Page 10 of My Only (My First, My Last)

H assani

I swaggered into the employee lounge, greeting a few colleagues as I made my way to the coffee bar.

The break room inside Bryant’s office building, on the Greene Gardens Project floor, wasn’t just a place to grab coffee.

It was an experience.

It was one of the reasons I accepted the office Bryant offered instead of primarily working out of my private office a mile away.

Though I still paid rent for that space, I made enough to do so comfortably—but working out of the Greene Gardens floor actually saved me money.

The space was designed with the same high level of innovation as Greene Gardens itself, reflecting the company’s culture of luxury, comfort, and community.

I was steps away from the coffee bar when I noticed Levi, our landscape architect, standing by one of the machines, stirring his drink.

I approached, clapping a hand to his shoulder.

He looked up and nodded, holding out his hand for a dap. “What’s good, what’s good?”

I smiled, accepting his hand, then reached for a paper cup. “Need fuel, man. I need all the fuel.”

He chuckled. “I’m surprised it took you this long to get here. You’ve been locked in your office all morning.”

“Yeah, man.” I shook my head, focusing on my coffee. “Finally needed liquid energy.”

The break room was massive, almost like a high-end café.

Floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the space with natural light, offering a panoramic view of Manhattan’s skyline.

It was both relaxing and invigorating. The perfect place to recharge while working on such a massive project.

Some days, I felt like I’d bit off more than I could chew.

Other days, I felt like I could conquer the world.

But today, I just felt like shit.

Usually, I had home to look forward to.

But after last night?

I had no idea what I was going home to.

Would Ayla even be there?

I hadn’t wanted our first conversation to happen over the phone—but I’d changed my mind, called her all morning, and she still hadn’t answered once.

Hadn’t called me back either.

Levi handed me the folder I had one of the project managers take back to him after he dropped it off at my office earlier.

“He finalized it,” Levi informed.

I flipped open the folder, leafing through the pages, nodding as I reviewed the designs. “Like I knew he would.”

Levi was a landscape architect I brought in from North Carolina, recommended to me by a former client.

Before Greene Gardens, he worked freelance, but his work spoke for itself.

His attention to detail? Impeccable.

His vision? Next level.

His layout featured green spaces, fountains, walking trails, playgrounds, and community seating areas.

The rainwater garden feature wasn’t just for aesthetics. It also functioned as a natural drainage solution.

We were making Greene Gardens look so damn good, even I wanted to live there.

“This is solid,” I commented, still reviewing the designs. “The placement of the rainwater garden is smart. It minimizes runoff without wasting space.” I nodded. “And the seating areas along the trails? Makes it inviting, not just functional.”

Flipping to another page, I grinned.

“You did good work. I’m sure Bryant was happy.”

“Ecstatic,” Levi confirmed with a short laugh. “He was in a good mood today.”

I laughed, knowing exactly what he meant.

This project was huge.

The pressure immense.

We weren’t just designing houses and buildings.

We were creating a village.

The weight of that responsibility was heavy as hell.

I sighed, feeling that weight pressing on me.

And not just from work.

From home too.

I just hoped this project wasn’t about to wreck my marriage.

Levi stood quietly beside me.

Too quiet.

I peeked over to see him leaning against the counter, his eyes still on me.

“What’s up?” I asked.

Levi inhaled deeply, then exhaled. “Look, I gotta say something.”

I frowned, my grip tightening on my coffee cup.

“About what happened earlier in your office with Harper?”

I swallowed hard. Tensed up immediately. “What about it?”

Levi pressed a hand to his chest. “I know it’s none of my business but… be careful with her.”

I placed my paper cup on the counter, my stomach twisting.

For the longest time, I thought Harper’s flirting was just harmless fun.

The kind of attention that meant nothing.

But if I was being honest?

I never told Ayla about any of it.

Not when Harper started standing a little too close after meetings.

Not when she made those slick comments about my smile or my eyes.

Not when she first started calling me “Hass” like we had history.

I never mentioned it.

Because I knew—deep down—it wasn’t as innocent as I pretended it was.

Levi straightened his back, his eyes scanning the room before refocusing on me.

“I don’t know if you know this,” he started, “but she tried the same thing she’s trying with you, with me.”

