Seventeen Days Read online

  “Since when do I care if you call her up? She’s never been mine. She knows what I like and vice versa. We take each other's troubles away for an hour or two. Give her a call, if you want. Doesn’t matter to me one way or the other. She’s been a bit too clingy anyway.”

  We don’t say another word as we make quick work to get things cleaned up. Now I only have to worry about Gentry getting the wrong idea where Morgan’s concerned.

  One down, one to go.

  Walking back into the office, I don’t say a word as I hear her on the phone with a customer. Might as well wash up really quick while she’s busy. She may claim I smell great, but I know I smell of fish.

  “Harrison?” she calls while gently knocking on the bathroom door.

  “Yeah, babe?” Wonder if she’s noticed how many times I’ve called her babe? Probably. Not much gets by her.

  “There’s a customer on the phone asking to speak directly to you. I told them I wasn’t sure if you were available. Would you like me to take a message?”

  Normally, customers don’t ask for me. Nothing in her tone indicates who it could be.

  “I’ll be right out,” I answer through the door.

  She’s back on the phone with them when I make it over to her desk. Holding up her hand, she tells me to hold on. Maybe I won’t need to take this call.

  “No. He’s right here now. He only now came in from the docks. Hold on one moment.” Handing me the phone, she gives me a weird look, as if saying ‘no fucking clue’.

  “This is Harrison Montgomery, how may I help you?”

  “Harry. Finally. Why haven’t you been answering your texts? I've sent you a few over the last hour. When you didn’t answer, I decided to try your office. Do you feel like having company over tonight?”

  Damn, it’s Jess. And fuck no, I don’t. Not your company, I only want the company of a certain redhead.

  “Jess, how many times have I told you not to call me Harry?” What the fuck is she calling me at work for? Without giving her time to answer, I quickly continue, “No, I can’t make plans tonight. We can’t make plans together for the foreseeable future. I’m involved with someone. Why don’t you give Thad a call? He was asking about you.” Hopefully she gets the hint and stops for a few weeks, at least until Morgan is gone. Shit, it was less than three days ago I wanted Jess to mess up my sheets, now I don’t want to even hear her voice and can’t get her off the phone fast enough.

  Glancing over at Morgan, I see her eyes are about to bug out of her head and she’s catching flies with her mouth. If I hadn’t made it clear to her I want to get tangled up with her, it’s clear now. Reaching across the desk, I push her chin up, closing her mouth.

  “Yes, that was her on the phone. And no, it shouldn’t matter to you. You and I have never dated. I’m off the market. Please don’t call my business again unless it’s for actual business. I’m not interested in hanging out anymore.” Too harsh? Maybe, but after the comment from Thad, I’m not in the mood to be nice. Not to anyone but Morgan, of course.

  I’ve never been mean to the women who keep me company but I’ve also never had one call me here. Jess was getting way too clingy. It’s better to cut ties with her now, instead of letting her develop actual feelings for me.

  “No reason for you to be so harsh. Geesh. May I have Thad’s number, or is that asking too much?”

  Rattling off his number as quickly as possible, I press disconnect on the phone.

  Needing to get out of here before Thad comes in, I ask if Morgan’s good to go. “You ready, babe?”

  “Um. Sure, I guess. Where are we going? I could eat a cow, I’m so hungry.”

  “I take it you’re not a salad only type of girl?”

  “Shit no. Give me a juicy steak over green stuff any day.” Perfect.

  “How about we walk over to Pink Flamingo? It’s a gastropub about a block down on the beach. They have seafood, steak, fries. All things fattening.”

  “Show me the way, Captain,” she replies.

  Grabbing her hand and threading my fingers through hers, I pull her out the door. Thad is walking up the dock as we make our way out. “Hey, will you lock up and switch the phone over?” I ask as we’re walking away.

  “Sure thing, boss. Hey, Morgan, I’m Thad. Good to sort of officially meet you. Maybe we can actually exchange words next time.”

  “I’ll be waiting with bated breath.” Not even trying to hide it, I bust out laughing. She’s so sarcastic.

  “Come on, babe, I’m starved.”

