at my father’s house, and I haven’t bothered to go get it because I like getting chauffeured around—sue me.
I refused to let Elliot drop me off, because he offered.
That would only cause issues. I’m not entirely sure what is going on with us or where it will go, but I do know that not a single part of me is ready for Harrison to find out about us.
I can deal with questioning looks we may get from strangers over the age difference, but I cannot handle comments from people I know, talking about things they don’t understand.
And Harrison will never understand this. Hell, I hardly understand what it is. Until Elliot and I figure out what’s going on, no one needs to know. We can stay happy in our little bubble all by ourselves—with lots and lots of sex, because wow. Who knew sex could be like that?
“Miss Sinclair?”
I meet the gaze of the man who called my name. He’s standing by the security desk, dressed in an all-black get-up, finished with a chauffeur hat.
As I reach him, I point. “Garret?”
He nods, tipping his head. “Chat later,” he says to the guard, tapping the countertop before moving toward the door. He holds it open for me, allowing me out into the dreary Seattle day. It’s been raining on and off since the early morning.
We hurry down the steps and go to his car, where he opens the back door for me, and I get him. Quickly rounding the front, he gets in and starts the car.
“The Tea Pot, correct?” he asks, looking at me in the mirror.
“That’s right.”
I buckle my seatbelt and try to relax as he pulls into traffic.
I’m not looking forward to facing Harrison, but I am eager to get this done with.
The sooner I tell him there isn’t a single chance of us getting back together, the better it’ll be for everyone.
I’ll be much happier if he just leaves me be, which has nothing to do with his father and everything to do with the way he makes me feel.
Which isn’t great. Sure, maybe Elliot helped me realize that Harrison wasn’t treating me the best by showing me how someone should treat me, but anyone could have done that.
It’s not Elliot specifically. Though, I am grateful it is him, because I like him.
“How long have you worked for Mr. Caldwell?” the driver asks.
“Only a few months.” I give him a kind smile, my stomach still alight with nerves. “Do you work for him exclusively or…”
“Oh no. I work for a private company that Mr. Caldwell uses for personal matters.”
Personal matters? What sort of personal matters does Elliot have to deal with?
“You’ve done this for a long time?”
Garrett doesn’t look very old. Maybe close to forty? I’m not sure how old you have to be to be a driver. I’d guess eighteen, so I suppose he could have been doing this job for a long time.
“This year will be twenty years for me.”
“Wow. And you like what you do?”
“Sure. It pays the bills, and I get to meet interesting people.”
“I’d hate driving through the city like this.”
“You get used to it.”
My cell rings, and Garrett focuses his attention on the road as I answer the call.
“Hey, Gia.”
“So, I was thinking we could go to the movies this weekend.”
“That sounds great. Dinner too, please.”
“Obviously.”
“What do you want to see?”
“I don’t know. It’s just been a while since I did something simple like seeing a movie.”
I laugh. “Same!”
“I’ll get back to you once I decide. Are you on your way home?”
“Uh, no. On my way to meet Harrison actually.”
“Oh—”
“It’s not like that. Well, not really.” I sigh, looking out the window as tiny drops hit the glass.
I told Gia everything that happened with me and Harrison, not leaving back any gruesome detail.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told her about him cheating on me with his stepsister, but I had to tell someone.
Besides, Gia is sworn to secrecy. We fell right back into things, and I trust she won’t tell a soul.
“I’m going to let him know it’s over for good. ”
“Good for you, Sera. Seriously. I’m so proud of you. You’re… different.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Definitely a good thing. You’re more confident, more yourself. Mature. Smarter.”
“You say that like you’re my grandma.”
She barks out a laugh. “I’d make the best cookies.”
“Somehow, I think that’s a crock of shit.”
She laughs again. I love how quickly we were able to fall back into being ourselves together.
Gia has always had her other friends too, but she and I were the closest. It’s nice to know I wasn’t replaced, even though I would have deserved it.
I did her wrong, and even after apologizing, I still feel bad.
We chat for another minute or two, then get off the phone.
“We will arrive in four minutes, Miss Sinclair.”
“Thank you, Garrett.”
It’s quiet for the rest of the trip, and when he pulls up the restaurant, he hurries out with an umbrella then assists me out of the car.
He walks with me, holding the umbrella above us with a hand on my back to ensure we stick side by side and don’t fall out from under the umbrella’s protection.
I feel like royalty or something. The guy who brings me to and from work regularly doesn’t act like this. Not that I’m complaining.
“Enjoy your evening, Miss Sinclair,” Garret says with a wink once I’m inside.
“Thank you for getting me here safely.”
“Any time.”
With one last smile, he steps back into the rain and hurries to the car. He turns into a blur after just a few feet, the rain coming down hard now.
I reach the podium and give the hostess my name, letting her know I’m here to meet Harrison Caldwell.
“Ah, yes. He arrived a few moments ago. Follow me; I’ll take you to him.”
The restaurant has a charming, retro vibe but in a classy way.
The decor is inspired by old-fashioned ceramic teapots, and you can’t miss the whimsical, pastel colors on the walls—mint greens, soft blues, and pale yellows.
There are vintage teapots displayed on shelves, all unique, like a quirky collection from someone’s grandmother’s attic.
Each table even has its own little teapot centerpiece with fresh flowers or a candle.
