by S. L. Scott
6
Harrison
More flowers are needed, according to Natalie, so I’ve been sent to the shop around the corner to buy them.
Just as I step onto the stoop, a car door opens at the curb, and a tan, lean leg and red heel lands on the sidewalk. My attention is fully captivated, and I angle to get a better look.
The top of a blond head is seen first, and then Tatum and her curves follow. She tells the driver, “Thank you,” before noticing me.
After the other night, she’s not someone I can tango with any longer. I shove my hands in my pockets and lower my gaze to the steps beneath my feet as I travel from the stoop down to the sidewalk. I don’t bother with niceties. We’re long past that. I head in the direction of the shop I’ve been sent, putting my thoughts on the errand ahead instead of on the woman behind me.
“Harrison?”
I stop one brownstone down, debating if I should even try. I received her message loud and clear when she left me the other night.
Guilt tweaks in my bones. My mom raised me to have better manners. My dad told me to confront life head-on. Life. Tatum. Kind of the same thing right now.
“Please?” she adds. When I turn around, my eyes meet hers, and that plea is still wrangling her expression. “Can we talk?”
“About?” I ask, allowing my gaze to dip down. Dressed in a strapless, fitted black top and a full skirt that hits just at her calves to match, she looks so fucking gorgeous that it pisses me off for some reason.
She comes closer with a box in her hands and a small red bag dangling from her elbow. Her hair is pulled back in a sparkling clip on one side and falls in soft waves on the other side of her face. Her bold red lips don’t compete with the faintest of pink on her cheeks that could be mistaken for her blushing instead of makeup. But it’s her eyes.
Always those eyes that hide a million secrets locked inside. She’s hard to look away from, but I force myself to the trees lining the streets until she says, “The other night . . .”
On the end of an exasperated sigh, I say, “I don’t need to relive—”
“I know, and I’ll respect your wishes and won’t go over the details, but I need you to know that I came back.”
“You came back where? When?”
“When I left in the car, I had the driver stop the next block down. I came back for you, Harrison, but you were gone.”
Pulling my hands from my pockets, I work through her words in my mind as my body straightens. I’m lost on the change of heart, or is it a revelation? “Why?”
“Because I wanted you to know that I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
I mentally scold myself for sounding so dumb. I’m not sure what it is about Tatum Devreux that makes me go stupid, but I really need to get that under control.
“I’ve pinned a lot of hurt on you, and the fact is, I need to take responsibility, too. I could have called you, Harrison. I should have.” As I stand in my victory for winning the verbal battle, her shoulders sag in defeat. I take the box from her because it’s starting to look heavy, thinking that might be weighing her down.
There’s no change in her body or her stance. “Thank you,” she whispers. I know what she means. It’s for the box. But she adds, “I wish I would have called you.”
Talk about a victory. I’m tempted to do a lap to celebrate, but not when it comes at the expense of her happiness. I hate that we keep getting locked in this weird purgatory state. “You mean that?”
She smiles, and I thought I knew what victorious felt like until then. This is a gold medal win, selling my first house celebration, losing my virginity . . . okay, we won’t go that far, but it feels pretty damn good to see her smile because of me. For me.
Nodding, she says, “We said we would start over, but this time, I really mean it. If you’ll give me another chance.”
“You don’t even have to ask. I’m not one to hold grudges.”
“I’m the worst about grudges, but maybe that’s something I need to improve as well.” She looks back at the front door and then to me again, and asks, “The party hasn’t started, and you’re already leaving?”
“Flowers. Natalie wanted more, so I told her I’d go to the florist around the corner to get them.” Checking my watch, I say, “I should get going. They’re closing soon.”
“I can go with you?” The question isn’t missed in the offer. “I just need to drop off the cake.”
“It’s cake?”
“The bakery was in a fender bender on the way over, and it messed up the cake. I offered to find another, and there’s this great bakery by my apartment.”
“That was nice of you. Saved the day.”