  “Okay, so let me get this straight, the Pink Flamingo isn’t actually pink? Why the hell is the building blue?” she questions. Honestly, I haven’t got a clue myself.

  “I’ve never asked. Maybe the owners are too lazy to repaint it? It wasn’t named this when I left for college. The name changed between then and a few months ago. Food’s the same, though.” Shrugging, I add, “Personally, I’ve never paid much attention.”

  “I’m going to ask. They should at least paint the shutters pink. Or rename the place again; use blue in the title.”

  She’s so damn cute. If she heard me call her that, she’d probably punch me in the junk.

  “Admittedly, I think the new owners were trying to copy off the Pink Pony down the street. They’re world famous, I guess. Maybe it’s a turf war type of thing. When it comes down to it, I’ve never been curious enough to ask, all I care about is a cold beer and good food. The Pink Pony is always too crowded for my liking. I wanted quiet alone time with you, time to get to know you more. Time’s not on my side, and I have a limited amount to get to know you as it is. Sharing you with a crowd is not anything I’d want to do.”

  From the frown on her face, I must have shocked her again. I’m sure she doesn’t like being kept on her toes too much. We’re similar in that regard. Before seeing her this afternoon, I didn’t know I wanted to make her love me. I may have said a few things along those lines, but I figured I’d help her find herself. Heal. Be there for her like her aunt was there for me. Open her eyes to the world around her. Her future's so bright, and she doesn’t see it yet.

  I’d be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t already a tiny bit in love with her and all the way in lust. Both have nothing to do with her appearance. It’s her attitude, the person I see on the inside, the one she’s hiding. She knows it’s there, she only needs a little push in the right direction.

  “Sounds like a plan, Stan.”

  “I like the nickname Captain better. My ego needs stroking, so maybe you could stick to calling me that. About a thousand times a day should do it.” She thinks I’m kidding, but I’m serious.

  Grabbing her hand again, I lead her inside. Once the hostess sees me, she doesn’t say a thing before grabbing two menus and leading us back to my usual table. Being a regular has its perks.

  “Hey, Harrison, the normal for you to drink?” she asks.

  “Yes, ma’am, sounds great.” Motioning over to Morgan, I make introductions. “Morgan, this is Justine. Justine, this is my ‘friend’ Morgan from up north. She’s here for a couple weeks, helping out while Dave’s away. I’m sure you’ll be seeing her often.” Gesturing for her to take a seat, I follow her into the booth. Right next to her, not across.

  “Nice to meet ya, doll. What can I get ya to drink?” Justine asks.

  “Nice to meet you too. Whatever Harrison is having is fine with me.”

  “She’ll have a Coke,” I say immediately, before Justine can ask her for ID. Since I ordered a beer and she’s only eighteen.

  “Ouch. Why did you kick me, Red?” That fucking hurt.

  “I can order for myself, thank you very much. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m all grown and can speak for myself. Since you’ve employed me, you should know.” Turning her eyes from me back to Justine, she adds in the sweetest voice I’ve heard from her yet, “But okay, yes, I’ll take a Coke. Since that’s what I assumed he ordered anyway. Thank you.”

  How can I not want to pull her closer
when she mouths off to me like that? I’m a goner. Never in my life have I wanted to be around a woman as feisty as she is. Normally, I push those type of people out of my life.

  It’s got to be because I see her as independent even though she’s still finding herself.

  “Woman, watch it or I’m going to spank you later.” Lifting one eyebrow at her, I give her the biggest grin I can. I’ve never been so bold in public. I’d also never spank her, unless she’s into that shit. I’ve only ever kissed her, and that’s all I plan on doing before she gets on a plane headed back to New York.

  “You wouldn’t dare.” Only it’s not a question, it’s a statement.

  Giving her another stare down to let her know I mean business—even if I don’t—she relents and slumps down in the booth. Guess I won this round.

  He actually told me he’d spank me. What in the actual fuck?

  This getting to know each other shit is turning out to be more than I bargained for. Maybe I should put a stop to this now. Neither one of us has invested too much. I have a feeling if we keep getting closer I’ll be going back to New York with a broken heart. Undoubtedly.

