by Lynn, Sandi
“Leave me out of it, Grayson. I’ve already done too much.”
“Don’t worry.” I hooked my arm around him. “Your work here is done.” I smiled.
Harper
I took the wrapping off the flowers to reveal a beautiful arrangement of white and yellow roses. Taking the card, I pulled it from the small envelope and read it.
You have a baby on the way, hooray! Congratulations. We wish you the best of luck and a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Your friends from the New York Cryobank.
These flowers were exactly what I needed to brighten my not so bright day. I sighed as I moved the flowers to the center of my dining table.
The next morning, I grabbed my laptop and headed down the street to Starbucks for a decaf coffee and a cranberry muffin.
“Good morning. What can I get for you?” the barista asked.
“I’ll have a Grande decaf coffee and a cranberry muffin.”
“Are those any good?” I heard a voice ask behind me.
Turning around, my eyes stared at the sexy man staring back at me with a smile on his face.
“Yes. They’re very good.” I smiled back.
“It looks like you took the last one,” he said.
“Yeah. That’s the last one,” the barista spoke.
“How would you feel about sharing that with me?”
“Excuse me?” I let out a light laugh.
“I’ll have a Grande Americano and put her coffee and muffin on my total,” he spoke to the barista.
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Of course you can.” He grinned as he pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it to the barista. “Keep the change.” He gave her a wink.
“Names?” she asked as she grabbed two cups.
“Grayson. And you are?” The corners of his mouth curved upward as he looked at me.
“Harper.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Harper.” He extended his hand.
“And you as well, Grayson.”
My heart skipped a beat as I placed my hand in his. The tailored black designer suit he wore fit his six-foot two-inch stature to perfection. His stylish brown hair, piercing blue eyes and masculine jawline that sported a neatly trimmed five o’clock shadow made my belly flutter. The barista handed me the bag with the muffin in it and my decaf coffee.
“Why don’t you go get us a table while I wait for my Americano.”
“Sure.” I nervously smiled.
I took the muffin, my coffee and my laptop and grabbed us a table by the window. I couldn’t believe I was about to share my cranberry muffin with this hot and sexy stranger. Taking the muffin out of the bag, I set down two napkins, cut the muffin in half, and slid it across the table. Grayson finally got his Americano and took a seat.
“Do you always share a muffin with a stranger in Starbucks?” I smirked.
“No. I’ve never done this before.” He gave me a wink, and I gulped. “So, are you here to do some work?” he asked as he pointed to my laptop.
“Yeah.” I took a bite of my muffin.
“What type of work do you do?”
“I’m a freelance graphic designer. I’m trying to find new clients. I just lost one of my biggest accounts. The company isn’t doing well, and they had to cut costs. How do you like the muffin?”
“It’s excellent.” He grinned. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“Thank you for the coffee.” I smiled as I held up my cup.
“Do you believe in fate, Harper?” he asked.
“Is that some kind of cheesy pickup line?” I laughed.
He cocked his head and stared at me for a moment.
“Shit. I guess it could be. But it’s not a pickup line. My company is looking to hire a graphic designer.”
“Really? What company do you work for?”
“Rhodes Enterprises. We’re a venture capitalist and property development company. Are you interested?” A smirk crossed his lips. “We pay higher than any other company and the benefits are great.”
“So is this position full-time? Like full-time in an office setting?”
“That can be negotiated. Why don’t you come in this afternoon for a proper interview? Bring your resume and portfolio, have a look around the office and then we can discuss all the details.”
“And what are you going to tell your boss? That you met some random stranger in Starbucks, shared a cranberry muffin, and now she’s coming in for an interview?”
He chuckled. “Harper, I am the boss. My last name is Rhodes. My grandfather, Leon Rhodes, started the company fifty years ago. He’s retiring in a year and I’ll be taking over. The company will become mine.”
“Oh.” My eyes widened.
He reached in his suit coat pocket and pulled out a business card.
“Here’s the address. Will two o’clock work for you?” He grinned as he stood up from his chair.
“Two o’clock is good. I’ll see you then.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
Chapter 11
Harper
I watched him as he walked out of Starbucks. My heart was racing a mile a minute and I couldn’t believe what just happened. Looking at my watch, it was nine fifteen, so I grabbed my laptop and my coffee and headed to the upscale salon where Charlotte worked.
“Hey, Harper.” Andrea, the receptionist smiled as I walked through the door.
“Hi, Andrea. Is Charlotte with a client?”
“No. Her first client doesn’t come in until ten. She’s back there if you want to talk to her.”
“Thanks.”
I walked over to her station and found her sitting in her chair looking at her phone.
“Harper? What are you doing here?” she asked with a smile as she got up and hugged me.
“You will never believe what just happened to me at Starbucks.”
“What? Tell me.”
“I met this totally hot and sexy guy named Grayson Rhodes. We shared a cranberry muffin and now I’m going to his office at two o’clock for a job interview.”
