Crazy in Love

by S. L. Scott

  “I’ve been known to motivate . . .” It’s the perfect setup for a wink, but this isn’t about being cocky, patting myself on the back, or foreplay to bide time before dinner. This is about making sure Tatum finds what makes her happy. Not for me and not for the baby even though a kid needs to see that behavior modeled. This is about her.

  I continue, “This is about creating the life you need instead of searching for it in others.” She hasn’t really let me into her life to see this, but from what I’ve observed over the years, I think she’s placed that expectation on others like her parents, boyfriends, or Natalie. That’s not saying she’s weak, but that she’s lacked the contentment within herself to know she can take the lead in her own life.

  She swings her feet to the floor and sits up. Staring at the food on the coffee table, she says, “Now I feel bad for indulging.”

  “I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. I eat In-N-Out as soon as I land in LA.”

  “I know what you mean. I just think I probably should have gone into work today.”

  “Don’t you have your meeting with Dolores soon?”

  Checking my watch, I have a few minutes before I need to leave. “I need to go, change clothes—”

  “You should bring some clothes over here since you’re always having to go back to Natalie’s.”

  Now I’m the one staring. That’s what I call a turnabout. Warp speed indeed. “Are you sure?” I know how absurd it sounds that I’m asking to keep a few shirts over here when my baby already moved in.

  She nods with a smirk. “I’m sure.” Getting up off the couch, she adds, “Lounge time is over. We have money to earn to support this kid. Mama’s gotta go earn some bacon. And you have a new listing to get.” Strutting into the other room, I watch that fine ass as she shakes it for me.

  Just before she rounds the corner, she stops and whips around. Spreading her body lengthwise against the corner, she raises a leg and arm to look sexy. Does she not realize she doesn’t have to try with me? She purrs. “Or, if you have a few minutes, I could show you my birthmark.”

  “Oh yeah? Where might that be?” I’m already heading straight toward her.

  “Nowhere that the sunshine can reach.”

  Fuck me, the vixen. I’ll lose a listing before I miss out on discovering a new territory to conquer on her body. Grabbing my hands, she tugs me into the bedroom and has her way with me.

  “My apologies. Traffic is awful.”

  Dolores opens the door wider to allow me entrance. “You’re not coming from next door?”

  “I had an appointment in Tribeca, something I had to handle.”

  She walks into the heart of the home. “Hope everything’s okay.”

  I shut the door and follow her. “Yes, it’s perfect.”

  And I’m completely satisfied.

  When she sits on the couch, I choose the seat across the limestone and brass coffee table, and she says, “Harrison, I’m going to be up front with you. I’ve dealt with playboys and hotshots who have tried to get this listing. That’s not what I’m looking for.”

  I’m not liking the sound of this or the way she’s staring at me like I’m just another hotshot in New York City. My California pride is offended.

  “I adore Natalie and Nick. Andrew Christiansen, who lives two doors down, manages my portfolio, and I’ve raised money for The Jacobs Garden, Juni’s passion project. Every last one of them has spoken highly of you,” she continues.

  “That’s nice to hear.” I lean forward, resting my forearms on my legs and keeping my hands clasped together. “Is there a but coming?”

  “But,” she starts, not a trace of a smile, much less one that says I got this listing. “That was your girlfriend, not a client. Natalie told me about trying to talk her friend into buying the house, the same one you’re dating. I would also assume she’s the same person who left makeup on the fold of your collar.”

  Makeup?

  Shit.

  Because of the fun Tatum and I had, I didn’t have time to change clothes. I wore this suit not only last night but also this morning to the doctors and lounging at Tatum’s apartment.

  I look down at the rug, tracing the lines of the design. I don’t like to lie. Some agents will say anything to get the listing and do anything to close a deal, even if it means tricking a client or an interested buyer. I won’t lower my morals to sell a property. “I’m dating her. That was actually our first date.” When she doesn’t say anything but sits back as if she’s ready to hear the story, I confess everything. “I was in charge of bringing her to a party that Natalie was throwing for her. It was a surprise party for her birthday. But then I got this chance, and she told me to take it. We detoured here before going to the party next door.”

