Champagne Showers (14 page)

Looking at myself in the mirror, I’m happy with what I see in the reflection.  Despite my deep fatigue, I look sharp and professional with a slight glow to my skin. I think the petal pink short-sleeved silk blouse I’ve chosen gives my complexion a slight blush that is alluring. I did a deep condition on my hair so it has extra shine today and I even used my barrel curling iron to add some soft waves. I tuck the button down blouse into a black high-waist pencil skirt, with a silver chain belt at my waist and my favorite pointed toed black suede heels.  I finish it off with a simple pair of silver hoop earrings and a silver pounded metal cuff on my wrist.  I add a slathering of pink gloss on my lips and glance at the clock. It’s time get going. Time to see Harrison.

As I head out into the lobby, I feel my phone vibrating in my blazer pocket.  That will have to wait. I need to replenish my business card stash so have decided to stop by my office around the corner to grab them before I head to the opening. I love having my office so close. I counted one day and it’s about 30 steps from the front door of my loft lobby to the front door of my little office. This is especially nice when wearing heels. I unlock the front door, push it inward and the next thing I know, my right foot flies out from under me and I fall to the hard cement floor with a thud! Laying there for a minute on the cold floor on my back, I make a mental pain assessment.

The back of my head throbs; pain radiates all the way down from my head through my back down to my right hip and ending at my ankle. Only I would have a slip and fall on such an important morning. I slowly push up on my right elbow, so far so good, I move slightly to bring my right leg under me and realize the pain isn’t really that bad. I continue to stand and aside from some aches and pain, I think I will survive once I pop some Advil.

I look down at my spilled purse and see that the mail had been pushed through the slot in the door and that was what I had slid on. I reach down and grab the envelopes.  I walk over to my desk and deposit the mail into my inbox; I’ll deal with that later. I notice something of a larger envelope out the corner of my eye lying on the floor next to my handbag. Aha, that is probably the real culprit for my slip and fall. I collect the contents of my purse and restore them to their rightful place before grabbing the large airmail envelope. I look at the front and it has my address block but no cancelled postage in the corner and in the return address is the name TOWERS HOLDINGS.  The address is from Montreal. Puzzled, I pull the tab to rip open the airmail envelope.  I reach in to pull out a round trip first class ticket to the Grand Cayman Islands on Cayman Airways. What the fuck?? 

I reach my hand back in the envelope only to find it empty. That is it. Just the airline ticket. No note or anything, and only one ticket. I wonder if I’m expected to fly there alone. I look at the date on the ticket and see it is scheduled for almost two months from now and the return is for 10 days later. I have no idea what to think. On one hand, YES PLEASE!!! On the other, I hardly know this guy and he wants me to go away with him? Not to mention he hasn’t properly asked me to go.  A ticket slid into the door of my office is hardly a very romantic or proper way to invite a lady on a trip. I mean, he could have at least put a sticky note in with it. I don’t want to be a downer, as Simone would put it, but I do need boundaries and though this isn’t a big infraction, it’s certainly a strange message he’s sending me. It’s like he didn’t consider actually asking first, he just presumes I will want to go and more importantly, that I will be able to go.  I feel another buzz in my pocket. I reach in and notice that it is now 9:19 and if I don’t get going, the party planner is going to lose her cool, I’m sure. I slide unlock to see what all the buzzing has been about. Two missed calls from Unknown Caller, three texts from Suzanne, the party planner, and one from Harrison. As I predicted, the texts from Suzanne are frantic ‘when are you getting here?’ texts. I save Harrison’s for last. I’m immensely annoyed with him, but I can’t help the pitter patter pangs that I feel whenever I think of him.

9:11 AM

Harrison Towers

The ticket. I want some time alone in paradise with you.

Oh. Well if he is going to put it that way. YES PLEASE!

9:20 AM

Me

Somewhat of an odd way to ask me.

I hit send.

I grab the business cards out my desk, the ticket and my bag and then I lock up. Once settled into my car, I look over at the passenger seat and there is the single red rose. Wait a minute, if the surprise was the ticket, what about the flowers? Where did those come from? Interrupting my thoughts is another set of buzz, buzz, buzz, it’s a call, thinking it might be Harrison I answer the phone with a syrupy “Hi.”

Nothing.

“Hello?”

Still nothing but silence.

I look at the phone and see that it says unknown caller on the ID.

Now irritated I say, “HELLO!”

Then nothing. All I hear is a beep beep beep, which means the call has dropped.

As I replace the phone on the charger, I hear another buzz and see another text from Harrison.

9:23 AM

Harrison Towers

What is your answer Danielle?

Gulp. Did I upset him?

9:23 AM

Me

I am not sure. I need to check my schedule.

Send.

Buzz.

9:23 AM

Harrison Towers

Screw schedule. I need you to go away with me Danielle. Say yes.

Holy shit! I start to shake a little. He
needs
me to go away.  I so want to play a little hard to get, but I suspect he might not respond well if I drag this out. I’m just having such a hard time with letting myself go with the flow. For once in my life, I want to be in control and I feel like I’ve already lost control where Harrison is concerned.

I turn into the parking lot of the towers. I park my car and start to gather up my things. I hear more buzzes. I pick up my phone and see two new texts from him.

9:25 AM

Harrison Towers

Take a chance Danielle.

9:27 AM

Harrison Towers

Well?

9:28 AM

Me

Yes.

Send.

As I look over to the Rogue Building entrance, there he is with his retro looking slate blue two-piece suit, white crisp shirt, and black skinny tie. He is holding his phone and looking down. I can see a smile spread over his face and my heart skips a beat when he looks up and sees me with his piercing blue eyes and our gazes lock.

