Page 30 of The Attraction

Forrest: I have organized for my car to be taken home. I will drive us home in your car tonight after the meeting.

As I’m about to blast him in a reply, I look to check if it’s in the group chat or just a message to me. It’s a private message to me, so it’s fair game.

Harper: You’re not invited, so enjoy your walk home.

Forrest: Try and keep me away. The meeting is important! You’re important!

Harper: Why is everything in riddles today? Seriously, you are doing my head in.

Forrest: Good, now you know how I’ve felt for months. See you at seven.

I’m so confused.

Standing and walking to my office window, I look out over London and the Thames River. I have spent most of my life living here, but I have often flown back to America to visit family or just remind myself of where I came from. But as long as this Chester guy is out there, I feel like they have just locked the gates on ever being able to go back and visit. I have been so blessed to travel all around the world with Felisha, but right now, I feel like I’m trapped up here in my glass tower, and my world is quickly becoming smaller. I hate it.

Trying to forget about this meeting, I have thrown myself into work this afternoon, but looking up at the time on my computer, my stomach drops. I have fifteen minutes, and then I get to hear what Ashton has to say.

Walking into my private bathroom, I start to fix up my makeup and go to the toilet before I get in there so I don’t have to cross my legs because I need to do a nervous wee.

One last look in the mirror, I give myself a pep talk, pull my shoulders back, and walk back out to grab my phone and bag so I don’t need to come back here when we are finished.

I jump at the sight of Forrest standing in my office waiting.

“Far out, if this stalker doesn’t kill me, you will with all this sneaking up on me.” Seriously, what is he doing in my office? If my heart wasn’t racing before from anxiety, it sure is now. “What are you doing here?” I glare at him, trying to pull myself together.

“To go to the meeting with you so you don’t have to walk in alone. I know this is going to be overwhelming, and I wanted to remind you I’ve got you and you can lean on me.” His body language is calm but confident.

I want to yell at him again, but something about his words gives me this warm feeling in my gut, and I don’t understand why. But if it does calm my butterflies, then I’ll take it.

Instead of answering him, I just nod. I pick up my bag and walk toward him to head down the hallway.

I could have sworn I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn again, it’s gone, and his normal stern face is back while we proceed toward the boardroom door where I can already hear voices.

Stopping for a second, Forrest just waits and doesn’t say a word. I take a deep breath like I need to and then march right in like nothing in the world is worrying me.

Christ, if they only knew.

When I’m just inside the door, I feel Forrest’s body so close, though not touching me. It’s like he would put his hand on my lower back if he was allowed but is close enough that it gives me the same calming feeling.

At the end of the room, Felisha is standing with Flynn’s arm around her waist. Next to them is Sandon, and on the other side of the table is Rem and then a man who I am assuming is Ashton Taylor. His American accent gives it away as he talks to Rem.

Assessing him as I walk toward the group, I can tell he is ex-military and in the security business. His stance, with legs rigid and feet slightly apart, shoulders broad, arms crossed over his chest, and his eyes are scanning the room while he is still invested in the conversation with the people near him.

Not hesitating, I walk straight up to him and stick my hand out to greet him. “Hello, Ashton, I presume. I’m Harper Williams. Pleased to meet you, but I just wish it was under different circumstances where my life is not in danger, but anyway, I do appreciate you looking out for me and flying all this way to help me out.” I let go of his hand quickly as he laughs at me, and Forrest then steps from behind me.

“Forrest Taylor, Harper’s friend and the man she lives with.” It’s almost like he is asserting his claim on me in front of Ashton. I have to say, this man constantly surprises me.

“As her roommate,” Felisha pipes up and smiles at me to let me know she’s got me.

“Great to meet you both. I’ve just been meeting your other friends and security team. I must say, I’m happy with the resources you have around you. It makes my job a lot easier and means I can go back to the States without worrying about you alone over here. Not that I would have ever left you without protection, but I think you are well and truly covered with these guys.” His voice is deep and composed but also soft and full of kindness from what I can tell.

“Thank you. Please sit and we can talk about this whole debacle.” I motion for him to sit, but of course he won’t move until both Felisha and I are seated. Forrest pulls out a chair for me, and before anyone else has a chance to sit, he is seated right beside me.

“The floor is yours, Ashton.” Sandon addresses him, as I guess he is the one leading this meeting, being the initial contact that Ashton reached out to.

“Thanks. First, I just want to say I’m sorry, Harper, that I’m here turning your world upside down. It’s the last thing you must have wanted or expected. It’s been a long time, I’m sure, since you had to deal with anything to do with your father. And I wish I could say just ignore this, but I can’t.” Ashton looks at me with sorrowful eyes.

“To say it was a shock was an understatement, but here we are, and I have no choice but to face it head-on and deal with it.” My leg starts to bounce a little under the table, and I can tell my level of anxiety is rising faster than I would like. No one in this room except Felisha has seen me when a panic attack washes over me, and I’d rather it didn’t happen tonight either.

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