Page 246 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

“Impressive. I bet your father is proud.”

“He will be.” My dad is not the warm and fuzzy kind, but you know where you stand with him. I exceeded his expectations in LA after years of busting my ass, but now it’s time to repeat the process here in this city.

“Are you dating anyone?” Cookie asks.One-track mind—love.Guess there could be worse things to bide your time.

She loves to dabble in matchmaking. Nick and Andrew are proof of her skills. Do I want to be next? Tatum steps outside, already engaged in an exchange with Natalie’s brother, Jackson. She laughs, and then they embrace. My eyes return to Cookie. “Not right now.”

“What do you say I look at your stars and sign? You don’t have to follow any rules, but sometimes, it’s good to know what the universe has in store for you.”

“If the universe can tell me my fate, I’m all in.”

Cookie’s practically a second mom. She already knows when my birthday is, and I’m sure my sign. Nick and Andrew called her New Age beliefs nonsense, but I’m game. “I’m not looking for love or anything like that. I’d rather keep this focused on my professional life.”

“I don’t decide what information is returned, Harrison. I just try to decipher it.”

Corbin chuckles. “Ah. I see the Devreuxes are here.” My ears perk up, and I follow his gaze to see a couple who I can instantly tell are Tatum’s parents. Her mother has a similar shade of hair color as her daughter, and they share the same skin tone, eye shape, and high cheekbones. “I’m going to go say hi to Camille and Laurence,” Corbin Christiansen says. He gives Cookie a kiss on the cheek and heads back toward the house.

Cookie says, “You’re an Aries. Passionate and determined. Self-motivated and driven for success. You’ve always been those things. Even your wild younger years with Nick couldn’t change your traits.” Sipping her champagne, she then smiles. “Speaking of the female persuasion?—”

“Were we?” I knew it was coming, but I still take two gulps for this part of the conversation.

There’s an airiness to her laughter, a comfort found in the sound. I spent so much time at the Christiansen house growing up—eating meals, spending the day at their pool, hanging out with Nick and sometimes the whole family—that hearing her reminds me of home.

She taps my forearm with familiarity. “Oh, Harrison, you’re so funny. As for a good match, I’d look for a Gemini. They go swimmingly with Aries.”

“Why is that?”

“Compatibility, communication, and last but certainly not least when it comes to romantic relationships, sex. Aries and Geminis are perfect for each other. Of course, people fight their destinies sometimes, but if you follow your heart, it will never lead you astray.”

“Cookie?” Natalie calls from the patio and waves her over.

Cookie looks at me and smiles. Touching my arm again, she says, “Good things are in store for you, Harrison. Just be open to the signs that lead you there.”

After that conversation, I might now side with her sons and call it New Age nonsense. Signs and all those traits. With my eyes on Tatum, I drink up, realizing Cookie described the perfect woman. I’m not sure if that exists anymore.

Anyway, I prefer to control the situation. There’s no way I’m handing it over to the universe and fate.

Tatum’s laughter rings out like a bell.

Now there’s a sign . . . a sign to leave her alone.

Cookie has me pegged all wrong. I like the women I date to be independent. That’s much more attractive than clingy. Confidence is an aphrodisiac.

And those are definitely traits I see in Tatum. Although, it does make me wonder why she was so angry and determined to avoid me when I saw her two days ago. Despite her apology for lumping me in with other men and for not attempting to call me, I still want to sort through where we went wrong to see if we can get back on the right path.

Andthat’snot normal for me. I’ve never wanted that with exes or women I’ve dated a few times and have always accepted the natural end of a relationship. If we detoured or veered off track, I had no problem walking away. Yet with Tatum, it’s different and worth the effort. And I wonder if that’s because of the glimpse of excitement I experienced earlier.Her vivacity.

Tatum and Camille head in my direction, but Nick and Natalie gather the guests to sit since the food is about to be served. I walk along the long table set up in the garden, looking for my place card. Intrigued to see who Natalie sat me next to and near. I’m pretty easygoing when it comes to these types of situations, but when I see Tatum rush past me and covertly switch two cards, I’m impressed with her deviousness.

With Nick and Natalie sharing the head of the table, their moms are seated next to them and then Tatum and Jackson. Tatum is directly across from me. The sign would lead me to believe that Tatum and I aren’t too far gone if she’s sneaking around to sit closer.

The champagne glasses are already full. When everyone finds their seats, Nick stands with his glass in hand. “On this beautiful evening, I wanted to thank you for celebrating our wedding anniversary with us.” He looks down at his wife, who’s beaming up at him. “Destiny brought Natalie into my world?—”

“Stumbling, actually,” she adds.

A low murmur of laughter rolls across the table. He takes her hand. “Yes, she fell into my arms, and I couldn’t dream that this beautiful soul would see anything in me, but she did.” Speaking to her directly, he adds, “It took us three times to get things right, but once we did, there was no going back. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better match than you. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with. I love you, Natalie.” He helps her from the chair so she can stand next to him. Leaning down, he kisses her. “Happy anniversary, baby.”

Wrapping her arms around him, she stares into his eyes like he put the stars in the sky just for her. “Happy anniversary, my love.” They kiss again. Then she turns toward the table. Waggling her finger, she adds, “Nick gave me this stunning ring.” The last light of the sun hits the slim gold band of the ring on her right hand. The single pearl on top is elegant and so romantic.

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