He hated everything about this event. It was Louis's idea after all, that they should start mingling with the crowd more, go to fundraisers so that the firm (or what was left of it) would polish its image after the whole Mike scandal. Surrounding him tonight, an eclectic crowd of artists and doctors. He hated that he had to spend this Friday evening in this stupid art gallery, where the sale of Modern art tableaux would go to the much beloved children hospital. He made a special effort to talk with the doctors and surgeons and all the health specialists present, as they were the ones who could become potential clients. He was counting the business cards he was handing out, telling himself he could go home after giving the very acceptable number of 25.
Truth was, Harvey Specter would rather be at home watering his cactus.
It wasn't an euphemism: he was thinking about it right this moment, a cactus doesn't need much water but on the last Friday of every month he added those blue-powder vitamins to the water and today was the last day of the June so he was in kind of a hurry. No time to be at this stupid event.
His eyes scanning the room, he admitted to himself that the women were pretty. He could probably bring one back to his place to fuck her against the wall, after all, sex is good, but he knew better now. He knew that he would still wake up with a hollow sinking feeling in his chest, at the same spot that, he noticed, was filled by fluttery feelings whenever Donna would smile at him or make him laugh.
He was talking to that potential client, Dr. Solkanski, in front of a huge painting that resembled nothing artistic in his opinion, but looked more like something a kid would throw up after eating too many colorful candies, and then he saw HER.
She was coming right his way, wearing a sparkly dress that showed her long lean legs, all goddess-like. Someone moved to the side and then he saw she wasn't alone : she was holding someone's hand and he felt hot under the collar, his hands balling into fists, jealousy bubbling into every inch of his body.
"Harvey!" She waved at him but, despite being a great actress, she made a funny face. He was sure she was wondering the same thing he was. How do you greet your boss, close-friend, one-time lover, almost...something?
Apparently by giving him a kiss on the cheek. She smelled of Vanilla and lavender, her lips on his cheek were cool and soft. He wondered if she could feel how his skin was burning from jealousy...and it hit him: how that kiss was probably the closest they have been physically since 'the other time', and as much as he would have liked to enjoy the moment, there was this guy, brown-haired, sparkly smile, annoyingly tall and handsome, standing behind Donna, waiting to be introduced.
"Harvey. Meet Mitchell."
Mitchell had a firm handshake despite how laid back he seemed. Harvey didn't register how Donna explained to Mitchell their work-relationship he was too busy analyzing his new enemy. He wasn't wearing a suit and his shirt was ill-fitted but the guy was still very good looking, obviously a man who likes working out and taking care of himself. Harvey knew nothing about Donna's boyfriend. He never asked, he thought Mitchell would just be another boyfriend Donna would leave after a few months.
But seeing Mitchell rubbing Donna's back, asking her softly if she wanted a drink, Harvey realized it has been a few months and that Mitchell-guy was still in the portrait.
"Where did you two meet?" asked Harvey.
"Yoga!" Mitchell smiled his brightest smile while intertwining his fingers between Donna's fingers, making Harvey slightly nauseous. That douchebag had perfect teeth too. "She was doing downwards dog in front of me in that one class and damn! I knew I had to ask her out."
Harvey was pretty sure he tasted acid reflux in his mouth. Downwards dog. That jerk asked Donna out because he was checking her perfect ass. Harvey knew because, duh. He's a living man and of course he checked her out across his glass walls… It had happened more and more in the recent weeks. Fuck. He should have said yes when Donna proposed Yoga to "calm him down". Harvey was an idiot, totally.
"She's pretty flexible." Those words came out of Harvey's mouth on their own, driven by jealousy, without him thinking about the possible repercussions.
"She is!" replied Mitchell before he said "Wait. What? How...
"Mitchell!" Jumped Donna. "I really need a drink right now…" She squeezed his arm, batting her eyelashes, he couldn't say no. "Please?"
He gave his brightest smile to Donna before leaving to get drinks at the bar and Donna's whole demeanor changed immediately. .Well? What the hell Harvey!"
"You are the one managing my calendar," Harvey started, irritated. "You knew I had something here why the hell are you showing up with that...that…"
"Woah. Slow down. You know I'm dating Mitchell and as far as I know, you were okay with it. As for this event, I didn't planned on going but he insisted since he has a painting here to sell."
Harvey rolled his eyes. "Yoga and a painter? When you told me he had nothing to do with the practice of Law I thought he'd be I don't know...a…" He couldn't even finished his sentence, he couldn't think straight. It wasn't exactly panic. More sheer jealousy.
He was mad. Harvey was so mad for no particular reason except that Mitchell was probably as good looking as he is, visibly younger than he is and most of all, he had Donna.
He had Donna in a way that Harvey had been contemplating more and more like...a strong possibility. Mitchell had everything
That everything Donna told him about.
Harvey had nothing.
He suddenly felt like crying or running to the nearest bathroom stall to vomit his feelings. Or hit a wall. He surprised himself by not wanting to hit Mitchell. If that handsome douchebag made Donna happy well, be it. Donna should be happy. Harvey knew how to keep himself under check now. He took a few deep breath and smiled stupidly at Donna. If she was in love with that son of a bitch he would have to accept it.
Because Harvey Specter had realized he was in love with her.
And more than anything he wanted her to be happy.
He shook his head and let his arms dropped to his sides, defeated.
"Oh sweet Jesus…" Donna's eyes became wide. "Don't tell me you are doing this to me right now. You are jealous! Harvey, I need you to…"
"There you go! Sangria for milady!" Harvey and Donna jumped as Mitchell cheerfully slipped a glass in Donna's hands. Harvey spotted the pieces of orange and cherry and pineapple in the bottom of the iceless glass and laughed internally.
Donna always hated having fruits disintegrating in a drink.
Mitchell should have known this and also ask for extra ice.
Maybe there was hope.
