Reminding The SEAL (Navy SEAL Military Romance) (24 page)

Lucas shrugged, pencil moving easily over the paper. “It is what it is though. I can do it on the side or when I’m not studying. But there’s no way I can do this for a career. And like I said, there’s the family business to consider.”

“Humph,” said Harriet, watching him for a moment longer, than looking out at the view of the river. She could imagine it must be gorgeous in the fall when the leaves started to change. “Can I see your art?”

Hesitating, Lucas looked up at her. Biting his lip a bit, he passed over the sketchbook. “It’s not very good.”

Harriet started flipping through it. “Yes it is.”

“I’ve taken some classes, but not many. Have to stick with the track I’m on and there aren’t many free electives.”

“You guys have enough money, I don’t see what the problem would be with you studying what you want.”

Lucas shook his head. “You don’t get it. It’s a family business. He wants to keep things in the family. I’m the heir, the only child. So I have to.”

Harriet looked at him a moment. “No you’re not an only child. I mean, technically...”

Looking up at her, Lucas broke into a smile. “You know what, you’re right. I mean, we’ll have to see how things go, but you just might be what I need.”

“Thanks,” said Harriet sticking her tongue out at him.

Lucas laughed and took the sketchbook back. “Come on, let’s go back to the house. I understand we have dinner in the city tomorrow night?”

“That’s what I was told. I’ve only been to New York City once before. This is all pretty crazy to me.”

“I can imagine. You’ll do great though, you seem really nice.” Lucas gave her a smile that warmed her belly. She reminded herself that he was her stepbrother now.

“Thanks. Like you said, at least our parents are happy, that’s the most important thing in the end.” Harriet smiled at him in return.

“We’ll probably go into the city tomorrow afternoon. We’ve got an apartment there as well, Dad mostly uses it if he’s going to be the city a lot during the week for work.”

“And I’d imagine it probably cost more than a year of college for me.” Harriet shook her head. “Sorry, just getting used to all of this.”

“I know.” Lucas took her hand. “There’s a town close by, want to go for lunch? Something a bit more normal?”

“Can you do normal? Okay.” His hand felt good in hers. Harriet had a feeling she was going to be in trouble.

***

Like his father, Lucas had no problem driving himself. There were a number of cars available, and he took the least ostentatious one, getting the door for her. The town was quaint, clearly aimed at tourists and probably the wealthy families that lived in the area. Lucas parked the car. “If you don’t mind, there’s an art supply shop close by. Then lunch is on me.”

“Well, can’t argue with that,” said Harriet.

They walked into the art store. It was clear the woman running the place knew him. She smiled and greeted him warmly.

“Angelina, this is Harriet,” he said, introducing them.

“Ah, you must be the daughter then. We’d heard that Reggie got married, seen your mom a few times in town. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you.”

Lucas went to look at a few things. “He’s really a good artist,” she said wistfully. “Just feels like he can’t pursue it.”

“That’s what he said. I’m studying business myself.”

“Oh I hope everything works out for both of you, then.”

Lucas bought a few things and they walked down to the diner. She ordered a big hamburger and he ordered a slightly smaller one. “This place is great,” he said.

“It smells good. Have to see when I get their french fries. That’s how you know if it’s a good diner.”

“Lucas.” A couple boys sauntered over to the table. “See you’re home from college, who’s the chick?”

He sighed but smiled at them. “This is Harriet Day. My new stepsister.”

“Oh yeah, heard your dad got drunk and got hitched. Can’t he get that annulled?”

“My father is perfectly happy. How’s your mother’s fourth marriage going?” Lucas kept his tone perfectly calm, but the other man’s face darkened.

“You leave my mother out of this,” he growled.

“Then you leave my father out of this. And Harriet. And her mother.” Lucas met his eyes.

“See you at the Wilson dinner then, I suppose,” he said ominously, grabbing his cronies and walking away.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Some people need to grow up,” he muttered.

“I’m beginning to see where you get it from,” smiled Harriet. “Thank you.”

“Both my father and I were raised to believe that it’s the person that matters, not where they are in life. A few of my peers could use the same lessons.”

Harriet reached across and squeezed his hand. “I like you a lot.”

Lucas smiled back at her, meeting her eyes. Harriet tried to ignore the flip in her stomach. “I like you too,” he said.

“Great. Now tell me what I need to know about this fancy dinner. I don’t need to make a fool of myself.”

Lucas chuckled. “You’ll do fine, just be yourself.”

***

The next afternoon found her standing in front of a mirror in the city flat, examining the way the blue dress clung to her curves. It was ridiculous, like she should be modeling, not attending a dinner. Her mother came in and smiled. “You look beautiful, darling.”

Harriet met her eyes in the mirror. “I don’t look ridiculous?”

“Not at all. The opposite really. You’ll do wonderful tonight.” She put a necklace around her throat. “Maybe you’ll land yourself a handsome young bachelor.”

“Mom, I’m not looking for that. I’ve got school to finish.”

“Just don’t rule it out. I mean look at me and Reggie.”

Harriet rolled her eyes. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.” She took her mom’s hand and stepped in to the front room. Reggie and Lucas were waiting for them. Lucas gave her an appreciative look, his suit setting off his eyes and fitting him very well indeed.

“You look beautiful,” he said unknowing echoing Rachel. He came to her and offered his arm.

“Thank you,” she said, accepting it and smiling warmly at him.

