“But you didn’t correct him.”
“I know, Mac. I let him believe whatever he wanted to believe. At the end of the day I was hurt. I was done with him.”
“You two were in love. He panicked, got scared, and ran for the hills. By the time he got it together, it was too late for you.”
It was painful thinking back on what Nicholas and I had lost. A flood of conflicting emotions momentarily filled my body. My heart hurt in my chest every time I thought about how happy we were then. A couple of young lovers, freshly minted with new degrees. It was going to be us against the world. We had such huge dreams for our life together.
“Mackenzie, a couple of months in pregnancy time feels like a lifetime when you’re figuring things out and your lover suddenly decides to bolt. I was in the middle of a crisis. Nicholas and I were having a crisis. It wasn’t like we weren’t old enough to get married. I was twenty-six and he was thirty-one, for Christ’s sake.”
“Yeah, well maybe Nicholas wanted to play the field and sow his oats.”
“Uh huh, and he didn’t feel like he wanted to be tied down to me and a baby,” I snapped.
Mackenzie handed me more photographs of him. Damn, that man is fine. He walked the line between heartthrob and gorgeous. No, he was a fine, gorgeous, heartthrob. A fine, gorgeous, arrogant ass, rain-on-my-parade heartthrob. Just thinking about this all over again was causing my temperature to rise. It was a painful period in my life then and there was no way out but through.
“Thank God I had you to lean on Mackenzie. I don’t know how I could have gotten through those days without you. I’m so blessed to have you as my friend.”
“Which is exactly why you should tell that asshole to keep it moving and don’t look back, Harper.”
“Yeah, except now my biological clock is ticking. I wouldn’t mind having a baby now. I look at your relationship with Gill, Jr. I love being his Godmother. I have so much fun with him. I kind of want my own son or daughter now. I just don’t want the man it takes to make it,” I chuckled, trying to keep the mood light after all this talk down memory lane.
“Well being a single parent is tougher than you think Harper. Ever since Gill died in Iraq, raising a baby on my own hasn’t been a cakewalk,” Mackenzie said. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to bite off a piece of that apple alone if you don’t have to.”
“Well, I have an appointment with my therapist Dr. Richards this afternoon. I plan to run the idea of my having a baby by myself by her. See if she agrees. I’m ready to do this now. I feel like I’ve got the moxie to raise a child on my own. My panic attacks have long since ended. My career is at a stage where it’s the best it’s ever been.”
“And, you’re filthy rich,” Mackenzie said mockingly. “And, I could keep adding to the list. You hot, you’re beautiful, you’re smart. Whatcha need a man for, girl? Love ’em and leave ’em Momma,” Mackenzie said supportively.
“Exactly. I’m ready for motherhood. It’s now or never. I’m thirty-six years old. I’m not getting any younger. Speaking of men, Mackenzie, when are YOU going to get back in those waters? When are you going to find a new man and a dad for little Gill? It’s been several years now. It’s time, don’t you think?”
“Oh you’re in my business now,” she laughed, swiveling her chair around to face me.
“Yup. Gill left you financially comfortable. You’re the go-to photographer for anything and everything important on the social scene in Manhattan. You’re the same age as me. You still have a lot of kick left in you, girl. We can play the field together.”
“Well I’ve kind of got my eye on someone special,” Mackenzie said slyly.
“Who? Girlfriend, spill it like you tell me,” I prodded.
“Well it’s too early yet for me to say. I don’t want to jinx things. But if I decide to jump into that pond again, you’ll be the first to know. You can count on it.”
Mackenzie was always the one to play her cards close to the vest. Why wasn’t I surprised that she was holding out on me again. She was very overprotective of her son. If she made a decision to put herself out there with a man, he was well going to be worth it. Mackenzie didn’t allow her son to bond with men that she felt held no possibility for a long-term future.
“So Harper, back to these pictures of you and Nicholas.” She turned the pictures around again and tilted her head to the side a bit. “Are you absolutely sure you and Nicholas still don’t have feelings for each other?” she asked, right as my assistant Charlotte buzzed my intercom again.
