by S. L. Scott
“I’m always right. Did you confirm her birthday? It’s in June, correct?”
“How’d you know that?”
“Because you’re an Aries and the most complementary sign is Gemini. Leave it to destiny to cause a ruckus between you two. We’re also in retrograde, but I don’t like to tempt fate by focusing on that too much.”
I wash the muffin down. She asks, “What are you doing wasting time here anyway? I have a feeling you both need to lower your walls and enjoy what’s inside.”
She’s right. It’s not great revelation stuff. “Boiling it down, we need to stop being asses to each other.”
“That sounds like a good start.”
I go around the island to embrace her. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Walking back to my car, I start to mumble because she makes a whole lot of sense without saying much.
There are two things that are true:
There’s no winning Tatum’s heart until she takes the walls down. It’s a losing battle otherwise.
She’s doing the best she can. So am I. I hope we can meet in the middle from here on out.
Will she come around? I want her in my life. She’s my future. They are my future.
She rang when I was with Madison, but then hung up. And hasn’t called since. She still isn’t ready.
What if waiting isn’t enough?
~ Tatum - July ~
My office door opens, and Natalie twirls in. “I need a favor.”
I set my pen down on the pink pad and say, “Go on . . .”
“I have a client who wants a whirlwind weekend with his girlfriend, soon-to-be fiancée if all things go as planned.”
“My favorite.”
“You know why that is? Because you’re a romantic.”
“No, Natalie. I’m a professional event architect. Instead of going down memory lane, talk to me. Give me the W’s.”
“The sweetest couple ever. Surprise proposal. This Saturday. Catalina. Because they love each other.”
Dropping my head to the side, I ask, “Catalina?”
“Come on. Don’t poo-poo the idea. It’s a very romantic location.”
I give her that. But that doesn’t make it easier. Memories of my time with Harrison are always swimming around in my head. This only makes it worse. “Anyway, I have it all set up. I just have to fly out there and make sure it goes off without a hitch.”
“So, what’s the favor?”
She only has to look at me before I’m shaking my head. “No. No. No. No. No. Natalie. Not this one. Not this time.”
“Please? Nick and I have to go to Juni’s candle lighting ceremony on Saturday.”
“What the hell is that?”
“It apparently shows the baby the way out.”
I cover my mouth. It was that or gasp, so I let that confusion we’re all feeling go. “What? Nooo.”
“Yes. And since we said we’ll be at the birthing center with her, we had to say yes to the candle ceremony. Juni wanted me to give you your invitation.”
She holds it out for me. “When do I fly out?”
It’s been a month since I’ve spoken to Harrison, and every landmark we pass reminds me of a certain someone. When I arrive at the hotel on Catalina, my heart’s racing, a little sweat’s gathering under the collar, and I’m feeling sick at the scene of my crime of passion. I’d forgotten how gorgeous this place is.
I’m told to settle in, so I grab my case and head across the lobby to find a chair.
Sitting there minding my own business, a woman next to me says, “Is it illegal to pick poppies since it’s the state flower?”
“I don’t think so. I actually got them as a gift once.” My heart clenches around the absence that’s felt. “It was actually really sweet. He traveled all the way from California with them. They were raggedy with missing petals. Bent and broken. Still so romantic.”
“That does sound sweet. I’m trying to help my brother, actually. He wants to surprise his girlfriend.”
“That’s what I’m here for too. Well, not your brother. That would be weird, but a surprise proposal.”
“If you knew him, it wouldn’t be weird. He’s an amazing man and even better brother.”
I sit back, realizing she’s going to talk about him whether I’m a part of the conversation or she’s sitting alone. It’s endearing to hear how close they are, though.
“You sound very close. That’s sweet.”
“We are. He was the first one I called when I was in a car accident a few years back. He didn’t leave my hotel room unless we forced him out shopping.”
I close the small pad on my lap and drop it and the pen in my bag so I can give her my full attention.
“My daughter spent her first birthday in the hospital. All due to my psycho ex,” she says.
“What happened?”
“He threatened to hurt me if I didn’t get in the car. He was saying he just wanted to talk, but I shouldn’t have trusted him. I was just trying to do the right thing since Harlow’s his daughter.”
My tummy clenches. “You got in the car?”
“My brothers had warned me, but I didn’t listen.” Her eyes go to the screensaver on her phone—the cutest little dark-haired beauty. She glances at me, the emotion raw on her face as if this is a fresh memory.
“How is she doing now?”
“She’s amazing. Doesn’t remember anything, but it’s better that way. He crashed us right into a tree. He died instantly. I only survived because of my family.”
I glance back at the photo again. She has the prettiest blue eyes, and I’m reminded of . . . don’t go there. “Sounds like you got one of the good ones.”
A hotel attendant comes up to her and hands her a card key. “Ms. Decker, your room is ready.”
“Decker?” I say unable to keep my mouth shut. “I know a Harrison Decker.” I’m mastering the art of sounding like a crazy person.
Jumping to her feet, she says, “That’s my brother. Well, one of them. I have three. Wow, crazy small world.” The smile falters, and she says, “You’re Tatum.”