Her cheeks pinken, and she says, “I forgot my cape.”
“If you’re still interested—”
“I’m interested.”
I chuckle. “I’ll take this inside then and be right back.” I head up the steps. The catering company bustles around the kitchen, so I set it down and let them know before ducking outside. Natalie is working with the party planner on the table set up on the lawn, one long table with centerpieces of flowers running its length.
“Tatum brought the cake. I left it inside,” I say.
“Great.” Looking behind me, she asks, “Where is she?”
“She’s going with me to the florist.”
“She is?” Natalie asks, her eyes wide in surprise.
“She is.”
“Okay.” Her grin says it all, so I leave before any teasing begins.
I open the front door to find Tatum standing on the top step waiting for me. For me.
Holding out my elbow, I ask, “You ready?”
“Absolutely.” She takes my arm as we descend the steps together. Her touch is missed when we reach the safety of the sidewalk, but I’ll keep that to myself.
“I love this flower shop. They have such gorgeous arrangements. Did Natalie place an order?”
“Yes. I’m just the muscle.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got a great ass, too.”
“Didn’t know you noticed.”
She flips up the back flap of my black suit jacket. “You can’t hide that goodness.”
I don’t know what’s come over her, but she’s giving me whiplash. “Have you been drinking?”
Whacking me on the arm, she laughs. “No. I’m just trying to be more open, friendlier, and say what I mean. No boundaries. Basically, telling the truth and seeing where it takes me.”
I realize I’m going to like this new start to our relationship. I open the door for her. When she passes, I smack her ass. “Yours isn’t so bad either.”
The thrilling allure in her eyes has me wondering how I’m going to survive if flirting will be a regular thing between us. As for boundaries, there doesn’t seem to be any.
Fuck. She’s going to do me in.
Open. Fun. Willing. Sexy.
She’s everything she was back in Catalina.
I start moving a lot faster, thinking it’s best to get back before we get in any deeper. Our arms are full of bouquets when we return, and the decorator and her assistant get to work on the arrangements. Natalie is still in a robe with curlers in her hair, though her makeup has been done. She has a bottle of water, and Tatum grabs a glass of champagne before they head upstairs together.
Guests begin to arrive for their wedding anniversary celebration, filtering through with a quick stop at the bar before dispersing around the living room and outside. I order my usual and head to one of the couches set up on the lawn.
I barely have time to sit before I’m standing to give Nick’s mom, Cookie, a kiss on the cheek. “It’s good to see you, Mrs. Christiansen.”
“Stop that. You’re a grown man. Call me Cookie.” Taking me by the shoulders, she admires me before saying, “I haven’t seen you for what feels like years, Harrison. Ever since the boys moved to New York. Still driving all the women wild?”
“I try my best,” I reply, thi
nking about the sexual drought of the past couple of months. Shaking Nick’s dad’s hand, I add, “Good to see you, Mr. Christiansen.”
He’s a lot like my dad, preferring the formality, unlike Cookie. “You, too, Harrison. How’s the real estate market in New York?”
“Gangbusters. I haven’t sold anything yet since I just got my license, but I have three offers in, and I’m starting the search on a ten-mil deal.”
“Impressive. I bet your father is proud.”
“He will be.” My dad is not the warm and fuzzy kind, but you know where you stand with him. I exceeded his expectations in LA after years of busting my ass, but now it’s time to repeat the process here in this city.
“Are you dating anyone?” Cookie asks. One-track mind—love. Guess there could be worse things to bide your time.
She loves to dabble in matchmaking. Nick and Andrew are proof of her skills. Do I want to be next? Tatum steps outside, already engaged in an exchange with Natalie’s brother, Jackson. She laughs, and then they embrace. My eyes return to Cookie. “Not right now.”
“What do you say I look at your stars and sign? You don’t have to follow any rules, but sometimes, it’s good to know what the universe has in store for you.”
“If the universe can tell me my fate, I’m all in.”
