This bitch is crazy! “I said, get the fuck OUT!”
LaNette burst into Harlem’s office. “Is everything okay?” She couldn’t make out what they were saying from her desk, but she could tell by their tone that the conversation was heated.
“I came to say what I needed to say. I think we’re done. Elaina cut her gaze away from Harlem and walked out.
Breathing hard, Harlem boiled with fury. “That woman is never to enter this building again. Make sure of it.”
LaNette nodded vigorously and immediately left to get security on the phone. “Will do.”
Harlem slammed the door behind her. She stomped over to her desk and picked up the phone. Angrily, she punched in Carter’s cell phone number. He picked up on the second ring. “What’s up? I’m in a meeting.”
Anger spiraled from the pit of her stomach. She screamed into the phone. “How could you?!”
Carter bolted upright in his chair. “Calm down!” A deep-set frown appeared on his face. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You had no RIGHT, Carter!” Harlem was so pissed her words weren’t even coherent as she slammed the phone down. Harlem snatched her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk and walked towards the door. She snatched her coat off the hook and put it on.
Harlem yanked the door open.
Concerned, LaNette immediately ran up to her. “Are you okay? Is there something I can do?”
Harlem shook her head. “No. I’m leaving for the rest of the day. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
*****
Harlem had been home almost an hour, and she was still shaking with rage. Her face was cradled within her hands as she sat on the couch.
She wasn’t surprised to hear the pounding on her door. “Harlem?! I know you’re in there. Open the goddamned door!”
Harlem got up, stomped over, and snatched it open. “You had no right to tell her my business!”
Carter pushed his way inside. “You called me at work raving like a lunatic, and I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
Her eyes flashed with anger as she shouted. “I’m talking about Elaina! It wasn’t your place to tell her. You were out of line.”
It all started to make sense. Carter began to calm. He could understand why Harlem would be pissed. He ran a frustrated hand down the back of his head. “She’s the first woman that I have ever been serious about. I felt she had a right to know. I wanted her to know why my interest in you was more than just a friend.”
“You felt?” She drew her head back. “What about me?” Her voice was strangled. “Did you even stop to think about discussing it with me first?”
She has a point. A thoughtful expression came across Carter's face. “I should have had a conversation with you about it first, and for that, I’m sorry.”
Harlem was still hot. Her face was flushed. “I might have been more prepared when Elaina showed up to my office. What exactly did you tell her? Why do I get the impression she thinks we slept together?”
“Wait? Elaina was at your office today? For what?”
“Apparently, to discuss me occupying so much of your time. Believe me. Elaina won’t have to worry about that anymore.”
His jaw clenched. Carter was beyond angry but tried to keep it in check in front of Harlem. “I’ll handle it.”
“What exactly did you tell her?” Her piercing gaze bore into him as her eyes narrowed. “Does she know that you were our donor?”
“No.” He scratched his chin as he thought back on their conversation. “I didn’t tell her all of the details. She only knows that you’re pregnant and I’m the father.”
Harlem placed the palm of her hand up to her forehead and closed her eyes in frustration. “Will you please stop saying that? Please.”
Carter lost it. “Do you think I enjoy saying it?! Don’t you think I wish you were carrying Damian’s kid! You act like this is fun for me. As if you’re the only one hurting. My best friend is dead. Damian is the only other person in this world who had my back, and someone I loved like a brother is gone. I’m doing my level best to keep it together. Will I make all the right decisions? Hell no! But, I made Dame a promise, and I intend to keep it!”
Harlem’s eyes popped open in surprise. Carter had been rock steady during Damian’s sickness and after his death. This was the first time she had seen him lose his cool.
Harlem pressed her lips together. “Look, I was just . . . I was taken off guard. I didn’t know how to handle it.”
Carter exhaled long and deep. “I should have talked to you first, and I’ll speak with Elaina.”
Harlem gave him a questioning look. “Do you really trust her with this?”
“Elaina is solid. She’s a good woman.”
Harlem wasn’t so sure about that. “If you say so. You’re the one that has to live with her.”
“Need I remind you that you don’t give off the best vibes either? Yet, Damian thought the sun rose and set in your smile.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
Harlem was misty-eyed. “He was right.” She laughed a little as the temperature came down from their heated argument.
“You are a little shit.” He chuckled too.
“Maybe, but you are arrogant, and until recently, out of control playboy.”
Carter turned serious. “Is that the real reason you never really liked me?”
Carter wants to get all deep and shit. I can’t deal with