I stand and nod. Now I’m not sure what to say or do. My gut tells me to run, but my heart tells me to stay.
“He told me all about you,” she says, and then laughs lightly as if recalling a fond memory. “I remember him saying your soul was golden the first time he met you. That was when we were in the hospital.”
“What do you mean?”
“Talk about timing. Harry came off the best weekend of his life, and the minute the ferry docked, I called him. He spent the next three months nursing me back to health while sleeping night after night in Harlow’s hospital room. You were all he talked about. The days became weeks, and those became months.” She reaches to touch my hand wrapped around my suitcase handle. “I feel like I owe you an apology.”
“You don’t.”
“I took away his soul mate, so yeah, a lot of guilt is carried with that.”
“But we found our way back to each other,” I say without a second thought. That just rolled off my tongue so naturally.
She smiles. “He feels the same—two souls that are forever connected.” Turning to look around, she returns her gaze to mine, and she says, “It’s not too late.” I have no idea why his sister thinks that. Harrison has made it pretty clear. He wants to surprise his girlfriend. And now, he’s here to start a new life with someone else. Why does his sister think it’s not too late? It’s almost so cruel being here now. Knowing that he has moved on. Has fallen in love with someone else.
We’ve bonded on some level, two strangers who were there for each other, so I feel a hug is in order. We embrace each other, and I whisper, “I would have done anything for your brother.”
“Then let him be a part of your life.” That ship has sailed. Or has it? What did she mean suggesting that he still cares about me . . . two souls that are forever connected? Have I got my wires crossed? Is she here for another brother?
If so, maybe what I should have said was, “I would do anything for your brother.” Present tense. Because I still love him. Want him.
When she leaves, I decide right then and there that we’ve had too many signs. That man is my soul mate, and I can’t let him get away.
But first, I need to handle this surprise proposal.
32
Harrison
“Harry?”
“In here.” I straighten my shirt, trying to flatten a wrinkle across the front. I’m keeping it casual but classy. As instructed.
My sister’s heels click across the Saltillo tiles of the suite as she rushes into the room where I’m staying. Fortunately, I’m dressed. “What’s up?” I ask.
Out of breath, she leans one hand on the doorframe as if that will help her catch it. “I just met Tatum.” The name alone gets my heart pumping to an erratic rhythm.
Pressing my palm to my chest, I ask, “What do you mean you just met Tatum?”
“She’s here. In the lobby right now.” The words don’t make sense, and my expression must match that confusion because she goes on to say, “We just got to talking and—”
“Does she know I’m here?” What the hell is going on? Why didn’t Natalie come? She knew I’d be here, so it makes it awkward that she sent Tatum instead. Or did Tatum volunteer? That doesn’t seem logical since the woman won’t talk to me on the phone or in text, so why would she want to see me in person? What is she up to?
I’d hired STJ because I like to give my friends business, but was that a mistake? I don’t want today to turn into a spectacle. It’s important that it goes off without a hitch.
Maddie’s arm comes down, and she moves closer, picking up a bottle of my cologne and plucking the cap off. “Of course not, but we quickly realized who the other person was.”
“How?”
“The front desk clerk called me Ms. Decker. That got Tatum’s attention.”
“I bet it did,” I mumble, walking to the open patio door that leads to a private balcony, the same balcony where I made love to her under the stars and . . . made love, created love, fell in love. That’s what we did that night. God, I miss her. I miss her smile, her laughter, her voice, her touch . . . I just miss her. And I hate that I have no idea when that will end. If she’ll ever trust me enough to love her with everything I have.
“She doesn’t seem upset, Harry.”
“She’s not upset? Are you sure you met the right Tatum? My Tatum? My Tatum is always upset. It’s a part of her charm.”
“Sounds like it.” My sister’s expression softens. “And can you call her your Tatum a few more times. I don’t think the people in the back heard you.”
“Funny.”
“Most call me delightful. As for your Tatum, from what you’ve told me over the years and from just meeting her, I can unequivocally give you my endorsement. She’s a perfect match for you.”
After my eyebrows shoot up, I have to get better about controlling my reactions, especially if Tatum is here to tell me this break is better than our relationship. “Geez, thanks, sis. But tell me, you got that from just meeting her for thirty seconds in the lobby of the hotel?”
“No, we were there a few minutes, shared stories, and became fast friends before we figured out who the other person was.” Fast friends. This would have been great news if I were still with her, but now my sister gets time with the woman I would give anything to have. She smells the cologne and then replaces the cap. “That smells good. Definitely wear that for her.”
“I’m not wearing anything for her. We’re not together. Currently.”
“Currently leaves room for hope and love.” Giddy, she comes closer and starts fidgeting with my shirt. My sister has experienced the worst in life when it comes to love, but she still remains a romantic. I hope she gets the fairy tale ending she deserves. She says, “Don’t be so stubborn, Harrison. That’s what got you into this mess.”
