Page 167

“I like her, Harry, and I’m glad she makes you happy. But I remember what happened last time.”

“Raegan is twice the woman Eva was.”

“I know. I just don’t want it to mess with your head, or your business.” Leni grabs the phone back. “No more until we get this figured out,” she chastises.

I arch a brow as I set the bag of books on the desk. “This being…?”

“It’s been three days and there’s nothing on the zoning approval since the hearing.” Her frown deepens. “The audio equipment is arriving any moment.”

I think back to my confrontation with Whelan, and the consequences of it.

She’s not holding any sharp objects—I do a quick scan to make sure.

“There’s going to be a delay in the planning department. The head of zoning has been arrested.”

I unzip the bag, carefully remove two of the books, and take them to the shelf opposite.

“Arrested? For what?”

Pleased with how they look, I go back for two more.

“There are already steps underway to mitigate the inevitable delay this will cause in zoning approvals,” I go on. “So, I need you to pay a visit to the deputy director before this breaks. The committee reports have been filed. Explain that Whelan signed off verbally and promised to rubber-stamp it for us today. If he balks, remind him of the revenue projections and tax implications. If he stalls or says he needs to discuss with Whelan, convince him that would be unwise.”

“And it would be unwise because…?”

I retrieve the last of the books, including the plastic-protected second edition Dumas that Rae pulled off my shelf in Ibiza, nearly dropping once she realized its age and value.

“Because Whelan’s not returning to work. Today or ever.”

I arrange the books on the shelf and step back to admire my work. There’s still too much room on the other shelves below. If I’m going to be sticking around awhile, I need to add more books, or perhaps a sculpture.

Leni steps between me and the shelf, her eyes wide with horror. “Harrison, what the fuck have you?—“

“Time to celebrate?”

The low, feminine voice from the doorway has me turning, though Leni doesn’t release her grip on my arms.

My girlfriend stands in the office doorway, holding a bottle of champagne. She’s wearing the dress I bought her and had delivered to Beck’s. It’s black and strapless, hugging her curves. As she reaches up to pull the sunglasses from her hair and set them and her phone on the desk, her cuff glints gold in the overhead lights. She looks healthy and happy and mine.

It’s been three days since I’ve been inside her, and I’m about to die from the injustice of it all.

Leni crosses to Rae and takes the champagne bottle. “That’s the good shit. What’s the occasion?”

“I booked Wild Fest. Just got the email this afternoon. More than that… the stream from my show racked up a million views in two days. I have offers coming in from everywhere.” Her slow smile is dazed and my chest aches with pride.

“Good for you,” Leni comments. “I wish we had as much to celebrate, but?—“

“Leni, could you find us glasses?” I cut her off smoothly.

I don’t want news of Whelan’s arrest taking away from Raegan’s day, her triumph.

Thankfully, Rae’s oblivious. “It’s fine. I figured we’d pass it around.”

I take the bottle and unwrap it, then open it with a pop.

Leni takes a long swig before passing it back to Rae. “Well, it’s not a zoning permit”—my friend gives me side-eye—“but it’s something. Excuse me while I get back to work.”

As Leni heads out to the warehouse, I round the desk to Rae.