She laughed. “That’s okay. I’ve actually got a question about your mother, and I’m sure she’ll be the first to admit that sheisinteresting.”
Sterling chuckled through a groan. “That’s true. She really would be. Ask away, though I can’t guarantee I can get her involved in any charities you might be pimping, and I also don’t know if she’d be willing to appear in one of your wellness videos.”
Megan waved him off. “It’s not that, although if she ever does want to be on my channel, I’d love to have her, but I was actually wondering about her and Regina Van Alen.”
I nearly choked on my own tongue. Suspicion tightened my insides and I snapped my gaze toward her, wondering why she would ask about that. What were the odds she would show up here tonight and start talking about Aurelia’s family without even knowing the connection between us, but asking the exact questions I wanted answers to?
Sterling frowned. “You were? Why?”
Megan shrugged. “Aurelia, her daughter, and I have been friends for ages. When I told her I’d be coming here tonight, she seemed surprised. She mentioned that she didn’t think Regina and CC got along, so I got curious.”
My brother sighed but shrugged a shoulder. “All I know about it is that CC has serious issues with Regina. I don’t know the details, but it sounds like they were close back in high school and something happened. They had some kind of major falling out and they haven’t really spoken since.”
I sipped my whiskey, letting it seem like a casual interest while mentally cataloging every detail. If I played this right, this coincidence might work to my advantage.
“It must’ve been one heck of a falling out,” Laney commented lightly. “CC will talk the hind leg off a donkey about anything. If she hasn’t said any more than that, whatever happened must’vebeen serious. It’s not like her to keep her opinions about people quiet.”
She wasn’t wrong. Something about this entire situation felt off. Megan asking the questions I’d wanted to ask. CC not giving even Sterling any details.
Sterling repeated that all he knew was that whatever had happened, it had happened decades ago. Then they moved on to a different topic. I finished my drink and excused myself to get a new one, but my fingers were itching to dial Aurelia’s number.
Later that night, when I was on my way home, I finally gave in to the urge to call her. That entire situation with Megan had set off alarm bells in my mind, and while I didn’t think I’d given anything away, Aurelia and I needed to talk.
“Hello?” Her voice came on the third ring, a little breathless. “Harrison? Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“Hey,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual. “Yeah, I do, but I was wondering if you’re up for a visitor?”
She paused. “You want to come over to my place? Now?”
“Yep. Can I?”
There was another pause, then a warm, tiny sigh that made my chest tighten. “Yeah. Sure. Are you okay? You sound a little strange.”
“I’m on my way,” I said. “I’ll see you soon.”
I didn’t answer her other question. The truth was that I wasn’t really okay, but I wasn’t about to admit that. Suddenly though, all I wanted was to see her, not only because of what had happened tonight, but also because just hearing her voice had made me acutely aware of the fact that I hadn’t seen her since New York.
In fact, we’d hardly even spoken. As I raced into the city, it occurred to me that even though I probably really shouldn’t, I actually genuinely missed her.
CHAPTER 18
AURELIA
Ihad been towel-drying my hair when my phone lit up with Harrison’s name. I had answered and my heart started racing as we’d spoken, beating out of my chest when I realized he planned on coming over. Right now.
Less than twenty minutes later, I was buzzing him into my building wearing nothing but a robe. It wasn’t my finest hosting moment, but to be fair, he’d caught me just as I’d gotten out of the shower after eleven. I’d raced around my place, making sure there were no panties or dirty dishes lying around.
When I opened the front door to my penthouse, I was still in a state of disbelief about the fact that he was actually here, but he was undeniably real, in front of me all of a sudden. Dark hair artfully mussed, he was wearing a navy suit with a white shirt, but he’d lost his tie during the evening and there was a faint five-o’-clock shadow on his jaw.
He swept that bluish hazel gaze over me once, taking in my robe, my damp hair, and my bare feet. His eyes flicked up, looking at the space behind me like he wasn’t fazed with my state of undress at all.
“Nice place,” he said, grinning.
I cinched my belt tighter and stepped aside to let him in.
“Thanks. If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve cleaned up a little.” I lived neatly, though. Outside of occasionally shedding my clothes on my way to the shower, hence my need to check for stray panties before he’d arrived, I kept my home tidy.
The foyer opened up into a spacious living and entertainment area, a lounge, bar, and dining room leading out to a large balcony on the first floor. There was a guest room and a bathroom down here too, but the rest of my bedrooms—and the master—were upstairs.