Cookie’s practically a second mom. She already knows when my birthday is, and I’m sure my sign. Nick and Andrew called her New Age beliefs nonsense, but I’m game. “I’m not looking for love or anything like that. I’d rather keep this focused on my professional life.”
“I don’t decide what information is returned, Harrison. I just try to decipher it.”
Corbin chuckles. “Ah. I see the Devreuxes are here.” My ears perk up, and I follow his gaze to see a couple who I can instantly tell are Tatum’s parents. Her mother has a similar shade of hair color as her daughter, and they share the same skin tone, eye shape, and high cheekbones. “I’m going to go say hi to Camille and Laurence,” Corbin Christiansen says. He gives Cookie a kiss on the cheek and heads back toward the house.
Cookie says, “You’re an Aries. Passionate and determined. Self-motivated and driven for success. You’ve always been those things. Even your wild younger years with Nick couldn’t change your traits.” Sipping her champagne, she then smiles. “Speaking of the female persuasion—”
“Were we?” I knew it was coming, but I still take two gulps for this part of the conversation.
There’s an airiness to her laughter, a comfort found in the sound. I spent so much time at the Christiansen house growing up—eating meals, spending the day at their pool, hanging out with Nick and sometimes the whole family—that hearing her reminds me of home.
She taps my forearm with familiarity. “Oh, Harrison, you’re so funny. As for a good match, I’d look for a Gemini. They go swimmingly with Aries.”
“Why is that?”
“Compatibility, communication, and last but certainly not least when it comes to romantic relationships, sex. Aries and Geminis are perfect for each other. Of course, people fight their destinies sometimes, but if you follow your heart, it will never lead you astray.”
“Cookie?” Natalie calls from the patio and waves her over.
Cookie looks at me and smiles. Touching my arm again, she says, “Good things are in store for you, Harrison. Just be open to the signs that lead you there.”
After that conversation, I might now side with her sons and call it New Age nonsense. Signs and all those traits. With my eyes on Tatum, I drink up, realizing Cookie described the perfect woman. I’m not sure if that exists anymore.
Anyway, I prefer to control the situation. There’s no way I’m handing it over to the universe and fate.
Tatum’s laughter rings out like a bell.
Now there’s a sign . . . a sign to leave her alone.
Cookie has me pegged all wrong. I like the women I date to be independent. That’s much more attractive than clingy. Confidence is an aphrodisiac.
And those are definitely traits I see in Tatum. Although, it does make me wonder why she was so angry and determined to avoid me when I saw her two days ago. Despite her apology for lumping me in with other men and for not attempting to call me, I still want to sort through where we went wrong to see if we can get back on the right path.
And that’s not normal for me. I’ve never wanted that with exes or women I’ve dated a few times and have always accepted the natural end of a relationship. If we detoured or veered off track, I had no problem walking away. Yet with Tatum, it’s different and worth the effort. And I wonder if that’s because of the glimpse of excitement I experienced earlier. Her vivacity.
Tatum and Camille head in my direction, but Nick and Natalie gather the guests to sit since the food is about to be served. I walk along the long table set up in the garden, looking for my place card. Intrigued to see who Natalie sat me next to and near. I’m pretty easygoing when it comes to these types of situations, but when I see Tatum rush past me and covertly switch two cards, I’m impressed with her deviousness.
With Nick and Natalie sharing the head of the table, their moms are seated next to them and then Tatum and Jackson. Tatum is directly across from me. The sign would lead me to believe that Tatum and I aren’t too far gone if she’s sneaking around to sit closer.
The champagne glasses are already full. When everyone finds their seats, Nick stands with his glass in hand. “On this beautiful evening, I wanted to thank you for celebrating our wedding anniversary with us.” He looks down at his wife, who’s beaming up at him. “Destiny brought Natalie into my world—”
“Stumbling, actually,” she adds.
