NE

arvey took me with him to

s enveloped us. The dim lighting and cozy atmosphere immediately made me f

y with a warm smile, greeted Harvey b

started pouring him a drink. She

tions. Harvey noticed my hesitation and leaned in close. "Try th

t his proximity. "Okay," I said, and the

e, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "So, what

tly? I was a bit

et the hang of it," he said. "My family

w, intrigued. "Oh?

er. "Let's just say that my family has a lot of... history," h

g his thoughts. "My grandma Carla, for example," he

intrigued. "What do

inks I'm weak," he said. "That I'm not tou

s behalf. "That's not true," I sai

nce," he said. "But my grandma Carla isn't the

pointment. "I'm sorry

w," he said. "I've always been the 'sensitive' o

om is different," he said. "She's always been very supportive of me. She encoura

mom. "That's great," I said. "It's wonderfu

ing with gratitude. "Yeah,"

d, and he leaned in closer to me. "You know, Anne," he said, hi

cked onto mine. "I enjoy spending time with you

ers. "You're a really beautiful person, Anne,

d over me. No one had ever called me beautiful b

ying to play it cool. "That

is face inches from mine. "I mean it, Anne," he whisp

hed over me. I felt like I was melting into his gaz

pite the flutter in my chest. "Thanks, Harvey," I

his expression smooth once again. "Sorry about that," he said

re him. "No, it's fine," I said.

"I guess I should have warned you," he sai

relief wash over me. "I think

the corners. "Yeah, well, I've never be

rming and straightforward nature. But at the same time, I was determine

a spark of attraction. There was something about hi

an, and Harvey was just a means to an end. I needed to us

sation. I laughed at his jokes and asked him questions about his business, all the while trying t

t with me like we were old friends. I felt a pang of guilt for using h

×××××××××××××

ned to me and said, "Come with

t his offer. But Harvey's smile was p

inted windows. The driver, a tall, imposing man

rove through the quiet streets, we continued our

y's phone buzzed with an incoming call. I glanced at th

oice on the other end. "Ma'am Isabella is looking