  We sit in a silent standoff for what feels like minutes. Rationally, I know it’s only seconds, but the heat is getting to me under the collar, tempting me to tug it to get more air.

  Dolores’s features have a hard line to them, but they soften, and she says, “Thank you, Harrison, for confirming I can trust you.” She smiles, and I take a deep, relieved breath. “I’m giving you the listing because I know you’re not only trying to make a name for yourself in the city but you also come highly regarded by your friends. And I like Natalie. I also like to help others when I can, and I think this listing will give you a nice reference when you sell it over listing for seventeen million.” Oh thank God.

  I was going eighteen, but seventeen gives me flexibility.

  She adds, “The only condition is that I don’t want you to lie to me. If you can agree to those terms, you’ve got yourself a listing.”

  Standing, I hold out my hand. “I won’t lie to you, Dolores. And I truly appreciate your trust in me. I do agree to your terms, and thank you. Very much. You won’t regret this, I promise.”

  “I like hungry agents. They work harder than the established ones. Get me over this listing, Harrison, and I’ll introduce you to everyone in this city.” She stands and shakes my hand.

  “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

  When I reach the sidewalk and the door closes behind me, I fist pump and punch the air. “Yes. Yes. Fucking yes!” I turn around and jump out of the way of an older lady in her speeding electric chair. “Sorry.” That doesn’t temper my excitement.

  I run up the stairs to tell Nick and Natalie, finding them on the back patio playing backgammon. “I got the listing,” I say, pulling out a chair next to Natalie.

  “You did?” she asks, a big smile on her face. “Dolores can be tough, but I knew she’d love you.”

  Reaching over, she rubs her fingers on my collar. “Is that makeup?”

  “Apparently. I need fresh clothes. I can’t believe I had to meet her wearing this.”

  “Why did you?” Nick asks, moving his pip. “You could have changed clothes first. Your stuff is upstairs.” His eyes peek up at his wife, and there’s a mischievous look in them. “Sorry, babe.”

  She huffs. “This baby has scrambled my brain. I never used to lose, and now it’s all I do.” She’s still not showing, but there’s a fullness to her face that wasn’t there before. It looks good on her, and has me imagining those small changes on Tatum.

  Angling toward me, she asks, “Can we talk about Tatum and the pregnancy?”

  “Sure, I could use the outside perspective.”

  The game is forgotten as her attention redirects to me. “I’m happy for you both. I’m just a little shocked. Or a lot, honestly. It’s a big change from us having to referee the space if you both occupied it to you guys having a baby together. It makes me nervous.”

  “I hear what you’re saying, and there’s not a thought in there that I haven’t shared. But I want this baby.”

  “What about Tatum?” she asks as if that’s even a question.

  “I want the full package, which includes her. I care about her, Nat. I get where you’re coming from. Tatum and I don’t make sense on the surface or from our history. But when we’re t
ogether, we do. We click.”

  Nick takes a drink of his beer and then says, “We don’t want either one of you to get hurt, but Natalie and I also know we can’t butt in or protect you. We just have to air the initial concerns, which you’ve now addressed.”

  Natalie gently rests her hand on my arm. “You know I adore you, Harrison, but I worry where that leaves us if something goes wrong.”

  I wasn’t expecting to have this conversation, but there’s a lot of things I didn’t expect to happen when I came to New York, mainly to fall for Tatum all over again. Fall? My stomach tightens because I may not have said anything to her or have to answer to my friends, but I can’t lie to myself.

  My relationship might appear to be only a few weeks old, but we were something special back in Catalina. I knew that then, which is how I was so sure she’d be in my life again. We’ve had some obstacles in our way, but the road ahead has been cleared, and I’m not taking any shortcuts when it comes to her.

  “Your allegiance lies with Tatum. I understand that, and I’d never come between the two of you, but maybe we’re supposed to work out. Maybe this baby is a sign that we’re tied together in this universe,” I say.