The chairs have this curved, almost delicate design, reminding me of tea cup handles, and the velvet cushions give it a cozy feel.
The lighting is warm and soft, coming from hanging lamps shaped like teapots.
It borders cheesy and gaudy, resting on the line just enough to be considered high-end.
I’ll admit, I do find the place adorable, though their food menu isn’t the best. Still, I didn’t want to argue with Harrison about where to go, so when he suggested this place, I just went with it.
“Here you are, Miss.”
Harrison gets up, kissing each of my cheeks before pulling out the chair for me to sit.
“How was the drive?” he asks, getting back to his seat.
“Not so bad,” I say, picking up the menu. “The driver was nice.”
“You’re getting spoiled working with my father.”
I look up at him, hoping to see some humor in his eyes, but it looks more like annoyance.
“How else did you expect me to get here, Harrison? Walk?”
He looks at me as if he’s shocked by my response. “I offered to pick you up.”
“And I told you I couldn’t leave work early.”
“You could have, you just didn’t want to.”
I carefully let out a breath, trying to stay calm, and bring my attention back to the menu. It’s short and simple, with only three appetizers to choose from and five main meals. Their breakfast options are much better.
When the waitress comes to take our order, I opt for the grilled lemon herb chicken. It comes on a bed of wild rice with roasted vegetables.
Harrison orders the filet mignon and a beer. When I mention I’m fine with only water, Harrison gives me another look of shock.
“What?” I ask after the waitress leaves.
“Just surprised you aren’t drinking.”
“You say that like I’m an alcoholic or something.”
Harrison shakes his head as he pulls his phone from his pocket and checks something. I itch to grab my own phone and busy myself on it. I should have asked Gia to call me with an emergency, like people do when they’re on dates and need saving.
“Can we just get to why we’re here?” I say.
He looks up at me, a slight scowl on his face. He goes back to his phone for a moment before putting it on the table, screen down.
“I want to work things out.”
The words come out as if he’s making a business proposition or offering someone a job. How did I not see how cold he was the entire time we were together? It’s not like he became this way overnight. This is who he is.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Sure you do.”
“No, Harrison. I don’t.”
“You thought so before you started working for my father.”
“No, I—”
“Here you are, sir.” The waitress puts down his beer and then my water. “Is there anything else I can get you while we wait for your food?”
“We’re good,” Harrison says, reaching for his beer and taking a long sip.
I take a drink of my water before continuing what I was saying.
“I did not want to work things out before I started working for your father. We haven’t even discussed what happened.”
“I told you what happened.”
“It doesn’t even matter what happened, Harrison. You’re missing the point.”
Harrison picks up his phone again, typing something out. By the way he’s looking at it and typing, it seems like he’s texting someone. Who? Angela? A month ago, that would have angered me. Hurt me, even. Now? I’m just annoyed by being disrespected.
I pay him no attention, looking around the place as we wait for our food, which comes a few moments later. I start with my food, listening as he talks, but hardly paying attention.
“We are good together, Sera. Always have been. I mean, look how quickly we jumped into things. I let you into my home. You worked around my school schedule. We made a life work. And it was a good life.”
“Good? You call that good? Date night once a week, and hardly seeing you any other day? Yet somehow you made time to cheat on me? I’d hardly say that’s good, Harrison.”
He scowls again. “I’m trying to apologize here.”
I scoff, nearly choking on my food. I take a sip of water.
“Oh, is that what you’re doing?” I laugh humorlessly. “I must’ve missed that.”
I continue eating my food, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible.
How exactly am I getting out of here? Garrett didn’t say he was waiting. I guess it’s best I call a cab or ride share. Maybe I should do that now and use it as an excuse to leave.
“What happened to you?” Harrison hisses.
I drop my fork and knife onto the plate and look up at him. Is he serious?
“You know, for someone who wants to get back with me so badly, you sure do say that a lot.” I grab my napkin and wipe my mouth.
“It seems you’re more focused on trying to convince me to be with you, and for no reason I can figure out, then actually wanting to be with me.
” I get up, grabbing my things. “What’s wrong, Harrison?
Does your stepsister not want your dick anymore?
” I growl under my breath, then storm away.
I burst right through the doors, stepping out into the rain and walking until my anger burns off.
I didn’t say what I wanted to say to him, not in exact words, but I think I got my point across.
That’s the problem with Harrison though. You have to be direct, and I don’t think I was. Not enough for him to understand. So, I went through all of this for nothing. He’ll be calling me again before the night is through. Showing up at the office and asking me to dinner.
After walking for a few moments, I stop to look around, my body dripping with water, and I laugh.
I just laugh until my stomach hurts, because how absurd is this?
Once I calm myself, I keep walking. Everything I’m in will surely be ruined, even my cell phone at this rate, but I don’t care.
I have enough money to buy a new one. It’s freezing, and I’m shaking, but still, I don’t care. I just don’t care.
“Hey, hey! Miss Sinclair!” I narrow my eyes, looking around at hearing my name called through the rush of rain. There’s a car on the side of the street, Garrett hanging out of it and waving his arm.
“Garrett!” I call, waving back with a smile.
“Why are you walking in the rain? I’m supposed to bring you home!”
He hurries out of the car, putting up the umbrella on his way.
“Put it away, Garrett. It won’t do any good.”
He chuckles, and I laugh. When I get into the car, he hands me his coat and blasts the heat. I shiver all the way home.