10
The next morning, Harris insisted on driving me to work.
“It’s completely out of your way. I can just take a cab,” I said.
His face fell as if the sky was collapsing. “Taylor, you said you’d let me pursue you. Are you taking it back?”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Harris, relax. I’m not running away. I promise. Now that I know you love me too, why would I run? I’m not an idiot. I just don’t want you to get tired.”
He let out a huge sigh of relief. “Driving you could never be tiring. It’s a privilege. My only fear is that you won’ t give me the chance.” He paused. “Taylor… don’t call me brother. When you call me that, I panic. I feel like you’re going to vanish again, and I won’t be able to find you no matter how hard I look.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Whatever you want. How about… husband?”
He shot me a teasing glance, and my face flushed. “In your dreams.”
When I got to the office, Mr. Davies scurried over, looking terrified. “Stella! Why didn’t you tell me you were the woman on Mr. Croft’s phone screen? This is all a huge misunderstanding! He’s not going to hold a grudge
against me, is he? I’m giving you a promotion and a raise, effective immediately! From now on, you are the queen of this company. You will never have to attend another client dinner again!”
Harris’s assistant came by personally to sign the contract, so the promotion was well-deserved. Harris, how ever, was still furious that Mr. Davies had tried to pimp me out. He threatened to destroy his company, ther
buy it and give it to me, making Mr. Davies my employee.
I thought it was an excellent idea, and we quietly began plotting the takeover.
The assistant also apologized profusely, slapping his own face. “Miss Taylor, it’s all my fault. I was blind. said such awful things to you. Please, punish me.”
“You’re in charge of my desserts for a month,” I declared. “Then I’ll forgive you.”
“Absolutely! Consider it done! What’s your favorite flavor? I’ll bring it every day.”
I became demanding. “Ask Harris. He knows. And it has to be different every day.”
I was just joking, but he actually did it. For a whole month, a different, delicious dessert appeared on my desk every day, always something I loved. Harris knew my tastes perfectly. He even texted me to fish for
compliments.
Harris: [Taylor, was today’s dessert good?]
Me: [Yes. I have a last-minute business trip this afternoon, so you don’t need to pick me up tonight.]
Harris: [Where are you going? I’ll have my assistant book you a flight.]
Me: [No need, the company already booked it. I’m going to Boston.]
The old Croft family estate was in Boston. I was planning to visit Harris’s grandfather, who had called and asked to see me.
Harris: [It’s probably not first class. I can’t stand the thought of you being uncomfortable. I’ll have him upgra- de you.]
I sent him my flight information. That afternoon at the airport, I boarded the plane and found Harris sitting in
the seat next to mine.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, shocked.
He smiled. “I swear, it’s a total coincidence. Must be fate, don’t you think?”
Coincidence, my foot.
“Wow,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Such a coincidence. We’re so fated to be together.”
Harris straightened his tie and leaned in close. “I bought a new one,” he whispered. “Want to try it out tonight Taylor?”
I gulped, then tugged on the silk fabric and gave him a wink.
“You’re a dead man tonight.”
