His Baby Her Gift: The Slow Burn Duology 2 by LaShawn Vasser (electric book reader .txt) 📗

Carter doesn’t deserve his emotions being yanked all over the place too. He’s been through a lot.”

“You are all over the place, but if you miss him, maybe you should think about that a little more. My guess is he misses you just as much.”

“My real fear is that we’ve both been through so much trauma we don’t know what’s real. What if our feelings aren’t real? What if they are, and it fades? I don’t want to make things even more difficult. Elaina is already going to cause him pure hell after the baby is born.”

“She is, but I think Elaina will probably do that regardless.”

“True.” Harlem finally made it to her door. “I should call him?”

“If I were you, I would call him.”

“I’ll take that under advisement. Look, I’m home. Thanks for calming me down. I owe you big, and when you get pregnant, and your hormones have you acting like a raving lunatic, I’ll be there for you.”

Chapter 11

It had been months since Harlem stepped foot into Fox, Johnson, and Steele Investments. Nate had called on Saturday to ask if she would drop by to sign some papers.

Harlem had the strangest feeling as she walked down the familiar hallway. As if she was going to march into Damian’s office and see him still sitting behind his desk. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. When Harlem arrived at the threshold of the door, it was slightly ajar. Damian’s nameplate hadn’t been removed. She gazed at it for a moment before tracing the outline of the rectangular, platinum bar with the tips of her fingers while never physically touching it.

Harlem inhaled deeply, then gently pushed the door open. She stood with her arms folded across her chest . . . staring. For the most part, Damian’s office had been cleared out. There weren’t any pictures or signs of his vibrant life. The room was cold–all chrome, glass, and brown leather furniture. Nothing was left to remind anyone that Damian Fox had once occupied it.

“Harlem?” Nate called out to her.

She turned and forced a smile on her face. “Nate.”

“I didn’t know you were here. My assistant didn’t tell me.” Nate’s frown was pronounced. He was irritated that no one had notified him that Harlem was in the building. He had hoped to prevent what he assumed was happening–Harlem going into Damian’s office. He knew those two may not have been in love, but they did love one another.

Harlem didn’t want his assistant to get into trouble over her. She put on a brave smile. “I never rang her. I just came up, like I’ve always done.”

“I would have met you in the lobby.” He would have brought her up, taking the route straight to his office and bypassing Damian’s. Nate could see the turbulence in her eyes. “Being here can’t be easy.”

“It’s not, but I have faith it’ll get easier.” She placed her hand on his arm. “For all of us.”

Nate’s throat was a little thick. He cleared it. “Why don’t we get this paperwork out of the way.”

Harlem walked over to his office and went inside. Nate closed the door behind them. “So, how are you? Really? No bullshit.”

Harlem thought about it. “I’m healthy. The baby is healthy. I guess overall, I’m good.”

“You know if you ever need anything, Mel and I are here for you, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Hey,” he rubbed the back of his neck as if he wanted to say something uncomfortable. “I might be stepping out of bounds. Actually, I know I am, but we’re like family. So, here goes . . . I talked to Carter yesterday.”

“Yes. You are stepping out of bounds.” But Harlem wanted to know everything about Carter. She hadn’t been able to get him off of her mind after her rash decision. They had only talked via text. “How is he?”

“You know Carter. It’s hard to tell when he puts up that wall. Damian was the only one who could actually get through it–and you.”

“Me?” Skeptical, her eyebrows lifted to her hairline. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do. What I also know is that Carter and Damian would want the other to be happy. In the midst of this tragedy, you’ve managed to make Carter happy. I think you feel the same way.”

Before Harlem could respond, there were three hard knocks on Nate’s door. Seconds later, it opened. “Dude, I told you . . .” Carter poked his head inside. He was brought up short when he saw Harlem. He was surprised to see her. Immediately, Carter’s face went blank. When he spoke, his words lacked any emotion. “I will wait out here until you two are finished.”

“Actually, I need to make a couple of copies.” Nate picked up a file from the corner of his desk. “Why don’t you wait inside?” He glanced between them. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Clearly, they had been set up.

Nate walked out of the door, taking extra care to close it behind him.

Carter stood rigid. He looked at everything in Nate’s office but Harlem. It was too difficult.

He had the opposite effect on her. Seeing him made everything that didn’t make sense clear.It was obvious that she’d pushed him too far. Harlem took Carter’s aloofness as proof that he didn’t want to be in the same room with her.

Harlem wouldn’t allow her nerves to get the better of her. She had messed up, so it was up to her to make the first move.

Harlem swallowed nervously. “Hi.”

Her voice was like a magnet, and Carter couldn’t stop from looking in her direction.