“I do. I really didn’t expect to be moving so quickly.” She lightly smiled.
“The next few days are going to be busy for you. So, after the tour, you’ll officially start work here on Monday morning.”
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
I showed her around the office, introduced her to some of the staff and then took her to a small office which would become her workspace for the couple of days she’d be here. I needed to get to know her, but it was too soon to ask her to dinner. I needed to execute the rest of my plan with precision.
Chapter 14
Harper
“Oh, my God. Look at this place,” Charlotte spoke as she stepped inside my new apartment.
“Shit, Harper. This is so nice,” Laurel spoke as she set a box on the floor.
After the movers set all my furniture in the proper place, I stood and looked at the scattered boxes sitting on the floor. After getting the kitchen set up, both Laurel and Charlotte had to leave. Charlotte had to go into the salon to do a bridal party’s hair and Laurel had to leave for the airport for a last-minute business trip to Florida.
“I’ll be back tomorrow to help you put everything else away. Don’t you dare overdo it,” Charlotte spoke as she hugged me.
“I won’t.” I smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Taking in a deep breath, I knew I couldn’t rest until I unpacked a few more boxes. The one thing that bothered me was the fact that I needed to find someone to hang my TV on the wall. Maybe maintenance would do it for me. Walking down to the lobby to talk to Sammy, the doorman, my heart nearly stopped when I saw Grayson walk through the doors.
“Grayson.” I smiled as I walked over to him.
“Harper. Hi.” The corners of his mouth curved upward. “I completely forgot you were moving in today.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was passing by and I thought I’d see if Thomas was in. I need to discuss a business matter with him.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Rhodes. Thomas isn’t in today,” Sammy spoke.
“Thank you, Sammy. I’ll get in touch with him on Monday. So, are you all moved in?”
“Pretty much. I just have a lot of boxes to unpack,” I spoke. “I was coming down to see if maintenance could hang my TV on the wall for me.”
“I can do that for you.” He smiled.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that, Grayson,” I bashfully spoke.
“You don’t have to ask. But I’m doing it, anyway. Lead the way.” The grin on his face widened.
We stepped into the elevator and took it up to my apartment.
“Excuse the mess,” I said as we stepped inside. “The TV is going on this wall.”
“Do you have any tools?” He smirked.
“I have a screwdriver and a hammer.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
He let out a chuckle and pulled out his phone.
“This is Grayson Rhodes. I need you to send maintenance up to apartment 2010 immediately.”
I stood there and stared at him in his casual tan pants and white button up shirt as he exercised his authority. God, he was so handsome.
Within minutes, maintenance was at my door.
“Thanks for coming up so quickly,” Grayson spoke. “The TV is going on this wall.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Rhodes.” One of the maintenance men smiled.
“You sure know how to get things done.” I glanced at him as he stood next to me.
“It’s easy when you’re the boss.” He winked.
Once they put the TV on the wall, and it was all hooked up, Grayson reached in his pocket and tipped the maintenance men.
“Thank you. If at any time Miss Holland calls, I want you up here attending to whatever it is she needs. Understood?”
“Of course, Mr. Rhodes.” Both men smiled before walking out the door.
“Thank you, Grayson. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. I should get going. It looks like you have a lot to do.”
He walked over to the door, placed his hand on the handle and then turned to me.
“Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?” he asked.
I took in a deep breath as the butterflies in my belly started to flutter.
“I’d love to.” A smile crossed my lips.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“I’ll be ready.”
The moment the door shut I let out a deep breath. My head was spinning with happiness, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt alive. He knew I was pregnant but yet he still wanted to take me out. Maybe I was imagining things. No. He was definitely flirting with me.
I had just finished changing my clothes, and as I was running a brush through my long brown hair, there was a knock at the door. Looking at the clock, it was only six thirty. There was no way he was thirty minutes early. Walking to the door, I opened it and saw Charlotte standing there.
“Charlotte? What are you doing here? I thought you had a date tonight?”
“The douchebag cancelled.” She pushed past me. “I decided to come over and help you.” She stood there and stared at me with a narrowing eye. “Why are you dressed up?”
“Actually,” I smiled, “I have dinner plans with someone.”
“And who is this someone?” She placed her hand on her hip.
“Grayson Rhodes. He’s picking me up at seven.”
“Your boss, Grayson Rhodes?”
“Yes.” I grinned. “I saw him in the lobby earlier. He came up and had maintenance hang my TV and then he asked me to join him for dinner.”
“Harper, he’s your boss. Do you think it’s a good idea?”
“It’s only dinner, Char.”
“Okay.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “Remember the only thing you need to think about right now is that baby growing inside of you.”
“Exactly. So I better get out and have some fun while I can.” I gave her a wink.
She took a seat on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table.
“Well, just so you know, I’m sticking around. I want to meet this Grayson Rhodes for myself.”
I sighed as I rolled my eyes and walked into the bedroom. Taking one last look at myself in the mirror and slipping into my shoes, I heard a knock. Running out of my room, I ran to the door before Charlotte could open it.
“Go sit back down!” I exclaimed.
I opened the door with a smile when I saw Grayson standing there holding a bouquet of white lilies and yellow roses.
“Hi.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Hi.” I grinned.
“These are for you. I feel every new home should have fresh flowers.”
“Thank you, Grayson. They’re beautiful. Come in while I put these in a vase.”
The moment he stepped inside, Charlotte walked over to him.
“Hey there. I’m Charlotte. Harper’s best friend.” She extended her hand.
“Grayson Rhodes. It’s nice to meet you, Charlotte.”
“Likewise, Mr. Rhodes.”
“Thanks for stopping by, Charlotte,” I spoke as I filled a vase with water. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”