Page 31 of Built to Last

“I heard you were here.” Anika’s expression goes tight as she looks from me to Luca. “Is everything okay?”

This is why Luca brought me in here. She’s already nervous, already anxious about the project. She’s gone through so much change in a short time. I’m not going to make this harder for her. She could easily have found someone with more experience. If my friend wants me here, I’m going to do the best job I can. I’m going to enjoy being here for her first big project.

Isn’t this what we asked for when we sat in Banover Place? To be together while we built something for ourselves? I’m not sure I’m really building anything, but I can get into togetherness.

Damn. I am not going to cry. I notice Reid and Jeremiah hovering outside the door. Reid stares in like he’s surprised I’m still here.

“No problem at all. I came by because I realized I didn’t have to work as late as I thought.” There’s no time like the present to start this war of ours. “Reid protested my clothing.”

He snorts and then sighs as though he knows this is inevitable. “Sure. Well, Harper, the invitation clearly stated no steel-toed boots.”

I give my besties a shrug. “I came straight from a site. I had to go out to Jersey and check on the new build because I’m pretty sure my cousin is trying to see if sabotage can help his case. I thought I would miss…” I have no idea what is being served for dinner except what I picked up from Luca. I have no idea what kind of roast they’re enjoying. “…all the meat. You know how much I love meat. So I didn’t stop to change, and I offended Reid with my impoverished state of dress. His words, not mine.”

Reid groans. “Yes, I called you impoverished. I now know that I must accept all forms of dress so I’m not an elitist douchebag. Can we have dinner now?”

“You can be fussy about clothes,” Jeremiah begins.

His brother sends him a look that has him backing down.

“We’re sure everything’s okay?” Anika looks from me to Luca like she senses something went down.

I give her my brightest smile and walk right up to Reid, threading my arm through his. Like we don’t hate each other. Like we can totally get along and not dream at night of killing the other. Like those dreams don’t include other things that I will never admit, maybe even to myself. “We’re good. We have some differing opinions, but that’s the nature of collaboration.” I look up at Reid, who hasn’t tried to move away from me. His arm tightens around mine. “Thanks for the invite, coworker.”

“You’re welcome,” he says as everyone starts to move out of the office, “pain in my ass.”

I let him lead me out.

The name fits, so I don’t argue with him. I’m about to be a massive pain in his ass, and I feel pretty good about it.

Chapter Eleven

“Do you want a drink?” Reid asks as he returns from closing the door behind Ivy and Heath. Anika and Luca left an hour before since they were still dealing with jet lag, but Ivy stuck around as though she wanted to watch over me. Or was waiting for the façade of politeness to crack and the real fight to begin.

She finally gave up and I agreed with Reid earlier in the evening that we should talk when everyone left, so here I am in his Upper East Side palace of an apartment at midnight and I’m oddly anxious about the potential of being alone with him since I heard Jeremiah say something about going out.

Anxious in a weird, almost anticipatory way.

“Sure. I’ll take a little of whatever you’re having.” I’d been surprised at the lack of wine at dinner. I suspected he was like a lot of Manhattan hosts, completely free with the booze and light on the actual food. Instead, we’d gotten some excellent tea and a truly lovely roast and potatoes and green beans almondine, complete with a delicious cheesecake I was assured is an Aggie special.

“I’m going to run Aggie home and stop by Harry’s.” Jeremiah stands in the foyer, wrapping a scarf around his neck. He put on a jacket and is helping Aggie into her light coat.

“I told him I can take the subway,” Aggie protests.

“Absolutely not,” Reid insists. He moves toward the older woman. “Since you’re too stubborn to take one of the bedrooms here, you must allow Jer to take you home. You’re precious cargo. Thank you for everything this evening.”

I was surprised at how tender he was with the older woman. He checked on her several times this evening and helped her bring out the food, asking her to sit and eat with us when everything was served. I’d expected a host of servers, but it had been just us and Aggie.

She turns her head slightly, welcoming a light kiss on the cheek. “Well, it was fun to meet royalty. They were far more normal than I expected. Far kinder and more personable than many of your clients. You behave yourself, Reid Dorsey.”

Jeremiah frowns and glances back at me. “Yes, behave. I’m not sure I should leave the two of you alone.”

Aggie pats his shoulder. “They’ll be fine. Ms. Ross, it was lovely to meet you. He doesn’t mean half of what he says, but when he’s backed into a corner, he’s not sure how to get out.”

“I’m not in a corner,” Reid grumbles.

I smile Aggie’s way. “It was nice to meet you. Dinner was excellent. Really, the best I’ve had in a long time.”

I missed a couple of Sunday dinners at Lydia’s because I was working, so I’ve been subsisting on ramen and takeout. Between preparing for the Banover Place job, fighting with my cousin over all things construction, and catching back up after the wedding, I haven’t spent much time doing anything but working, and I think that might have made me a wee bit cranky.

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