A low murmur of laughter rolls across the table. He takes her hand. “Yes, she fell into my arms, and I couldn’t dream that this beautiful soul would see anything in me, but she did.” Speaking to her directly, he adds, “It took us three times to get things right, but once we did, there was no going back. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better match than you. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with. I love you, Natalie.” He helps her from the chair so she can stand next to him. Leaning down, he kisses her. “Happy anniversary, baby.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she stares into his eyes like he put the stars in the sky just for her. “Happy anniversary, my love.” They kiss again. Then she turns toward the table. Waggling her finger, she adds, “Nick gave me this stunning ring.” The last light of the sun hits the slim gold band of the ring on her right hand. The single pearl on top is elegant and so romantic.
She gives him one more kiss. “We’re so happy to share this day with all of our friends and family. We also thought tonight with our parents here was the perfect time to announce we’re having a baby.”
The moms stand on either side to hug their child. It doesn’t matter how old we get—that’s what my mom tells me. The rest of us clap. Staying with them has given me the benefit of being an insider on the situation. As much as it’s weird that Nick’s going to be a dad, a little part of me is envious he’s really kicking off the next chapter of his life while I’m still stuck in first gear.
I reach for my champagne and stand, ready to give the toast as Nick’s brother and his wife, Juni, finish hugging the guests of honor. Juni’s about to have her first baby, making Nick and Natalie an uncle and aunt. When they return to their seats, I hold up my glass. “To the soon-to-be parents. Congratulations!”
After taking a drink, I go around and shake Nick’s hand. I drag him in for a hug, though. “Congrats, man. Couldn’t happen to better people.”
“Thanks, Deck.”
I return to my seat and catch Tatum looking my way. I grin because why not? She’s in a great mood. I’m in a good mood. We bonded over flowers and putting an end to the madness of holding grudges. Holding my glass across the table, I wait until she brings hers close enough to tap.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” she says.
“To new beginnings.” And reading the signs. I keep that l
ast part to myself.
7
Harrison
The second course is served.
The mothers flanking Nick and Natalie have been gushing with excitement since the couple announced the baby. Jackson has talked Tatum’s ear off, but I try not to be jealous. They’re old friends, I remind myself.
He starts a conversation with his other neighbor, finally, giving Tatum and me the first chance to speak.
Tatum leans forward to whisper to me, “You look bothered.”
“That’s just my face,” I reply, teasing.
“No, it’s not. Maybe bothered wasn’t right.” A myriad of emotions flickers through her eyes as she studies mine. “I’m leaning toward jealousy.”
Chuckling, I spin my glass of whiskey between my fingers on top of the pale pink tablecloth. “You tell me. You seem to know the emotion well, or is jealousy a reaction?”
“Why would you say that?”
I hold my hands up in surrender, but inside, I’m laughing. “I didn’t know you had an issue with grammar questions.”
“Stop being ridiculous.” Not when it brings that pretty smile of hers to the surface. She’s still laughing when she says, “I meant, why would I be familiar with jealousy?”
Finishing the amber liquid, I ask a passing waiter for another and then return my attention to the stunner sitting across from me. “No reason. No reason at all.” My words contradict my true emotions. I was so fucking jealous of Jackson, but I’ll never let her know that. Maybe I hid it as well as she did at the bar with those two women. Basically, not at all.
Flirting also seems to challenge our earlier agreement, but maybe we’re just those kinds of friends as well. Who says you can’t have it all?
As we eat, I keep catching the warmth of her gaze on me. She plays it off and is quick to look away most of the time, but she locks her brown eyes on mine every once in a while without apology.
Natalie stands after our plates are cleared, her glow filling the garden with the pure joy written across her face. She gently taps her spoon against the side of her crystal water glass. “We’re having such a lovely evening with you that Nick and I felt tonight would be a good time to . . . well, I want to say something to my dearest friend.” Her gaze slides to Tatum. “You’re my sister and my best friend. I don’t need an answer now, but I’d love for you to consider being our baby’s godparent.”