  “You sound like my mom,” Nick says under a chuckle.

  “Cookie might understand what’s going on better than I can, but I know what I feel and what I see.”

  Although Natalie’s hand had already returned to the table in front of her, her attention and the joy in her eyes shine on me. “I can’t ask for anything more than someone who loves her through the good and the bad. Do you love Tatum?”

  And there it is. All I have to do is tell the truth, but I should tell the woman I love first. “I hope you understand that I need to talk to Tatum before I talk to you guys.”

  “We do, man,” Nick adds. “Go change clothes. You look like shit. And then I suspect you won’t be joining us for soup?”

  More? I start laughing. “Not tonight, but what’s on the menu?”

  With her arms in front of her already explaining, Natalie replies, “French onion. I got the best gruyere at the market today for the topping.”

  I scoot my chair out. “Sounds good.” Gripping the back of it, I debate how I’m supposed to say this without getting Natalie excited and Nick rolling his eyes at me, ready to say I told you so. Ah, fuck it. They’re my best friends. If I can’t share my happiness with them, who can I? My family, but that’s the next step. “I’m going to take some of my clothes over to Tatum’s, so I might not be around as much in the next few days.”

  Their reactions are predictable, sans the I told you so, but that’s what makes them so great. They voice their concerns up front, but when all is said and done, they support Tatum and me. “Oh, and we’re having the baby. I didn’t know if you thought we might not, so yeah, I’m going to be a daddy.”

  “Harrison,” Natalie says, getting up quickly. She hugs me, and I think I feel her body rattle with a soft sob.

  “Are you crying?”

  “I’m just so happy for you, and I get to have a baby at the same time as my best friend. This is such a beautiful day.”

  Nick comes around and pats me on the back before pulling his wife to his chest. “C’mere, babe.” To me, he shakes my hand. “Congratulations. Look at us all grown up and becoming dads.”

  “Didn’t see that coming.”

  “The best things in life aren’t the ones we plan. They’re the ones that happen naturally,” he says.

  Nick could be talking about his own relationship or mine. Maybe both. Definitely both.

  Whatever the grand plan was for me, I’m glad Tatum and this baby are a part of my destiny.

  26

  Tatum

  “Don’t be nervous.”

  His voice is soothing, despite me being too anxious to say anything.

  Holding my hand on top of his leg, Harrison says, “Look at me, Tate.”

  I look at the handsome man next to me in the cab and nod, too anxious to say anything. His hold tightens, giving me security, and he kisses me on the cheek. “It doesn’t matter what they say or don’t say. All that matters is what’s right here in this car. You. Me. And this baby.”

  “I can’t drink.” Panic rises inside. “I shouldn’t admit it, but I need a glass of wine or something when I’m around them.”

  “The French drink wine when—”

  “I’m not French, and I’m not drinking. I understand it’s a coping method.” Taking a deep breath, I exhale, seeing the restaurant up ahead. “I’ll just have to get by with . . . I don’t know. Water and you. That’s enough.”

  He chuckles. “Glad I can be of service. But for real, you say the word, and we’ll leave.”

  “Thank you.” I do feel calmer though I won’t truly feel better until this dinner is over. I can usually handle dinner with my parents, especially on my birthday, knowing I’ll get something fabulous or a blank check. But this dinner is different. Not only am I introducing my boyfriend to them but I’m also telling them I’m pregnant.

  Sure, I could wait on the latter, but why? My friends know, so it’s only right that my parents do before Page Six does.

  We walk into the restaurant, and we’re directed to the bar to wait. “What do you want to drink, baby?”

  Baby . . . I remember the first time he called me that and how for that time I was with him, I felt like his. Now hearing it in public like it’s a fact, I find peace because he’s truly shown me how much he cares. It may seem like a little thing, but it’s more than I’ve ever let anyone else in. “Perrier with lemon, please.”

