“Yes, I’ve been here,” she snapped. She stopped and stared at me. “Do you respect me?”
“Huh?” That was a weird question to ask in the middle of a department store.
“You heard me. Do you respect me? Or is all you see a rich, vapid socialite with a hot body? You don’t mind fucking me, but you don’t think I’m worthy of anything more.”
“Jesus Christ, Harper.” I looked around to see if anyone was noticing our exchange. “Yes, I respect you. But also, I think you’re a socialite who maybe doesn’t understand how the rest of the world lives. I don’t hold it against you.”
“Says mister killer-for-hire billionaire.”
I shook my head. “I’m not a killer.” Sure, I’d killed, but only bad guys who were out to kill me. Sometimes I worked for killers, a distinction that I couldn’t justify anymore which was why I left the mercenary business and went into straight security working only for the good guys, or at least not the criminals. “And yes, I have money now, but I didn’t grow up like that.”
“How nice of you not to hold my background against me.” She started toward the baby section again.
God. How had this gotten so out of hand? “Harper.” I caught up with her. “I’m sorry. Shit.” I wasn’t sure what to say. “I respect you, okay? I’m sorry if I offended you.”
She closed her eyes and took a breath. “Okay.” Her word had no oomph. Like she was resigned that this outing was going to be a total flop. So much for making her smile.
I wanted to say something to put us back on track, but at the moment, I couldn’t find the right words. Maybe at lunch when we discussed the thing between us, I’d find the words. Then again, perhaps by the time lunch came around there wouldn’t be a thing between us anymore.
An overwhelming desperation to fix this swept through me. I reached for her again. “Hey. Really. I’m sorry.” I took her hand and squeezed it. What I wanted to do was kiss her, but it didn’t seem like the right thing to do under the circumstances.
She nodded.
When she started to turn away again, I tugged her back. “Will we still talk about this thing between us at lunch?”
Hesitancy shone in her eyes. She was having second thoughts all because I was being an asshole.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Harper
Okay, so this day wasn’t turning out as I’d hoped. As the day deteriorated, I realized that what I hoped for was a little ambitious.
I thought we’d talk, putting our differences and misconceptions aside, and then start over.
When we suggested we go shopping for Mo, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get to know each other in a low-key way. As it turned out, Noel thought he already knew me, and his impression was less than positive. He thought I was a spoiled brat.
In the past, I gave him reason to think that with how I reacted to Bran, but since I’d moved in next door, I hadn’t been shallow. I wasn’t partying or flaunting my wealth and influence. Still, he saw me as having no substance short of my tits and ass.
Now, after suggesting I’d never been to a mall because it would be beneath me, he was asking if we were still going to talk about this thing between us. Hell no. I’d explain my behavior and apologize, but there was no way I was going to admit I liked him.
Before I could answer his question, Mo let out a cry.
Noel waited a beat, like he was hoping for an answer. When I didn’t give one, he turned his attention to Mo.
“Hey there, Little Man.” He lifted Mo, looking him in the eyes with such sweetness that it was hard to stay annoyed at him. “I think he agrees with you that I’ve been an asshole.”
“Smart kid.” Because I didn’t want to be charmed by Noel, I turned, continuing to the children’s department of the store.
“Do you think I should buy some things in bigger sizes too? For him to grow into?” Noel asked as we looked through the racks of clothes.
I was sure he knew the answer to that. He was trying to make conversation to reduce the tension.
“Probably. Anne also says that the sizes on the clothes aren’t always accurate. Sizes tend to run small, so you’ll want to keep that in mind.”
Noel looked at Mo back in his stroller. “Is he big for his age, do you think?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea. You should probably make friends with people who have babies. Maybe Archer and Lane can help.”