“Son,” I say with a heavy breath. “That’s not how things work.”
“Of course it is.”
“No.” I shake my head. “It’s not. There’s a reason people speak vows at weddings. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer. You can’t choose to love Seraphine when it’s easy for you and kick her to the curb when things get tough.”
“Why not? That’s what you did with Miranda.” He frowns.
“I did not kick Miranda to the curb,” I say sternly. “The divorce was her idea—”
“Yeah, because you’re married to your job first.”
I hold his gaze. There’s anger in those eyes. It’s not worth fighting with him over this. He’ll have to learn the hard way, I suppose. I’ll just have to make sure Seraphine is prepared enough to handle him when he comes at her. She needs confidence. Not once has she made it seem like she wants Harrison back, and I won’t let her go back to him over a weak moment.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I don’t want you to get in the way.”
“Why in the world would I get in the way?”
“No idea, but something tells me you will. She’s been different since she’s been working for you. Ever since her father died. It’s good, but it’s borderline worrisome.”
What in the world is he talking about?
“I just want you to know that I intend to get back with her, and hopefully that won’t cause an issue with her working for you.”
“It won’t,” I say, though I’m growing more confused by the moment.
Harrison and I don’t havethiskind of relationship. This is the most he’s talked to me about someone he’s dating, or wants to date. He hardly told me anything about Seraphine before, but now he wants to lay this all out for me? Nothing about it makes sense, and I can’t be sure why it’s happening at all. Did he expect me to help him? Be his wingman or something? That absolutely will not happen. Seraphine deserves much better than what my son can give her. And it comes down to me having to show her that.
Chapter Twenty
Seraphine
Elliot got stuck late on a conference call, so I offered to head down and pick us up some lunch. Mostly because I needed to get out of the room before I combusted.
I sat across from him at his desk while he spoke and listened to those on the call with him. Of course, they didn’t know I was there. The dark looks he kept shooting my way were enough to have me crawling out of my skin. The more he looked at me, the more I wanted to put on a show for him. Before that happened, I had to get out of there. So, I wrote him a note and slid it to him, letting him know I’d go get food.
He held up a finger, tugged open his drawer, and handed me his credit card that he took from his wallet. If he weren’t on a call, I would have argued. But I didn’t want to make a scene in front of whoever he was meeting with.
The cool air is refreshing, bringing my body temperature down to normal. I go to the sub shop and order us each a suband get myself a brownie. I recently bought us reusable water bottles that I fill from the water fountain in the office multiple times a day. Elliot told me he didn’t even know they were there. I make sure he uses them now, so we aren’t wasting plastic. It also ensures we both get a good intake of water daily.
It takes about twenty minutes to get the food, and then I’m hurrying back to the office. As the elevator doors are closing, the car already cramped, someone shoves their hand in to step on. It’s Harrison.
He smiles when he sees me. “I thought that was you.”
I smile back. “I do work here.”
He moves in close to me and I bunch my shoulders to make more room. It’s hot and stuffy in here, the mix of colognes and perfumes making a noxious scent.
I’d already scanned my card to get to the top floor, and I’m grateful when the last person gets off on the forty-third and the rest of the ride up is roomier. That doesn’t stop Harrison from standing on top of me though.
“Let me take you out for dinner tonight.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I’m working.”