  “Before you take a look at the menu, I’d like to give you the gift I have for you.” He pushes an envelope toward me on the table. It’s not like it has to go very far, he’s sitting right next to me. His sitting by my side is strangely intimate, yet comforting.

  “What’s this?” He’s truly giving me a gift? I could’ve sworn he was pulling my leg about that.

  “Open it and see. The contents may surprise you,” he says.

  Why am I nervous to open an envelope? It’s probably my paycheck for the next few days. He seems like the kind of guy who's on top of things and he may want to pay me ahead of time. Who knows?

  Opening it, I let out a gasp. A plane ticket? He got me a fucking plane ticket?

  “I don’t understand. Is this my pay for the next two weeks? When did you buy me a plane ticket? And this is leaving exactly two weeks from today. Clue me in here.” Please.

  “No, it’s not your pay. Consider it a gift, like I said. You mentioned a flight was the only reason you were taking the job from me, so I went ahead and purchased it for you. The money you earn on top of it will be yours to use once you’re back there. To help you get a head start on living your new life.”

  Holy shit.

  He bought me a plane ticket. He wants to pay me on top of it. He’s helping me to the first steps of my new start.

  Is he for real? I’m still in the dream I thought I was in yesterday. I’ve got to be. No one has ever given me anything without expecting something in return.

  I’m speechless. Utterly speechless. And deeply touched.

  Unsure of what to say, I mumble out a lame, “Thanks.”

  I can’t look him in the eye right now.

  “Morgan, look at me,” he says while lifting my chin to bring my gaze up to meet his. His intense gray eyes meet mine, and I still don’t know what to say.

  “Baby, it’s a gift. No strings. Purely accept it for what it is, and figure out what you want to eat. It doesn’t mean anything else but my wanting to help you. If you don’t want to use it in two weeks, we can change the date. Shit if you want to leave tomorrow, you probably could. The choice is yours … so is the ticket.” That has got to be the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.

  How am I supposed to keep him at arm’s length when he’s doing things like this and saying things like that?

  “Thank you. Truly. I may come off as a spoiled entitled rich bitch, but I’m not. Sienna bought me whatever I wanted, yes, but she never spent time with me. Never tried to get to know me. She figured all our issues could be solved with her buying me things,” Staring down at my hands like they hold all the answers, I all but whisper, “Her gifts always came with strings.”

  Nothing was ever free. If I wanted a new Prada purse? Go to this event, meet this person, and it’s yours. Smile for the cameras and you can go on a shopping spree. Want a new car? If you lose those extra five pounds you gained, I’ll buy you two. She claimed it was all for my benefit, but it wasn’t. She wanted me to be a mirror image of her.

  My problem is, I don’t want to be like her. At all. Maybe her cutting me off financially is what I needed to grow my own wings and fly. Stupidly, I thought going to college and partying would help me become my own person. But I still would’ve been under her thumb. Still made to appear good for the cameras. Screw that, I like cheese too much. Maybe I’ll gain a few pounds and embarrass her. It’d serve her right and make me happy in the process. My getting arrested wasn’t as big of a deal as you’d think it would’ve been. The press never truly got the whole story before it was frosted over. Covered with glitter, so to speak.

  Justine makes her way back to our booth to give us our drinks and take our orders. Without glancing at the menu, I order a double bacon cheeseburger. They’ve got to have those, right?

  “Do you have onion rings?” My mouth is watering thinking about onion rings. The batter, all that deep fried goodness. It’s all I can do to not shout “get in my belly!” like the fat guy in those Austin Powers movies.

  “You bet we do! Would you like those instead of fries with your burger?” Hell yes, I do.

  “Yes. Yes, I do. Make it a double order, I’m famished.” If they’re homemade, I may be able to eat three orders.

  Harrison laughs as he places his order. “There’s no way you’ll eat all that food. Good thing I like onion rings, I have a feeling I’ll be eating a few soon.”

  “Oh, no, I’m going to eat every single bite. I haven’t eaten since last night. Coffee is the only thing I’ve had all day. Besides, I feel this sudden urge to gain some weight.” Suck it, Sienna.