After the last of the press, photographers, and guests have finally left and the catering vans have pulled away, I scan the lobby to find Harrison standing with his back to me at the wall of windows.  I can see that he has his phone up to his ear with his left hand and his right hand rests in his pants pocket. His jacket has ridden up to where I can see the outline of his firm bottom under his suit pants. My mind slips back to New York, remembering how I grabbed his ass in the throes of passion and feeling his muscles flexing under my hands as he thrust himself into me in a fierce frenzy just as we were both about to cum. I shake my thoughts back to his butt in those slacks. I notice there are no underwear lines, must be wearing those boxer briefs. With my eyes transfixed on his butt, I fail to notice someone has entered the lobby. I hear someone behind me clear his throat.  I turn around to see Bradley standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers. He flashes me a wide Cheshire grin and advances toward me with his arm outstretched to give me the bouquet.

“Wow, Dani, you look beautiful!”

I forget all about Harrison and his boxers.

“Bradley! What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to come and congratulate you on your success!” He looks around the lobby and as he hands me the bouquet he awkwardly kisses me on the cheek.

I take a step backward.

“Um thanks. How did you know I would be here?”

He grins.

“I have my ways.”

“Humph! Unusual for you to be around on a Thursday. Are you living here now?”

“Actually I am living here now. I have renters in the house so I just bought a condo in the Pearl. Say, you live in the Pearl, don’t you?”

“You know I do Brad. So what’s this visit really about?”

“Can’t an ex-husband give support to his ex-wife?”

I click my tongue at him and grumble, “Well not unless it’s spousal support.”

“Touché.”

“Really, Brad, it’s not that I’m not happy somewhere deep inside that you’re here to congratulate me, but I’m wiped out. It was a late night and a long day.”

“Geeze Dani, you can really make a guy feel unwelcome.”

“Well, the last time we spoke I thought I was pretty clear that I don’t really feel the need to be in touch with you. We are each other’s past and I don’t really feel that I have space in my life for you.”

As I hear the words escape my lips I feel a pang in the pit of my stomach. I hope he’s buying it, because I’m not sure I believe it myself.

“Obviously I shouldn’t have come. Sorry, Dani. I just wanted to see you and show you that I’m proud of you.”

“It’s fine, Brad. I appreciate the flowers and the thought. Like I’ve said before, maybe we can meet sometime in the future for coffee or something.”

“Sure. That would be great.” He shakes his head. “Dani, I know you’re just saying that. Look, I know this is hardly the time or place but please know that I’m truly sorry for everything. Please believe me.”

In a hushed voice, I say, “Brad, you’ve already apologized and I’ve already forgiven you. Please let’s not do this here. “

I reach into my jacket pocket and hand him my business card. “Here, call me this week and we can talk if you still need to find some closure.”

He accepts the card, and then looks me in the eye. For a passing moment, I think he is holding back tears. Then he shakes himself out of it. He gives me his boyish grin. “Okay, Dani.” He flicks the card with his fingers. He leans over and gives me another kiss on the cheek.  He whispers in my ear “Who’s the mogul?” I follow his gaze and my knees almost buckle when I realize it’s Harrison he is referring to, and Harrison looks angry. I can’t imagine what has his jaw set so tight. He remains on his call and he walks toward us at a brisk clip. He walks with such confidence and presence. I can’t peel my eyes away from him. Oh no! There goes my crimson red face again. He hasn’t stopped staring at me with those piercing eyes as if he’s looking into my soul. I see out of the corner of my eye that Brad is frowning and isn’t even looking at Harrison. He’s looking at me.

Harrison stops about four feet away and tucks his phone away.  He looks at me with a raised eyebrow, and then he turns to Bradley.

“Hello, I do not believe we have met.” He reaches out to shake Bradley’s hand. 

“I’m Harrison Towers, this is my project.” He spans the lobby with his eyes.

Bradley takes his hand and gives him a firm shake.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Towers, I’m Bradley Pyne, and Danielle Pyne is my wife.” I give him a dirty look and he corrects himself, “Well, my ex-wife.”

Okay, now my face has permanently turned crimson. I turn to Bradley with my mouth gaping wide open.  What the hell did he say that for?

Harrison looks from me to Bradley, and then he gets that smirk on his face. He settles his gaze on me.

“Well,
Danielle Pyne
or is it
Austen
? I hate to interrupt you two, but I would like a chance to speak with you privately before you leave.”

I scoop my chin back up off the floor and without thinking, I blurt, “It’s Austen.” As soon as the words come out, my hand flies to cover my mouth. Shit, I hadn’t informed Bradley that I’d changed my name back. I could have sworn that I had told Harrison that. I wonder for a moment if he is trying to cause trouble.

I look at Bradley and I know instantly he is upset. He’s looking at me with that wounded puppy look he has. He clears his throat.

“When were you planning to tell me that you changed your name, Danielle?”

“Bradley, I was going to tell you, in all due time.”  I glance quickly at Harrison and notice a look that I haven’t seen yet. He looks amused while trying to mask it.

I also get the distinct impression that he is growing impatient. I take Bradley by the arm and start walking him toward the door. “Here, let me walk you out.”

At first, he doesn’t move. I tug a bit at his arm and he relents. He looks at Harrison, nods, and then says in a stiff voice, “It was a pleasure. Congratulations on your opening.”

Harrison offers his hand to Bradley. They shake again and then Harrison says, “Thank you.” He turns on his heel and walks toward the river.