“Ms. Montgomery, I have your mother on the phone for you.”
I looked at Mackenzie, picked the phone up, and mouthed that I had to take Mother’s call. I was glad not to have to answer her question. I was going to have trouble denying that I had no feelings at all for Nicholas. Quite the opposite.
Mackenzie mouthed back that it was time for her to leave, tapping her finger on her watch. I nodded. Mackenzie grabbed her things, but left the pictures, signaling she’d call me later, blowing me air kisses.
“Good afternoon, Mother, how are you?”
“I’m well thank you. It was so good to see you at Riley and Noah’s wedding, darling. You looked absolutely divine.”
“Thanks Mother.”
“I was tickled pink to see Nicholas, dear. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo.”
“Yes Mother, he did,” I said, still silently studying the picture of me and Nicholas.
“However, I was a bit surprised to see you with that Brooks McKenna fellow. I don’t think Nicholas is too fond of him,” Mother paused briefly.
“Nicholas doesn’t get to pick my dates Mother,” I said, hoping to keep my voice at a level that made me sound disinterested.
Mother was never one to get it out of her head that Nicholas and I belong together. She treated that man like he could do no wrong. She was downright obsessive compulsive about her affection for him. Of all the men I’ve dated this decade, Mother kept coming back to Nicholas like clockwork.
“Well for what it’s worth dear, I think the two of you look cute together,” Mother cooed. “Nicholas is a fine man with lots to offer. I see no reason why the two of you can’t put the past behind you, Harper. You know, let bygones be bygones. You’re not getting any younger, darling.”
“Must we discuss this right now Mother? I’m busy.”
“It’s obvious the two of you still have feelings for each other, Harper,” she said, ignoring me. “You need to start to thinking about settling down, dear.”
I wondered how many more years was it going to take for my Mother to get it through her head that I was fine without a man. I imagined that when I told her I’m contemplating bringing her first grandchild into the world absent an identifiable father, she was seriously going to blow a fuse. But, I’d have to cross that bridge when I got to it. Today was not the day.
“Mother, surely you didn’t call me to talk about Nicholas?” I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, wishing this call was over.
“No dear. I’m calling to see how things are progressing with Joduku Plastics.”
“Ah yes, plastics. Well, I’ve got the latest prospectus on them right here in front of me.”
Thankfully, Charlotte had dropped the financials on my desk shortly after Mackenzie left. I relished the thought of being prepared whenever Mother and I did business together. We had a healthy respect for each other’s business acumen. “Preliminarily, the financials look good. There are no real fires in the financial statements. I’ve assigned a couple of folks on my staff to do due diligence. I’m waiting for their feedback.”
“Good to hear Harper. I take great comfort in the fact you’re on top of things.”
“I’ll probably take the jet early next month to Princeton to meet with their CEO, Nobu. As best I can tell, there’s a short list of three other potential buyers who may possibly be serious contenders. My team is doing intelligence now to identify our competition.”
“Well it’s st
ill early in the game, Harper. I trust you’ll keep a rein on things. Keep me informed. Carmichael Ketchup really wants this acquisition. If we can acquire this business, it will really be a coup for us.”
“I understand Mother.”
“We’ll be able leave our competitors in the dust, Harper. I have a lot of faith that The Montgomery Group will come through for us. Make this happen.”
“I still don’t understand why you didn’t keep this acquisition in-house with the Carmichael staff, Mother? Don’t you think this project would be easier to control in-house?”
“Oh, not really. The staff here are far too comfortable. They’re way too slow at getting out of the gate for my tastes. It’s time for me to rock the boat. Perhaps roll a few heads around here.”
“Interesting.”
“But then again, I know of no one that loves to win more than you do, Harper. That’s the kind of tenacity I need to have on this deal, sweetheart.”
“Well I do what I can, Mother.”
