Page 285 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

He has me feeling hopeful. Despite not knowing what comes next, about the pregnancy, or even what we’re going to binge-watch, I don’t mind the unknown so much when I’m with him.

Simply because he’s here.

He’s shown up.

Literally.Well, four or so years later, but I feel like I’m seeing what he meant now. As if he knew to wait until now. As if he was waiting until I was ready to welcome him into my heart. My life.

“You wait and see, Tatum. This isn’t over. This is just our beginning.”

I can still hear him making that promise—so sure of himself. That promise he made back in Catalina was kept. He did that.For me. He says what he means and stands by it.

Other than Natalie, Harrison Decker is the only person to make me believe he’ll be there for me. No matter what. Maybe that’s why I’m not so stressed.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this much for someone. He’s given so much of himself to me that I’m not sure if he’s received the same from me in return.

These haven’t been baby steps. They’ve been millimeters I’ve been taking. That time is over. I’m ready to take a leap with him.

I turn my head abruptly to the man beside me in bed when a bulb goes off inside my head, shining light on how I treat him. I think he’s right. I have been holding the past sins and pains from every other guy I dated against you, for my parents not being around, and the loneliness I’ve felt from being left behind. I lightly caress his cheek. I made a mistake missing out on great he is all the years.

The slumbering sounds of the sleeping giant next to me have me clicking off the TV and snuggling to his side. Even without waking up, his arm tightens around me, subconsciously making the effort he mimics when he’s awake. It’s too soon for me to dive into my emotions all the way, but I’m feeling buoyant. I giggle, amusing myself.

Checking the time, I see it’s after midnight. Not late compared to my partying days, but maybe those days are behind me. More nights in bingeing shows,and Harrison, is much more entertaining. I close my eyes, relishing the feel of my future beside me.

My night is restless, and I toss and turn, memories from Catalina coming back from years ago . . .

Catalina - Four and a half years ago . . .

Moving quietly around the room, I toss the rest of my belongings into my suitcase and lock it, careful not to wake him. I could walk out of here. It’s been fun, a good time spent with him, but flings are meant to stay at the scene, not trail people back to their real lives.

My instinct is to run and not prolong the inevitable. But my heart keeps intervening and keeping my feet where they are. Relationships require responsibility, and that’s just not something I’m into. Why would I give up my freedom to stay home all the time?

Harrison seems like the kind of guy who likes to go out, so maybe that wouldn’t be an issue. Him living on the West Coast is, though. I don’t know one couple who has survived a long-distance relationship. My mom even gave up her own goals to travel with my dad to support him.

Yeah, I’m not interested in dating someone I can’t go to bed with each night or have to get off by hooking up over video conferencing. The cards are stacked against us, and my gut tells me to run.

It’s what I do best—avoid putting myself in situations that are doomed to fail.Avoid giving my heart to someone for them to just leave me, too.Not. Doing. That.

He sleeps so peacefully that I go closer just to admire him once more.Is he worth trying for, though? Was he disappointed with the pact because he considered us worth more than one night?With the light from the bathroom shining a path to the bed, I give him a kiss on the head and then bend to press my lips to his one last time.

My heart is racing, and my mind is in conflict. I grab the pad of paper and pen with the hotel logo from the nightstand and scribble my number quickly on it. Folding it in half and then in half again, I move to his shirt and tuck it in the front pocket.

I may have made a rash decision with the pact, but I’ve given him a way out. I don’t know if he’ll take it, but I need to believe that what is meant to happen will in the end.

New York - Four and a half years later . . .

“I don’t understand?”

We had four great days. I was starting to get used to having Harrison around. And then California called, and he was right back on a plane. I miss his kisses all over my body and seeing his sleepy face in the morning. Although I like that we’re now texting, I prefer the old-fashioned way of communicating with him—face-to-face.

Five days apart from each other and we’ve resorted to him miming a fork and bringing it his mouth over live video. He says, “It’s food that’s served to you.”

I start to laugh. Fine. I’m busted. I still find him not only amusing, but quite endearing in his efforts to entertain me. “I know what dinner is, Harrison, but I’m lost on the date part.”

“Ohhh. That’s easy. It’s when someone, aka the date, comes to your building and picks you up to take you out for food, drinks, sex, whatever you want.”

I roll my eyes, and then start laughing. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

“I actually do know that. One of my nannies used to call me irredeemable to my face and then would tell my mother what a delightful child I was.”

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