“Wait. What?” She shook her head. “What do you mean you ‘shared’ a cranberry muffin?”
“I took the last one, and he wanted to try it, so he asked me if I’d share it with him and he bought me the muffin and a coffee. But that’s not important.” I waved my hand. “His grandfather owns Rhode Enterprises, and he’s retiring in a year and Grayson will take over. They’re a property development and venture capitalist company, and they’re looking for a graphic designer.”
“And all this went down at Starbucks?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you didn’t want to work in an office setting?”
“I don’t think I have a choice right now. I need a job with a steady income. When I planned to go ahead with this pregnancy, I didn’t think I’d be losing my biggest account. And that’s another issue. I’ll have to tell him I’m pregnant.”
“You’re right. You have to. But if he’s already impressed with you, I’m sure your pregnancy won’t be an issue. How hot and sexy is this guy?” She grinned.
“Ugh. He’s tall, brown hair, piercing blue eyes, and he has an amazing body from what I could tell. He’s gorgeous.”
“How old is he?”
“I’m not sure. I’d say around our age.”
“Sounds to me like you’re a little smitten with him.” She smirked.
“Well, I don’t know him.” I blushed. “But as far as looks go, I guess you could say that. But it doesn’t matter, anyway. I’m pregnant and there’s no room in my life for a man. No matter how attracted I am to him.”
Grayson
I made Damon park across the street from her building. I didn’t know if she was going out this morning or what. It was a chance I took. When I saw her step out the door and walk down the street, I climbed out of the Escalade and followed behind her, blending in with the crowd of people who were on their way to work. She was even more beautiful up close. She stood
about five foot seven with long wavy light brown hair. When she turned around and her baby blue eyes stared into mine, they captivated me. She seemed nice and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why the hell she wanted a kid at her age or the fact that she was single. How was a woman that beautiful not spoken for?
On my way into my office, I stopped at Christine’s desk.
“Good morning, Mr. Rhodes.”
“Good morning, Christine. A woman named Harper Holland is coming in for an interview at two o’clock. If I have anything going on, reschedule it.”
“Okay. An interview? I didn’t know there was an opening available.”
“There wasn’t until about thirty minutes ago.” I smirked. “I want you to call Lawrence down in Human Resources and ask him to come up.”
Walking into my office, I set my briefcase down, took a seat in my chair and stared out at the busy city while I thought about her.
“You wanted to see me, Grayson?”
“Lawrence, yes. Have a seat.” I gestured as I turned my chair around. “I’m hiring a graphic designer this afternoon and I want you to get the paperwork ready.”
“We don’t have an opening for a graphic designer,” he said as his brows furrowed.
“We do now. Her name is Harper Holland, and she’s coming in at two o’clock. She is to get the full-time benefits package.”
“Is she going to be full time?” he asked.
“Probably not but it doesn’t matter. She’s to have the full-time package. Do you understand me?” I arched my brow at him.
“Yes, I understand, Grayson. I’m not sure what you’re doing or why.”
“Let’s just say I’m in a hospitable mood today.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
Chapter 12
Harper
I took a cab to the address on the card that Grayson gave me. As I stepped into the building and took the elevator up to the fifteenth floor, the fluttering in my belly intensified. I was nervous as hell and I shouldn’t have been. We’d already had coffee and shared a muffin this morning. I believed it was the fact that I had to tell him I was pregnant. That could be a total game changer for him, and I needed this job.
The elevator doors opened, and when I stepped out, I saw Grayson standing at the front desk.
“Hello, Mr. Rhodes.”
“Harper.” He turned around with a smile. “Right on time.” He looked at his watch. “Follow me and we’ll go to my office. May I get you anything? Coffee, tea, water?”
“No, thank you. I’m good.”
We stepped into his office and he shut the door.
“Please, have a seat.” He gestured as he took the seat behind his desk.
“Here is my resume and portfolio.”
He took it from my hands and studied them. I sat there, my hands sweating and my heart racing as I bit down on my bottom lip.
“I see you graduated from NYU with honors. Impressive.” He smiled as he looked up at me. “Your portfolio is outstanding. You’re very good at what you do. What are these?” he asked as he turned to the back pages of my portfolio.
“Just some buildings I designed. I thought I took those out.”
“Are you an architect as well?”
“My major was graphic design, and my minor was architecture.”
“These designs are great. Am I to assume you don’t like architecture?”
“No. I do. It’s just I like graphic design better.”
“I see. Well, you’ve impressed me.” He smirked. “You’re not interested in working full time in an office setting, are you?”
“Not really. I do much better work on my own in my own space.”
“Okay then. How about you come to work for me here at the office two days a week and do the rest of the work at home?”
“Really?” I smiled.
“Yes. Really. But you need to be available if I need you to come in for something and it’s not your scheduled day to be here. Will that be a problem?”
