“No. I’ll handle it. I need my coffee first.”
I knew she was purposefully ignoring me at the moment. Luckily, I could be a patient man sometimes. When she got her coffee and cookie, she took her time walking to my table.
“What are you doing here, Bran?” She didn’t sit.
“Is this the place you invested in? I was in the neighborhood and wanted coffee, so I dropped in. I didn’t realize you—”
“Bullshit. You have fancy coffee machines at home and in your office, and you have no reason to be in this neighborhood unless you’re following me.”
She scoffed and shook her head. “I knew you wouldn’t ever stop following me. You have no respect for my privacy. You don’t respect me—”
“I admit I came here to see you. You can’t be pissed at me forever.”
“Your goons are probably reporting me every day, so why do you need to see me? And as long as you treat me like a baby or a shiny object that needs to be kept under lock and key, I don’t want to see you.”
I noted that a few people were watching, and one woman pulled out her phone, probably hoping to film a scene she’d could post online. Fuck. I didn’t need that sort of publicity.
“It’s my job to watch out for you.”
“That job ended when I turned eighteen, Bran. Now I just want you out of my life. You don’t own me. And if you insist on continuing to follow me, I’m going to file a restraining order against you.”
“Jesus, Harper.” Her words gutted me. “Can’t you see I just want to keep you safe? You’re the only family I have. I’m your only family.”
“Family doesn’t treat members like they’re inept or violate their privacy. Now leave me alone.”
She took her coffee and cookie and headed to the door. “I’ll see you later, Stella.”
I sat at the table, stunned, hurt, and embarrassed by the owner and her customers staring at me. Unable to finish my coffee and cookie, I tossed both and strode out of the café.
In the car, I told my driver to drive around. I wasn’t ready to go to work or home.
What the fuck was I going to do now?
I knew Harper was pissed at me and was punishing me for my actions around her stalker, but today, it became clear that she wanted nothing to do with me.
Couldn’t she see that I kept tabs on her, not because I was spying, but instead to keep her safe?
Never before had I felt so alone. What the hell was all this money and success for if it wasn’t shared with my family?
Was it time to let Harper go?
I didn’t want to do that, but I knew the bridge was burned. She was gone.
That didn’t mean I’d stop making sure she was safe, which I suppose was the wrong decision. But if I couldn’t see her, how else could I make sure she was okay if I didn’t have someone keeping tabs on her? But she’d figured out she was being followed, so I needed to hire someone else who could be more discreet.
When I finally went home, the place felt even more empty than it had after my parents died. Maybe it was time to sell this place and move into something smaller. But I’d had some happy times as a kid here. I couldn’t help but imagine it filled with love and laughter. Of a child running through the halls or sliding down the banister, like I used to do.
I strode back to my office and once again went page by page through the portfolio of surrogates.
Pretty. Smart. Healthy.
All of them would have worked, but Anne would be perfect. She had all the same qualities and something else. Something that pulled at me, even though she and I couldn’t say a civil word to each other.
Maybe after a few days, my offer would appeal to her more. I needed to talk to her again. Of course, she’d likely be like Harper and not agree to meet me. At least not without an incentive.
I pulled out my checkbook and wrote a check. Then I poured a drink and went to sit out on my back terrace. This would work, I thought as I sipped my drink.
Anne would have my child, and once she did, Harper would be back in my life, if only to be an aunt.