Page 303 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

I look down at the rug, tracing the lines of the design. I don’t like to lie. Some agents will say anything to get the listing and do anything to close a deal, even if it means tricking a client or an interested buyer. I won’t lower my morals to sell a property. “I’m dating her. That was actually our first date.” When she doesn’t say anything but sits back as if she’s ready to hear the story, I confess everything. “I was in charge of bringing her to a party that Natalie was throwing for her. It was a surprise party for her birthday. But then I got this chance, and she told me to take it. We detoured here before going to the party next door.”

We sit in a silent standoff for what feels like minutes. Rationally, I know it’s only seconds, but the heat is getting to me under the collar, tempting me to tug it to get more air.

Dolores’s features have a hard line to them, but they soften, and she says, “Thank you, Harrison, for confirming I can trust you.” She smiles, and I take a deep, relieved breath. “I’m giving you the listing because I know you’re not only trying to make a name for yourself in the city but you also come highly regarded by your friends. And I like Natalie. I also like to help others when I can, and I think this listing will give you a nice reference when you sell it over listing for seventeen million.”Oh thank God.

I was going eighteen, but seventeen gives me flexibility.

She adds, “The only condition is that I don’t want you to lie to me. If you can agree to those terms, you’ve got yourself a listing.”

Standing, I hold out my hand. “I won’t lie to you, Dolores. And I truly appreciate your trust in me. I do agree to your terms, and thank you. Very much. You won’t regret this, I promise.”

“I like hungry agents. They work harder than the established ones. Get me over this listing, Harrison, and I’ll introduce you to everyone in this city.” She stands and shakes my hand.

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

When I reach the sidewalk and the door closes behind me, I fist pump and punch the air. “Yes. Yes. Fucking yes!” I turn around and jump out of the way of an older lady in her speeding electric chair. “Sorry.” That doesn’t temper my excitement.

I run up the stairs to tell Nick and Natalie, finding them on the back patio playing backgammon. “I got the listing,” I say, pulling out a chair next to Natalie.

“You did?” she asks, a big smile on her face. “Dolores can be tough, but I knew she’d love you.”

Reaching over, she rubs her fingers on my collar. “Is that makeup?”

“Apparently. I need fresh clothes. I can’t believe I had to meet her wearing this.”

“Why did you?” Nick asks, moving his pip. “You could have changed clothes first. Your stuff is upstairs.” His eyes peek up at his wife, and there’s a mischievous look in them. “Sorry, babe.”

She huffs. “This baby has scrambled my brain. I never used to lose, and now it’s all I do.” She’s still not showing, but there’s a fullness to her face that wasn’t there before. It looks good on her, and has me imagining those small changes on Tatum.

Angling toward me, she asks, “Can we talk about Tatum and the pregnancy?”

“Sure, I could use the outside perspective.”

The game is forgotten as her attention redirects to me. “I’m happy for you both. I’m just a little shocked. Or a lot, honestly. It’s a big change from us having to referee the space if you both occupied it to you guys having a baby together. It makes me nervous.”

“I hear what you’re saying, and there’s not a thought in there that I haven’t shared. But I want this baby.”

“What about Tatum?” she asks as if that’s even a question.

“I want the full package, which includes her. I care about her, Nat. I get where you’re coming from. Tatum and I don’t make sense on the surface or from our history. But when we’re together, we do. We click.”

Nick takes a drink of his beer and then says, “We don’t want either one of you to get hurt, but Natalie and I also know we can’t butt in or protect you. We just have to air the initial concerns, which you’ve now addressed.”

Natalie gently rests her hand on my arm. “You know I adore you, Harrison, but I worry where that leaves us if something goes wrong.”

I wasn’t expecting to have this conversation, but there’s a lot of things I didn’t expect to happen when I came to New York, mainly to fall for Tatum all over again. Fall? My stomach tightens because I may not have said anything to her or have to answer to my friends, but I can’t lie to myself.

My relationship might appear to be only a few weeks old, but we were something special back in Catalina. I knew that then, which is how I was so sure she’d be in my life again. We’ve had some obstacles in our way, but the road ahead has been cleared, and I’m not taking any shortcuts when it comes to her.

“Your allegiance lies with Tatum. I understand that, and I’d never come between the two of you, but maybe we’re supposed to work out. Maybe this baby is a sign that we’re tied together in this universe,” I say.

“You sound like my mom,” Nick says under a chuckle.

“Cookie might understand what’s going on better than I can, but I know what I feel and what I see.”

Although Natalie’s hand had already returned to the table in front of her, her attention and the joy in her eyes shine on me. “I can’t ask for anything more than someone who loves her through the good and the bad. Do you love Tatum?”

And there it is. All I have to do is tell the truth, but I should tell the woman I love first. “I hope you understand that I need to talk to Tatum before I talk to you guys.”

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