  I remain standing awkwardly off to the side near a column as he works his way between two couples to order the drinks at the bar. It wasn’t that long ago that I was jealous of him talking to those women after The Resistance concert. Rubbing my baby, I relish in the comfort that spreads. Now, here I am about to be the mother of his child.

  This is quite the plot twist.

  He returns, handing me a drink. “This place is packed. Do we need a reservation?”

  “My parents got one. The name Devreux carries weight in certain circles.”

  He sips his drink, indifferent. None of that seems to impress him. It’s something I appreciate.

  “Harrison?”

  We both turn toward the sound of a woman calling his name. My instinct tells me to mark him, grab onto him, to do something to stake my claim. But that’s not something I need to lower myself to do. I hold the cold glass a little tighter when I see a blonde with legs hanging out of a very short skirt. It’s a skirt I would totally wear, which makes her more annoying.

  Peeking over at Harrison, I’m thinking he’s caught in some fight or flight mode the way he’s eyeing the exit but knows he’s stuck with me.

  She throws herself at him, at my baby daddy, hugging him as though she owns . . . or has had sex with him. I’m tempted to step away to give them privacy. Not really. It’s the jealousy I’m trying to walk away from, but that’s inside me, so yeah. Fun times.

  Oohing over him, she says, “You look so good.”

  “I did not expect to see you, Talon.”

  Talon? I flip my hair over my shoulder and raise my chin.

  She asks, “Why didn’t I call you back?”

  “I guess because I never called,” he says and then smoothly takes a gulp of his drink. Yep, he’s all mine, ladies, and I can’t be more proud. “I thought you got married?”

  “I was supposed to. Got to the altar when he presented a prenup, so I called it off.”

  She shrugs like it is no big deal. “If he doesn’t trust me, we have nothing.”

  “Agreed.”

  Patting his chest, she laughs, but it’s fake as fuck. “So I was thinking we should give it another go.”

  He reaches for my hand, but since I had kind of slinked away, he has to bend to get it. “This is my girlfriend. She’s having my baby. God, I can’t wait.”

  I need alcohol for this. Hitting him with a glare for dragging me int
o this, I do what a good girlfriend would and face her with a smile. “Yep, we’re having a baby together. I mean, the sex is fantastic, so go me. I don’t need him for the money though, but I’m glad he’s loaded.” Poking her with my elbow, I continue, “Loaded. Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge. If you know what I mean. This baby didn’t happen magically.”

  “I’m gonna go,” she says, scrunching her nose and looking at me like I’m a lunatic.

  Whatever gets the job done is what I always say. Not sure what worked, but something in there got her to leave him alone. I take a long sip of my bubbly water, looking at him innocently. When I swallow, I then say, “She sure left in a hurry.”

  “Wonder why?” His sarcasm drips as his arm comes around me, and he kisses my head.

  “I didn’t get a name in that introduction, just that I’m your girlfriend and your baby mama.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it mattered since I have no intention of ever seeing her again. Her name is Talon. She’s a flight attendant.”

  “And you’ve had sex with her?”

  A cocked eyebrow highlights his wide eyes. “Is that something you really want to know?”

  “I already know, or you would have denied it. Since you didn’t, I guess I got my answer.”

  We’re close to fighting over this, and that’s not something I want to do tonight or ever when other women are involved. We’re together, or we’re not. There’s not going to be an in-between. But I was privy to him handling that situation, and I can’t reason myself into being mad.

  I take his hand and hold it proudly. I’m just about to tell him how I really feel, not about that woman, but about him, those three words that I haven’t said to any man I’ve dated.

  He drags his phone from his pocket, and when he checks it, he says, “Table’s ready.”

  Probably best . . .

  After going to the hostess stand, we’re led through the restaurant to a quieter corner. To my surprise, my parents are already seated. There have been birthdays where they have been late . . . or just not shown up. I release Harrison’s hand to greet both of them with a hug. Then turn. “This is Harrison Decker, my boyfriend. Harrison, Camille and Laurence Devreux.”