Harlem stared at it for a minute then reached out to caress his image. She whispered. “I’m so sorry.” Her assistant knocked on the door and poked her head inside. “Harlem?”
She snatched her hand back as if her fingertips had been singed. “Yes? Please come in, LaNette.”
“I have those files you requested.” She placed the folders on Harlem’s desk in just the precise order that Harlem liked.
LaNette didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she fidgeted with the buttons on her suit jacket. “I-I um also wanted to offer my condolences. I am really sorry for your loss. Damian was an amazing guy.”
Harlem glanced up. “He was, and thank you.”
“Please, let me know if you need anything.”
Harlem offered the best smile that she could. “I will.”
LaNette nodded and walked out of her office.
After she’d gone, Harlem wondered if she had come back to work too soon. She refused to second guess herself. Anything beat sitting alone in her condo with just her thoughts was good. Over the next several hours, she buried herself into her files. She immersed herself in getting caught up with everything that had been going on with the company.
Harlem had been so absorbed in reviewing documents that she was startled when LaNette rang her office phone. She picked up. “Hey, LaNette.”
“Were you expecting anyone? There is a Ms. Robins here to see you. She doesn’t have an appointment, and she’s not on your calendar.”
Elaina? She was the only Robins that Harlem knew. Why would she be here? “Give me a second and send her in.”
Harlem tidied up her desk, and shortly after that, Elaina strutted into her office. Harlem stood and pasted on a warm smile. She came around from her desk and extended her hand. “Hi, Elaina. I wasn’t expecting you.”
Elaina glanced down at Harlem’s hand but didn’t shake it. Her eyes were cold as she looked Harlem up and down. “I was hoping you and I could have a nice chat.”
Elaina seemed to be pissed, and Harlem had no idea where that energy was coming from. They had only met a couple of times. “Of course. Not sure what this could be about, but please have a seat.” Harlem directed Elaina to the plush, leather sofas in her office.
Elaina sat down. “It’s about Carter.”
“Carter? I’m not sure how helpful I can be when it comes to him.”
“Honestly, I think you might be very helpful. You see, Carter and I have decided to become exclusive.”
Why are you telling me? It was a weird thing to do. Harlem tried not to let on what he was thinking. Instead, she attempted another smile to come across as friendly. “Congratulations.” Harlem had often been told that she sometimes had a resting bitch face. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one. Whatever was on Elaina’s mind made her come across a little frosty. She didn’t bother to return Harlem’s smile. Maybe I imagined it.
Elaina seemed to be the type of woman that she always thought Carter would get serious with. First, she was a woman, fully-grown. Not those girls barely out of college. Both Elaina and Carter were around the same age. And, of course, Elaina was gorgeous. She could literally pass for a model. Elaina had striking red hair, electric baby blue eyes, and pouty pink lips. She was right about the same height as Harlem, maybe an inch taller at the most. Elaina had unblemished porcelain white skin. She could use a tan, in Harlem’s opinion. But otherwise, she looked like an airbrushed Barbie doll. Harlem had expected nothing less. She had also heard that Elaina was a lawyer, so she was educated and had her own thing going. Carter was starting to grow up after all.
“Thank you for your congratulations. I wasn’t sure you would be happy for us.”
Her words threw Harlem for a loop. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Can I be frank?”
“Of course.”
“Sometimes it can be difficult to build a new relationship. But, Carter and I have made the decision to do just that. Given your situation . . .” Elaina angled a glance down at Harlem’s stomach. “It has been challenging.”
Harlem’s smile quickly faded. “I don’t know how my situation has anything to do with your relationship.”
“Don’t you?” Elaina asked.
“No,” Harlem stated firmly. “I do not.”
“Woman-to-woman . . . Carter is not your man. He shouldn’t be running around doing your bidding at the snap of your fingers.”
Harlem stood. She needed to give herself some space before she choked the shit out of Elaina. “Are you trying to tell me that you brought your ass into my office over some bullshit? Some type of crazy jealously over Carter?!”
“I’m not the jealous type. Just stating facts.”
“I am grieving the loss of my boyfriend! For God’s sake, you were at his funeral! Why on earth would you think I would want Carter?”
“At some point, you two must have been close since you are carrying his baby!”
He told her. HE TOLD HER! Never mind the fact that Elaina thought Harlem had slept with Carter. Harlem began to shake with rage. “Get out! Get out of my office right now, or so help me God, someone will have to carry you out!” Harlem’s mind was racing. Nobody was supposed to know that Carter was biologically the father of her child.
Elaina narrowed her eyes. “I just