  “Do you want to make it interesting and make a bet?” he teases.

  “Why bother, we both know I’ll win. Besides, I don’t have anything to bet you.”

  “But that’s where you’re wrong. I never said the bet had to be money. We can bet for whatever you like. I know what I want when I win.”

  Well, my bet would be simple then. I’d like to see him go a whole day with his hat off. His hair appears amazing and it’s dark, so I already love it. Or maybe I should have him take his shirt off so I can ogle the goods. We should play strip poker, forget this bet.

  Actually, I would like to catch a fish. Maybe I should bet him to take me out fishing on our next day off.

  “If I win, you have to take me fishing.” Fishing seems to be the safest thing to bet. Asking him to go shirtless may give him the wrong idea.

  “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Game on. If I win, I want another kiss.” And he went there. Here I was trying to be good and bet something not having to do with us and he bets a kiss.

  “Hm… sounds like we both win.” I was already planning on laying one on him when he drops me off. He did buy me a plane ticket; doesn’t he deserve at least a kiss?

  “Oh, but I didn’t say where I wanted the kiss. You may have to end up kissing my big toe.” Nope. Pass. Big fat pass.

  “Um, no way in hell. I hate feet. So you better not make me kiss your damn toe.” Pass. Big frickin’ pass.

  Feet creep me out. Don’t get me wrong, I love the aspect of a guy barefoot in nothing but a good pair of jeans, but it doesn’t mean I want to touch the dude’s feet. No thanks. I’d rather be locked in a closet with no one but Sienna for an hour.

  “Fine, I’d like my winning kiss to be placed on my lips. Not my big toe. Even though he never gets any loving. Poor toe gets a bad rep.” And he actually frowns while saying that.

  “Deal. Should we uh … shake?”

  “Nah, let’s pinky swear. It’s more binding that way.”

  Harrison is a big kid. He only appears like an adult.

  Lifting my hand, I offer him my pinky. “Game on, Captain. You’re so going down, and I’m going fishing.”

  “Oh, but you see, I’d still take you fishing if you lose. All you have to do is ask.”

&nb
sp; “As long as I don’t have to touch any fish we catch, I would love to go. If I lose, but I’m so winning.”

  I lost.

  I fucking lost the bet. Harrison was right, I couldn’t eat all of my food. Turns out, the burger was a half-pound by itself; I couldn’t even finish half of it. But I did manage to eat every single onion ring. Harrison was sad when those ended up gone and he didn’t get one.

  When he dropped me off, I leaned in to give him a kiss and he turned away, telling me he didn’t want his payment until later. Then he proceeded to place a kiss on my cheek.

  Stupid, stubborn, irritating, sexy man.

  We still haven’t discussed my pay, but I’m not too worried about it anymore. My plane ticket is payment enough, but I won’t turn down any cash he passes my way.

  Trying to contact Celene is a joke. She hasn’t answered my calls since the night we talked about me staying with Gabe. I think she’s avoiding me. I’ve left her a few messages and gotten no calls in return. Maybe I should leave a message for Gabe instead, see if my return date is okay with him. I’ve got to have his number around here somewhere, at least I think I have it. Or maybe Celene will answer a damn email. Any kind of communication from her would be nice.

  Deciding to email her and ask to have Gabe call me, I make my way down to my aunt’s office. Not expecting to see her in there working, I let out a pathetic sounding yelp. To say she surprised me is an understatement.

  “Sorry, I didn’t expect to find you in here. I had an email to send out before heading to bed, but I can send it in the morning. Good night.” Turning around, I start to run back up the stairs.

  “Morgan, wait. I’d like to talk with you a bit, if that’s okay?”

  Nodding yes, I turn around and make my way over to the chair near her empty bookcases. Who has empty bookcases?

  “Why didn’t you ever respond to my calls or gifts? Not once have I ever had any reply from you. With you being here now, I’m not sure you ever received them. So, in essence, I guess I’m asking, did you get them?” The questions catch me off-guard. If I wasn’t already sitting down, I may have ended up meeting the floor. What gifts? Cards? I’ve only ever seen her once, and this is the first time I’ve heard of anything else.