Page 18 of Unpredictable
Framed photographs lined the hall, happy couples smiling as they said their “I Dos,” a child blowing out her birthday candles, a glowing mom-to-be embraced by her girlfriends. The conference room had a wall of windows overlooking LA. A large pair of orchids rested in the middle of the glossy table, surrounded by a few leather-bound books.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Landon asked once we were seated. “Water, champagne?”
“I’d like a water, please,” Olivia said before turning to me. “Daddy?”
Landon coughed into his hand.
“You okay?” I asked, and he nodded. “I’ll take a water, thanks.”
I picked up one of the leather albums from the table and thumbed through it. More smiling couples. More weddings and parties. All elegant, extravagant, and…expensive, I was sure.
I didn’t think much could faze me considering the life I’d led, but staring at some of the parties, I realized I was wrong. Cirque du Soleil at a five-year-old’s birthday party? I shook my head and closed the book, afraid to see what else it might contain. I had no idea what Olivia had in mind for her wedding, but I didn’t think a flock of albino peacocks was on her must-have list. At least, I hoped not.
“Oh my god,” Olivia said from beside me. “That is stunning.”
I furrowed my brows, glancing between the album and her. The wedding looked fit for royalty.
“And those flowers. I love peonies.”
“Peonies?” I asked, to which she just laughed.
I had a feeling I was in for a long afternoon. When Landon returned with our waters, I began to second-guess my decision not to request alcohol.
“And here she is now.” Landon turned toward the door and smiled as if amused by something.
A phone rang in the background, and I looked up when I heard the click-clack of a woman’s shoes against the marble floor. A familiar blonde with legs for days entered the room, her eyes on her tablet. Olivia and I stood, both of us smiling, albeit for different reasons.Well, well, well.Talk about life being unpredictable.
She looked the same as that night at the bar—well-dressed, polished, fucking stunning. Her fuchsia dress and pumps were professional, but they only made me want to undress her. I wanted to pull her hair from the bun she wore and watch the waves tumble over her shoulders. I wanted to—
“Hi, I’m…” She glanced up, and when our eyes met, she faltered. She quickly composed herself, masking her surprise with a smile. “Juliana Wright.”
And suddenly everything made sense as the pieces fell into place. Juliana was my mystery woman from the wedding expo. And Landon had been with her at the bar when we met. His eyes were currently ping-ponging between Juliana, Olivia, and me.
Olivia extended her hand to Juliana. “Olivia. So nice to meet you. Thank you for squeezing us in.”
“Of course.” Juliana smiled, though her gaze was questioning when she focused on me.
I wrapped my hand around hers, encasing her delicate fingers with my callused hand. The sight of her skin against mine sparked a wave of fresh memories. Her hand around my cock, pumping. My palm sliding down her spine as she released a shaky exhale.
My lips curled into a smile, and without thinking, I stroked my thumb over her skin. Again, I felt that spark. That…pull. “Harrison.”
She frowned down at our hands, quickly pulling hers away. I didn’t understand her reaction. Was she embarrassed about the other night? I studied her expression for clues, but she quickly turned for the door, putting her back to me.
Maybe she was mad that I’d vanished? But she’d been sleeping so peacefully, I couldn’t bear to wake her. Besides, what had she really expected? We both knew it was nothing more than a one-time thing, even if I did want a repeat. And I hadn’t been a complete ass—I’d left a note.
After Landon excused himself, Juliana closed the door, her palm pressed against the surface for a moment longer than necessary. When she faced us again, she wore a mask of professionalism. She took a seat at the table, composed, calm.
“First of all, congratulations.” She smiled. “So—” She glanced down at her tablet. “I see we’re on a tight schedule.”
Olivia nodded. “Yes. My fiancé and I would like to get married this fall, preferably in September.”
“Okay.” She shifted, returning her attention to her tablet, where I presumed a calendar was displayed. “It looks like I have some availability—at least, the third, maybe the fourth, weekend.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Olivia nodded. But my attention remained focused on the blonde sitting across from me. I knew what she looked like when she came, and I couldn’t get the image out of my head. And now I finally knew her name.
I missed the next part of the conversation. Something about dates and venues and pricing. All the while, Juliana kept her attention focused on Olivia, only glancing to me when absolutely necessary.
“If you don’t mind my asking, why the rush?” Juliana asked.