I did not quite believing my lying ears. I barely believed that crock of crap Mother was shoveling about her staff being too comfortable. Mother didn’t build a ketchup empire surrounded by fools. Something was up with this acquisition. I didn’t know what, but I was sure going to get to the bottom of it sooner or later.
“I need to run, Mother.”
No problem sweetie. I’ll check back with you next week. I must go now too,” she said. “I promised your father I’d join him at Le Bernardin for a dinner. He’s meeting with some politicos in the New York Democratic Delegation.
“Daddy’s favorite place to politic,” I said nonchalantly.
“Well it seems the New York delegation is gearing up to discuss the gubernatorial race. Your father and I are sponsoring a fundraiser to help pay off some of the campaign debts and to replenish the coffers from the mid-year elections. Expect a call from my secretary. She’ll be contacting Charlotte soon to make sure the fundraiser is on your calendar.”
“I’ll be in touch mother.”
I hung up wondering what else I was getting myself into again. Acquisitions. Politics. I was starting to feel like a dull gal with a dull life even by my own standards.
“A Mr. Brooks Fitzgerald McKenna is here to see you, Ms. Montgomery,” Charlotte said over the intercom, startling me out of my thoughts.
I suddenly remembered I had Brooks on my calendar this afternoon. Poor Charlotte. Brooks had her calling him by his full name too. Some weird expectation of his. By now he probably heard about me going back out to the clubs after he’d escorted me home from the wedding reception. At the time I thought it was a coup, that as soon as he dropped me off, I ran right back out again. Unfortunately, I made the TMZ website the following morning. Reese Nelson and I were spotted exiting an after-hours club, our picture having been taken by one of those TMZ stalkers that prey on the rich and famous.
“Send him in Charlotte.”
Brooks sauntered in my office as if he owned the place.
“Hey Brooks, good to see you,” I said politely, extending my hand.
My effort at creating a bit of distance was wasted. Brooks pulled me into his arms, planting a wet slobbery kiss on my lips.
“You’re on my calendar today, Brooks, what can I do for you?” I said, fighting off the urge to say “ugh” out loud.
“You’ve been a busy bee, Harper,” Brooks said narrowing his eyes at me. You’ve been cheating on me behind my back again, baby.”
“Cheating on you?” I said in disbelief. “Again?”
“Bad enough I had to watch you at the wedding, fawning, curled up in the arms of that “Sugar Daddy” Nicholas Becker. But then you went out behind my back after I took you home, sneaking around with Reese Nelson of all people.” Brooks sulked.
Uh Oh. Time for me to stop relying on Brooks Fitzgerald McKenna as a future plus-one date option. He was talking as if he believed we were a couple or something.
“I told you at the wedding Brooks, I. Don’t. Do. Relationships. You know this. There’s nothing exclusive between you and me. Cheating is a strong, totally inappropriate word. We’re not in relationship.”
Talking to Brooks was equivalent to talking to a brick wall. Did the man ever listen to a word I said?
“And I told you that we make a great team baby,” Brooks said, with some weird look of pride on his face.
“And I told you I had no interest in “teaming” with you—or anybody else for that matter.” I could feel myself getting truly annoyed.
“How do you think it looks with you plastered across the Web on the arms of Reese Nelson? Not a good look, Harper. It’s the appearance of things. Folks will start to think I’m losing my touch,” Brooks snapped, his face completely solemn.
Harper this is exactly why you have to be careful with being too nice to these guys.
“I can’t have this, Harper.”
He can’t have this? Was he kidding me? Give Brooks an inch and he freaking takes a mile. I should have never slept with this fool. It was time to withhold the booty. Brooks Fitzgerald McKenna obviously didn’t know the meaning of “friends with benefits.”
“I remembered that you want to have a baby. We can make sweet baby music together, Harper.”
“We are not making sweet anything together,” I said fully stunned.
“Hell woman, I have a lot to offer. What woman in their right mind wouldn’t want to be my wife?”
“Me. I don’t,” I answered sternly.
“You know you want me. You’re just playing hard to get. And I get that. If it’ll make you feel better to play that game, I’ll go along with it for a beat. I know how you women liked to be chased.”