Reggie cleared his throat. “Come on, the car is waiting.”

They were taken to another penthouse. Harriet couldn’t help but stare out the window at the city as they passed. She quietly pinched herself again, just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming about wearing a gorgeous dress and going to some formal dinner at an expensive penthouse in New York City. She wasn’t.

They arrived and the door was opened by a footman. Harriet took Lucas’s arm again as they went into the elevator, buzzing quietly with excitement. “You’ll be fine,” said Lucas quietly after their parents stepped out of the elevator first. Harriet grinned at him.

They were shown inside. Harriet tried very hard not to stare. The place was maybe even a bit nicer than Reggie’s house, full of art and sculpture and very fancy people. Lucas kept her close, getting her a glass of champagne and then walking around with her and making introductions. Harriet tried hard to keep up, mostly just keeping a warm smile on her face. She caught some other names she recognized from the business world and a couple celebrities. Mostly she was just glad for Lucas’ steady arm in hers and his gentle guide.

After a short time, they were all shown to a table. Lucas was seated a short ways down from Harriet, her parents past him and towards the end of the table. Worse, the young man that had argued with Lucas at the diner was seated at her right. She wondered if it would be rude to ignore him all night.

Of course, he wasn’t going to give her that chance.

“I don’t think we got properly introduced. I’m Chad,” he said. “Harriet, right?”

“Yes,” she said shortly, not liking the wicked gleam in his eye.

“I suppose you’ve never had a dinner like this,” he said.

“Maybe not exactly, but I do know which fork to use,” she said, knowing that she shouldn’t rise to his bait.

Somehow she made it through the first course without stabbing him under the table with a fork, though he continued a steady stream of snide remarks, just quiet enough for her to hear. On her left was an older woman and Harriet tried to start up a conversation, but she was more engaged with the person on her own left.

By the middle of the second course she was getting fed up. “Haven’t you ever heard if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?”

He sneered at her. “I was always taught to ignore the help.”

Harriet raised her hand though if she was going to smack him; she was stopped by the fact that somehow she bumped into her silverware which knocked over her glass which toppled forward and spilled onto the lap of the nice gentleman sitting across from her.

The entire party froze. Chad broke the silence by laughing at her while the gentleman’s wife tried to wipe up his lap. Harriet blushed. “I’m so sorry,” she said, trying to ignore Chad and starting to stand and help.

“You’ve done quite enough,” snapped the woman.

The man seemed much more calm about it. “Accidents happen, dear.”

“Maybe she did it on purpose,” said Chad.

Harriet meant to elbow him in the shoulder. She caught his nose instead. He gave an aborted cry and grabbed a napkin. “You bitch!,” he growled, trying to staunch a nosebleed.

“You don’t talk to her that way!,” growled Lucas, leaping to his feet and taking her arm. “Excuse us,” he said to the table and led her quickly out of the room.

Harriet fought back tears as they went out to the balcony. “Maybe Chad’s right and I don’t belong here.”

“Hey,” said Lucas, taking her by the shoulders. “Yes you do. You’re part of this now and George was an asshole to sit you away from us and next to him.” He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. “You’ll smear your makeup.”

Harriet started to laugh. “Oh Lucas, this is ridiculous.”

“It is a bit, yes. And frankly I’m glad you gave him a nosebleed. I should have punched him years ago, or someone should have.”

“You know I didn’t do that on purpose,” she said, looking at him.

“I know.” Lucas reached out and cupped her cheek, running a thumb along her skin, looking into her eyes. Harriet held her breath, feeling like maybe he was going to kiss her.

“Are you all right?” Mom swooped in, just in time and they quickly broke apart.

“Yeah, mom, I’m fine,” said Harriet, taking the handkerchief and dabbling at her eyes.

“Rachel, maybe Harriet and I should stay in the city for a few days. Not that she needs it, but we can practice a bit at these sort of situations.”

Rachel looked between them. “Harriet is not stupid.”

“I never said she was. But these sorts of things take practice.”

Rachel sighed. “Okay, but you take care of her, okay?”

Lucas smiled. “I will. I mean, if it’s okay with Harriet.”

Nodding, Harriet gave him a smile. “It’s fine. I do probably need a princess 101 course anyway.”

“Good,” said her Mom, “Now come on and finish dinner.”

They all three went back inside. Chad had switched seats with someone and Harriet took a little bit of wicked pleasure in the spot of blood on his white shirt. Lucas was right; he needed someone to do something. Maybe now he’d think twice about the next time he made fun of someone he perceived as lower than him.

The rest of the dinner went much more smoothly. Harriet was able to make conversation with her new neighbor, finding out that she had a boutique shop of her own and a decent head for business. They talked business until desert was finished and people began to move away from the table and into other conversations. Lucas started to walk towards her but she shook her head, finding another conversation on her own and trying to at least listen politely.

Finally things began to wind down. Reggie collected them and they went down to the waiting car. Harriet covered her mouth as she yawned, drifting off against the window as they moved through the city.

***

The next day, Reggie and her mom went back to the house outside the city, while she and Lucas stayed in the apartment. “Have you been here before?” asked Lucas.

“No, actually, always wanted to go, though.”

“Well then, as a born New Yorker I’m obligated to give you the official tour,” smiled Lucas. “There is a lot to see and you can’t do it all in one day, but we can at least hit the highlights. And there’s plenty of time to see the rest.”