I arched a brow.

“Pushed up on me at an after-work function last year.” He shook his head. “I had to remind her I was married.”

He held up his left hand, the diamond wedding band glinting under the bright lounge lights. “I mean, hello.”

I snorted a laugh.

“Can’t miss or forget this shit.” Levi chuckled. “My wife saw to it no one could miss it.”

“So, you reminding Harper that you’re married…” I started. “That didn’t stop her?”

“Not even a little,” Levi replied, his expression darkening. “I had to start talking about my wife every time I saw her. Anytime she paid me too much attention, I’d bring up Calese—constantly. And honestly? I was doing it more for Harper’s safety than mine.”

I chuckled.

“Y’all pay me well, and I love what we’re doing—building this community in a major way.”

I nodded, understanding.

“I’ve done the whole getting-involved-with-a-woman-I-shouldn’t-be-involved-with thing at work before, and I’m never doing that again.” He blew out a breath. “That shit almost ruined my life and career—had me freelancing just to survive. Believe me, I learned my lesson.”

I set my paper cup down.

“Plus, like I said, constantly reminding Harper I was married,” he continued, “was more about protecting her than it was about protecting me. Because, well, Calese be Calesing.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Knowing your wife? I believe you.”

Levi took a sip of his coffee, then added, “Look, you’re a good dude, Hassani. And I know you love your wife.”

“With every breath in me,” I affirmed.

“Exactly.” Levi nodded. “I met Ayla. She’s real. Solid. Things I know you already know. But Harper? That woman don’t care nothing about that, man.”

He glanced behind us, then lowered his voice. “She likes to see how far she can push things. It’s like she gets a thrill out of crossing boundaries. I don’t really know what her deal is.”

I blinked twice. “ Hmph .”

“That’s why she don’t like me anymore.” Levi snickered. “She doesn’t take rejection well. After so many failed attempts—and me always bringing up my wife—now all Harper gives me is attitude. And often.”

He shook his head. “I just make sure to keep my distance, ‘cause women like her can be dangerous. For real.”

I nodded, playing it cool.

Levi had handled things the right way with Harper.

Harper had an undeniable presence.

She was a beautiful woman, and she knew it.

She was fully aware of her feminine charm and wielded it with precision.

It was nice to be around, I won’t lie. But I wasn’t stupid, nor would I ever consider exploring anything beyond work with her. Ever.

I was used to women throwing themselves at me.

But this?

This felt different.

Maybe because I was older now? Maybe because I was married?

Whatever it was, this situation wasn’t like the others.

Especially after last night.

Ayla said she wanted a divorce.

Even now, the words felt unreal.

“I hear you, man,” I finally told Levi. “I got this, though. I know better than to let some office crush mess up my life.”

Levi nodded. “Word.”

Because what the hell would that look like?

Me—principal architect on one of the biggest projects of my career—caught up in some mess over Harper?

Hell no.

“Still,” Levi added, tossing his empty cup in the trash. “Just watch your back with her. Women like her got a hard time hearing no. Feel me?”

“I feel you.”

“Aight, boss.” Levi gave me a firm pat on the back, making me chuckle.

“Let me get back to work,” he announced. “‘Cause you’re a cool boss, but I know you don’t play that either.”

“Let me know if you need anything for the next phase of the project,” I told him as he walked out.

As Levi disappeared down the hall, movement in my periphery caught my eye.

Harper.

Stepping out of her office.

Her eyes darted from Levi’s retreating form to me, lingering just a second too long.

Then she smirked—slow and knowing—before slipping back inside.

I stared in that direction for a breath, before blinking myself out of it.

Levi’s words played in my mind as I refocused on my drink.

I stayed in the break room for a bit, drinking my coffee at the bar. Closed my eyes, letting the caffeine do nothing to energize me.

I was tired—beyond fatigued.

And there was no telling if I’d even get the rest I needed tonight.

Because, it’s like I said, I had no idea what I was returning home to.

I stared down at my coffee, my stomach tightening.

An uneasy feeling settled in my gut.

I needed to take the Levi approach with Harper and shut whatever she was up to down.

I’d viewed it as innocent for too long.

But after what Ayla told me last night…

I prayed I wasn’t too late.