He looks down at his overly expensive watch. “I should get going to the office to get this meeting out of the way. Already as is, I’m going to hit bad traffic.”
“Why don’t you take a helicopter? Wouldn’t that be quickest? It’s not like you can’t afford it.”
He chuckles through a sip of his coffee. “I thought about it. I love driving, though, even if I hit some traffic.”
After paying, he walks me a few blocks to the bakery.
I was able to get Daphne to open so I could enjoy a morning with Harrison before he left for the next three nights.
He tugs my hand to get my attention. “Can you do something for me?” He kisses the back of it, and with his lips pressed against my skin, he looks me in the eye. “When I’m gone, I want you to ask your mom for a day off. You more than deserve it, and everyone’s back, so she has coverage.”
I nod. “Okay.” Then smile wide.
He has no idea. Mom already gave me the rest of the week off after today. So I’ll have plenty of time to rest and recuperate.
He wraps his arms around me. “You already have off, don’t you?”
I smile and nod again. “Yup. After today, I have off until I teach class on Monday. So when you get home, we’ll have the last three days uninterrupted besides your work.”
“That sounds perfect. I’ll try to shift things around so we can spend all the time together.” He pauses and thinks. “What will you do when I’m gone if you have off?”
“Number one priority is getting back to my morning routine of walks in Central Park. There’s a music installation of classical composers at The Met I’d like to see, and I’m sure one night I’ll grab dinner with Becks.”
“Mmm,” he says, unimpressed.
I roll my eyes, and he calls me dramatic. “What is it, Harrison?”
“Nothing. Just be careful, please. The only times I’ve ever seen you drink a lot is with Becks.”
His phone beeps. “Shit. This meeting just got moved.” He calls Robert to get him now.
“If you want to wait, I’ll go to The Met with you.” He leans down and brushes his lips against mine.
I’m going to miss kissing him the most. We’re both addicted.
“You hate classical music.”
“Yeah, it’s shit.” He laughs and shrugs. “It puts me to sleep. What can I say.”
“It’s fine, I’ll go with Mom,” I tell him, and then we stand looking at each other for a few moments.
Something’s been on my mind the last few days, and I can’t hold it in any longer. “Harrison?”
He runs his hand down my face, cupping my neck. “Yes, beautiful?” I lean into his hold, hoping I never have to forget this feeling.
“What happens when Claudina comes home?”
He stills and sighs, taking a deep breath like he’s relieved I asked it. “I don’t have the answers for you, Juliette. I wish I did because, trust me, I’ve been thinking about it too.”
Robert pulls the Bentley up to the curb, and the mood is gloomy. Maybe it was the wrong time to bring it up, but I couldn’t stand holding it in a moment more.
We kiss goodbye, and then Harrison takes a step back. “We’ll figure it out, baby. Okay?”
I nod. “See you in three days.” I wave and blow him a kiss.
Once he’s out of sight, I turn and bump straight into my mom.
“Are you okay, my love?”