Removing her hands, I hold them between mine. I love my sister, but this isn’t something she can fix. No matter how good her intentions. “No, what got me into this is . . .” I slow my words and hold my tongue. Releasing her hands, I think about what I really want to say, what I want to shout from the rooftops. Tatum’s having my baby, and I still haven’t told a soul. Well, other than the surprise party crowd. But my family doesn’t know anything. Nick and Andrew know, and they’re not telling anyone.
I need to respect Tatum and her wishes, so until she’s ready to tell the world, I need to remain silent on the matter.
Not the matter, the baby. Our baby.
A pinch in my chest has me wondering if I’m having a stroke or a heart attack or just can’t seem to find my rhythm these days. I rub my hand over to ease the pain. It doesn’t work. Never does. It showed up the day Tatum left and stayed. To say I have suspicions that the two events are related is an understatement.
I turn my back to the balcony and the memories we made out there. Not that I can escape them in this room, which is the same one where we spent the night together. It was hers, but being back here, I can’t help but feel the ghosts of us together.
Madison has me wanting to leap from the room to rush down and find Tatum to tell her how I feel—the good and bad—laying it all out on the table. I’m not sure if we’re a good match, as my sister said, or we mold easily and overstayed our welcome. What I do know is that I’ve missed her so fucking much this past month that it’s not natural to feel this kind of constant ache in my soul.
But this must be handled very carefully. I can’t miss any steps when it comes to Tatum. We did that the first time, and look how that ended.
“It doesn’t matter, Maddie. Sounds like you got fairly deep into conversation about our relationship, though. Why would she tell you all of this? Not only are you a stranger but you’re my sister,” I say.
“Maybe because I am your sister. Maybe she knows I’ll tell you everything. Maybe, Harrison, you use that heart of yours and let it guide you for a while instead of trying to find a reason for everything. Love is an emotion. It doesn’t always make sense.” Checking her watch, she adds, “We need to leave. Are you ready?”
“I’ve invested too much time and energy into this to turn back now. This is about doing what’s right for the family. It’s time I do my duty.”
She comes to me and straightens the collar of my white shirt. “You look very handsome.”
“It’s not about me. Let’s go.”
33
Tatum
“You tricked me.”
“It’s not a trick when you love him,” Natalie starts, completely unashamed by her actions.
Shifting the phone to my other ear, I taste a cucumber lobster bite before the caterer finishes loading the tray. I’m starved, having to work a proposal event for the father of my child to another woman, and my best friend is denying all culpability in the matter. I say, “That’s why the contact information was missing. I asked for it how many times? Until I got here, I had no idea who our client was. It’s not totally foreign to work with event representatives for the location like we’re doing here, but you knew, didn’t you?” Pointing at the appetizer cucumber bites, I whisper, “Add a hint of sea salt. Thanks.”
“Just give him this one chance, Tate.”
“I’ve given him two. But apparently, I get no credit for that. It’s all about innocent Harrison. He’s a big boy. He helped create this mess, and he can dig himself out of it. Next, you’ll harp on about a third time.”
“Third time’s a charm. I know firsthand with Nick.”
I grab a piece of bruschetta and walk out to the proposal site. “Natalie, do you hear what you’re saying?” She’s got to be off her rocker. “You want me to ruin a beautiful marriage proposal that you designed and organized for my own selfish gains.”
“Yes. I do. Call me a horrible person, but if it makes everyone involved happy, why wouldn’t you do this?”
Everyone? I can’t imagine the woman he’s about to propose to
is going to be too happy about this. My friend’s hormones are definitely clouding her better judgment. “Natalie, our business could be destroyed if I purposely ruin the event.”
“Love is powerful. Everyone will understand. I bet most will even support it.”
“You’re talking crazy. You need to get to the candle ceremony, and I need to check on the flower arrangements for the dinner.”
“Tatum?”
My patience has worn thin, but I know it’s not with her. It’s coming, the breakdown I’ve been dreading for a month, the one I raise my chin above and put off. “Natalie, I need to go do my job.”
“Tate—”
I hang up. I’ve never hung up on her, but this is taking things too far. Heading for the door, I tell the caterer, “It looks great. Thank you.” I rush outside, wishing it was winter to help cool my heated face. I’m met with the heat of the day instead.
With my suppressed emotions bubbling to the surface, I struggle to hide behind a stiff upper lip. I can’t do this. Why would my best friend put me in this position? I’m strong on the outside, but this is just too much. I walk the length of the dinner table, checking to make sure everything’s in place.
He may break my heart and me while he’s at it, but I won’t let him ruin my reputation. It doesn’t matter that I was so easily replaced. He’ll be in LA, and I’ll be back in the city. We’ll live our own lives separately. The baby is the only reason we need to have any contact, and as much as I never imagined I’d be raising a child alone, I can do it. That way, we don’t ever have to come face-to-face again.
I grab a bottle of water from the bar and leave to go back to my room. There has to be a way to avoid having Harrison’s family bear witness to my heartbreak. Who can I call to step in for me?
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, knowing I’m not answering any calls, but texts are a necessary evil. Cookie Christiansen: I heard you were in LA. I’d love to see you if you have time in your busy schedule.