Blaaaah! Puke fucking city. I was seeing red now. Crack a couple of eggs on my head and they would fry right about now.
“Now look here, Brooks,” I said, swinging out of my chair so hard the Joduku Plastics folder hit the floor. All of the file’s contents scattered to the floor at both our feet. I had lost my thought.
“Here let me help you with this,” Brooks said squatting down on the floor at the same time as me. He was a whole lot faster than me, gathering the file papers. “You’re buying a plastics company?” he said, with surprise. “What the hell for?”
“None of your business,” I snapped, rushing frantically to scoop the papers out of his view. “It’s confidential,” I said, grasping the fallen papers that were out of his reach.
Not only was Brooks a social-climbing-get-on-my-nerves-pain-in-the-ass, he was predictably nosy as well.
“Listen, honey buns. We can turn this little plastics thing into “our” business. I’ve got a few connections in Japan at high places.”
“No thanks. This is a private family matter.”
“You know the Japanese have a tendency to manipulate their currency. I could help you with this. My textile business does import/export transactions with Japan all the time.” Brooks spoke as if he was in charge of the world. He still hadn’t let go of the folder as we both rose together from the floor.
“I’m very capable of managing a foreign acquisition all on my own, thank you. The Montgomery Consulting Group has a deep bench of executives capable of handling international transactions,” I sputtered, snatching the folder out of his hands and pushing all the documents back in the folder haphazardly. “This is a private matter, Brooks,” I reiterated.
I slipped the file out of his view, moving back to my swivel chair. I sat down behind my massive oak desk, sighing loudly.
“Baby you don’t see my value yet,” Brooks harped as he plopped down in the chair across from me. “I guess I’m going to have to step up to the plate and prove my worth to you, Harper,” he said, winking. “We can marry our businesses as well as each other, baby.”
“I believe we’re done here Brooks. I’ve got other pressing matters to tend to today.”
Brooks hadn’t grasped that I had nothing more to say on this subject and that this visit was over.
“I don’t
mind chasing you, baby. I have no intention of letting you get away. You know you want me. But I’m only going to wait on you but for so long,” he persisted.
Thank God, Charlotte knocked on the door and entered the room.
“You’re going to be late for your next appointment Ms. Montgomery. Would you like for me to reschedule?”
“No thank you, Charlotte. Mr. McKenna is leaving. Aren’t you Brooks?”
“Yes I am,” Brooks said, rising out of his chair.
I could have kicked myself for dropping the Joduku Plastics file on the floor giving Brooks access to the data. I couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t disclose confidential company information.
“You’re looking quite lovely today Charlotte,” Brooks said, flirtatiously. “I love your hair that way.”
Brooks grabbed a fallen curl of Charlotte’s hair, slipping it behind her ear as he sauntered out the double doors. Did he just flirt with Charlotte? God, this man knows no bounds. He must be out of his mind to think I would ever think of marrying his philandering ass.
“Ugh. God, I cannot believe this man,” I said out loud to Charlotte with indignation.
I watched Brooks exit the office waiting area. Poor Charlotte. She was completely flushed, looking like she didn’t know which way was up. I shook my head, heading back into my office to grab my things.
“Ms. Montgomery, before you go, Swann Galleries called,” Charlotte said hurriedly, blowing her breath out in a rush. “Another Ernie Barnes piece suddenly hit the market. It’s a limited edition original. The gallery would like to know if you’re interested in making a purchase. The piece is up for auction.”
“Ummm not really. My last art purchase was a revenge purchase. You know like one of those things you don’t really need, but you get so much satisfaction when you buy it. And for what I paid for it, I had a whole lot of revenge going on. You get me?”
“Not really. But I think I understand.”
I was trying to tell Charlotte, as nicely as I could, that I only brought that my last piece of artwork to piss off Nicholas. I knew how badly he wanted it. I think Charlotte understood my unstated words. She’s a smart young woman. But sometimes I’m wasn’t sure how well she reads in between the lines.
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