Crazy in Love

“Let’s slow down,” I say, my hands flying up. “At least until after the first class.”

Holding her stomach, she giggles. “Good idea. I might have good intentions, but no promises it tastes good.”

“Natalie?”

Her mom calls her from the entryway. She gives my hand a squeeze. “I need to say goodbye, but I wanted you to know that I’m happy for you and Harrison.”

“What are you happy about?”

She holds a finger to her lips. “Don’t worry, I don’t think the others noticed, but Nick and I saw you in the window.”

My legs hitting the sill, my back to the window. I cringe as a second wave of mortification rolls over me. I swallow. “I’m sorry. He—”

“Natalie, I’ll call you,” Martine says.

“I’ll be right there,” she calls back. “It’s okay. I just wanted you to know that I’m glad it seems you’ve made up. Literally.”

I restrain my laughter, but a giggle comes out. “Thanks for putting it so . . . nicely.”

Natalie’s in her mom’s and dad’s arms, both of them hugging her. I’d almost forgotten my parents and her dad were here. They tend to sneak away to talk business when they get together. As if me mentioning him in my head made him magically appear, my dad comes in through the butler’s pantry. “I’ve been looking for you, sweetheart.”

“I’ve been around,” I reply.

He comes straight for me and gives me a hug. “Are you doing all right?”

I put on my best stiff upper lip, just like they taught me. “I’m fine. No need to worry.”

“I do anyway.” His softer tone catches me off guard.

Suddenly feeling every bit his little girl, I rest my head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Dad.”

My dad kisses my head and then heads for the door. “Love you. Call me soon.”

“I will. Love you.”

After they leave, I grab my bag and head for the door. Just as I reach my best friend, Harrison comes from the living room. “You weren’t sneaking out, were you?”

“No. I made quite the show of things tonight. So why would I bother sneaking around now?”

Always ready to laugh, at least my jokes land with him. “That’s good to hear.”

As if Nick appears out of nowhere, Natalie turns back to me while resting against her husband. His hands slide around her waist, resting on her flat belly that will soon be much bigger.

It’s not envy.

I’m not ready for the baby stage of life yet, but maybe my own person to rest against wouldn’t be so bad.

“In regard to being godparents, we took you both by surprise, but please don’t think we made our decision lightly,” Nick says.

Harrison stands next to me, and for a moment, our hands brush against each other’s. It’s the lightest of touches, but it makes me feel like we’re a team. “I won’t speak for Tatum, but it would be an honor.”

“You’re a good man, Deck.” He and Nick do that man-hug thing guys do—a shoulder bump, a pat on the back, lots of self-congratulatory talk.

Wiping a tear, I find it’s heartwarming to witness. I want that. Not the man-hug thing, but to be a part of something amazing that will always bind me to my best friend. “I’m in.” The words come out too fast to take them back. Not that I want to, but I probably should have given it more thought.

“You are?” Natalie asks, her eyes welling with tears. Joy lifts her expression as she rushes to hug me. “Thank you, Tate.”

“Our kid will be lucky to have you,” Nick says.

“Thank you.”

As other guests come toward the door, Harrison says, “I’m going to see Tatum home.”

Knowing they saw us earlier, I feel my cheeks heat. Blushing isn’t something I normally do, but here I am, acting like a schoolgirl. We say our goodbyes, and then Natalie says, “Thanks for taking care of my best friend.”

Harrison looks back. “My pleasure.”

The door closes as we walk down the steps. “I’m hoping it’s mine, as well.” I click my tongue and give him a little wink.

“Don’t worry.” We reach the curb, and he opens the door for me. Just as I start to get in, I stop to say—but he kisses me, stealing the words right off my tongue. “I’ve waited what feels like forever for this night. There’s no way I’m leaving a single inch of you untouched or wanting.”

There’s not much left to say, except, “How fast can we get to Tribeca?”

9

Harrison

Apparently, one can get from the Upper East Side to Tribeca pretty damn fast when a large tip is involved. Who knew, considering it’s Saturday night? Helps to have a local calling the shots. And call the shots she did anytime traffic slowed. He finally gave in and just listened to the lady.

Smart man.

She was right, but that doesn’t surprise me.

Her building, on the other hand . . . Holy. Shit.