“No. Not at all. Except, there’s something that I need to tell you first.”
“What is it?” He looked at me as he folded his hands.
“I’m pregnant,” I nervously spoke.
“I see. I don’t have a problem with that. We have a great maternity leave package. Let me ask you though, how far along are you? You certainly don’t look pregnant.”
“I’m almost eight weeks.”
“You and your husband must be thrilled.”
“I’m not married.” I looked down.
“Oh. Then you and your boyfriend must be thrilled.”
“The father isn’t in the picture nor will he ever be.”
“I see. Your pregnancy doesn’t change the fact that I would like you to come work for us.” He picked up a pen and wrote something on a piece of paper. “This is the starting salary and you will receive full benefits. Health care, dental, eye care and 401k if you’re interested.”
I looked at the paper and couldn’t believe the figure he wrote. This job would change everything for me.
“This is a very generous offer, Mr. Rhodes.”
“Call me Grayson, and we’re a generous company.” He smiled. “Will you accept the position?”
“Yes. I will definitely accept.” I grinned.
“Excellent. Welcome to Rhodes Enterprises, Harper.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Come in tomorrow morning at nine a.m. and I’ll walk you around and introduce you to everyone and show you your office for the couple days a week you’re here.”
“Thank you, Grayson. I appreciate you giving me this opportunity.”
“You’re welcome.” The corners of his mouth curved upward. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“I definitely will. I’m off to apartment hunt.”
“Why?” he asked.
“I live in a one bedroom and now with the baby on the way, I need a two-bedroom place.”
“Hold on a second.” He held up his finger while picking up his phone. “Thomas, it’s Grayson Rhodes. Are there any two bedrooms available? Excellent. I’m sending someone over now to have a look. Her name is Harper Holland, and she’s an employee of mine. Show her what’s available.”
He ended the call, picked up his pen, and wrote the address on a piece of paper.
“Ask for Thomas when you get there.” He smiled.
“Thank you, Grayson,” I spoke as I looked at the address.
I walked out of the building with a smile on my face and hailed a cab. I couldn’t believe how everything was just falling into place.
“Where to, lady?” the cab driver asked.
“250 West 50th Street, please.”
When the cab driver pulled up to the curb, I climbed out and looked up at the forty-story building. With a smile, I walked through the open door that the doorman held open for me.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am. Are you visiting someone?” he asked.
“I’m here to meet with Thomas. Grayson Rhodes sent me over to look at a couple of apartments available for rent.”
“Well then, welcome. I’ll let Mr. Burns know you’re here.”
“No need, Sammy.” An older gentleman walked over and extended his hand. “You must be Harper. It’s nice to meet you.”
“And you as well.” I placed my hand in his and lightly shook it.
“I have the perfect apartment that I just know you’ll love.”
I followed him into the elevator, and we took it up to the twentieth floor. Inserting the key into the lock, he opened the door and we stepped inside. My eyes widened at the large space.
“You have eleven hundred and twenty square feet of pure bliss with two bedrooms and two bathrooms,” he spoke.
Shit. There was no way I would be able to afford this. Even with this new job.
The walls were painted a light gray with a matching gray wood floor throughout. The modern style kitchen housed white cabinets with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. The
one thing that caught my attention was the fact that there was a large terrace off the living area. A place I could go sit out at night and enjoy the view of the city.
“And here, behind this door is the washer and dryer. There are only a few apartments in this building that have this included. The rest of the residents have to use our on-site laundry facilities. As you can see, the lighting in here is phenomenal. Because this is an end unit, there are more windows. You’re loving it, right?” He grinned.
“I love it. It’s perfect. But I’m afraid it might be out of my budget range. What is the rent?”
“You’re in luck. We’re running a two-year special of five thousand dollars a month including water, sewer and trash removal.”
“You’re kidding, right? Five thousand a month for this?”
“It’s a steal. I can hardly believe it myself. And I do have other people who are interested. But since you’re an employee of Mr. Rhodes and he personally sent you himself, the apartment is yours if you want it. And another thing, we’re waiving the first and last month’s rent. All you must put down is a security deposit of five hundred dollars.”
I stood there in disbelief. A place of this size in this area was at the very least over seven thousand if not eight thousand a month.
“I’ll take it!” I grinned.
“Perfect. Let’s go down to my office and get the paperwork started. You’ll be able to move in this weekend if that works for you.”
Chapter 13
Grayson
As Julius and I were walking into the restaurant, my phone rang. Pulling it from my pocket, I answered it.
“Grayson Rhodes.”
“Mr. Rhodes, It’s Thomas.”
“Hello, Thomas. How did it go with Harper?”
“It went well, sir. She’s taking the apartment. She was quite shocked at the monthly rent.”
“I’m sure she was. There was no way she’d be able to afford what it really costs with a baby on the way. Thanks for doing this, Thomas.”
“You’re welcome, sir. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”