Chapter Five
Donna unlocked the door to her building, holding it open for Harvey, "Sorry, the elevator is actually broken."
Harvey sighed, "Is that a subtle way of telling me that you want a raise? Because it's not going to work!"
Donna laughed. "Can't blame a girl for trying," she said, stopping to open her mailbox on the way. "Actually, it was a way for me to say I could use the piggy-back ride now."
"Oh," Harvey replied, with all the smugness in the world, "is Donna Paulsen admitting defeat? I knew those shoes would break you! Best money I ever spent."
Donna rolled her eyes. "So now it was actually money well spent? I knew you'd finally admit it!" Harvey shook his head at her, feeling always at awe of her cunning wit, as she continued, "Whatever happened to all the gentlemen in the world?"
Harvey laughed. "C'mon," he beckoned, stretching out his hand towards her.
She laughed, "Very funny, Harvey. You do realize that I'm not actually going to let you carry me up three flights of stairs on your back."
"I know," Harvey nodded innocently. "I was just going to offer to carry your three pieces of mail for you."
Donna smacked his chest lightly with the aforementioned mail and started her way up the stairs, ignoring him. He followed, pace matching her own, and they entered Donna's humble abode soon after.
Harvey looked around to see that not much has changed since he was last here. The other time, its memories hung heavily on this place for him. "So, not much has changed," he commented.
Donna looked at him, rummaging in her cupboards for the elusive shot glasses she was returning to him. "Well, what did you expect?" she replied, reaching into the cabinet. "I don't really have that much time to decorate. My boss is kind of a hard-ass." She laughed, "Ahh, there they are."
She handed Harvey the shot glasses who nodded his thanks. They stayed that way for a couple of minutes, just staring, until he spoke, "Donna, about the other time…"
She backed visibly, and she regretted that her words had to come out so dismissive and final, "Is that what you really want to talk about?"
She doesn't want to get into that tonight, Harvey could see, so he just looked away. After a beat she said, "Well, I'm going to go get changed."
She made her way to her room and closed the door. She didn't think he would even bring that up again. She slipped off her shoes and took off the dress, opting to change into some sweatpants and a t-shirt. She was expecting him to be gone when she got back outside, it was like him to disappear and avoid. But instead, she saw that he had settled himself on her sofa and was looking at the picture on her coffee table.
It was a picture of a great memory. It had Donna's parents sitting together on the picnic table, both smiling at the camera. Her sister was sitting on the nearby lounge chair, holding her baby niece while her brother-in-law stood at the grill with Stephen (Harvey's younger brother). Meanwhile, Harvey's dad had his arm tightly around Donna whilst beaming. Harvey had been the one to set the timer on the camera and had run in quickly for the photo. He had whispered a dirty joke in Donna's ear just prior to the flash hence why they were staring at each other in the photograph, the laughter on her face matching that of Harvey's.
"He always had a way of getting people together," Harvey commented, referring to his father; and staring at her so intently that she had took look away.
She began rummaging for her remote as she agreed, "I know. I mean, I can barely get my sister to come visit me sometimes but he got us all out there. Those were good times."
He nodded his agreement and took a deep breath, finally taking in her appearance, he said, "I should go, it looks like you're all ready for bed. Wait, is this how you'd be dressed to go to sleep if I wasn't here?"
She sighed, "Harvey…"
"I know, I know," he cut in before she could finish. "Not my concern. You may be able to tell me that but you'll never stop me from thinking about it."
She rolled her eyes as she walked him to her door, "Goodnight, Harvey." She smiled as she closed the door.
Harvey sighed and made his way down the hallway. He was getting a major feeling of déjà vu. This was not the first time he was walking away from her when all he needed, all he needs…
He reached the elevator doors and pressed the button. He literally stood there for five minutes before remembering that they weren't working. He made his way for the stairs but found himself passing by them; he let his feet carry him back to her door. And before he could stop himself, his knuckles were poised to knock.
Donna heard the knock; she looked around her apartment to see if maybe Harvey had returned because he forgot something. She couldn't see anything and quickly stood up to answer the door.
She flung the door open, about to jokingly ask him if he came back because he could no longer walk since his feet were hurting in his shoes, too. But she didn't get the chance. His lips were on hers immediately. She was surprised at first but caught up soon enough.
Harvey was surprised that she was actually kissing him back. Happily surpised, very happy. And it just became a whirlwind after that. Bed. Clothes removed. Limbs tangled. Satisfaction.
..::..
Donna blinked, her eyes being assaulted by the tiny crack on her curtain that was allowing bright sunshine death rays to enter her room. She was yet aware of her surroundings and was just about to turn her clock towards her when she felt someone stir beside her.
Her eyes bulged, finally remembering everything that happened last night (and partially this morning, too). She turned to see Harvey sleeping on his stomach, his head turned towards her. The heaviness she felt on her hip had been his arm casually draped across her body. She smiled.
The moment was jarred when she heard a phone vibrating. She saw it on her night stand, it was Harvey's. It was probably Jessica or Mike, since she was pretty sure it was way too early for any else to be calling.
She reached for it and was about to nudge Harvey awake when she saw the name flashing on the screen: Zoe.