The last few days had been trying, and Harvey was happy to finally be able to breathe. In the end, he stayed a few more days in Boston to enjoy his brother and the children before returning to New York. Back to the big city, the lawyer had thrown himself back into work while continuing to observe Donna from afar until being called a few days later by his brother.
«Marcus, hey»
«Hey brother, am I bothering you?»
«Not at all. Tell me»
«Could you come back to Boston?»
«Is everything okay?»
«Yeah. Look, we talked a lot with Katie and we found a solution, but we would still like to have this seen with a lawyer and also thank you in person for having more or less settled the thing. Could you come?»
«I'll be there this weekend»
«Thank you, Harvey»
«See you, brother»
«See you, yeah»
After that, Harvey dove back into work before taking his car to go to Boston for the weekend. As soon as he arrived, he sat down at the table with his brother and sister-in-law, where they all came to an agreement: Katie would keep the house and the children, Marcus would live in an apartment right next door, being separated for a moment, the time for Marcus to finish his program, while the father had the right to see his children every day, and if one day he didn't stick to his plan, Katie would get sole custody of the children, and the divorce would be finalized. Harvey had to admit that he was relieved to see that things were not completely over between the couple and that they were still giving their family a chance, something that had not happened with him and his brother when they were kids. And as both of them signed the contract drawn up by Harvey, Marcus turned to his brother with a smile.
«Can I buy you a drink to thank you?»
«Of course»
An hour later, the two Specters were at the bar with a beer each, talking about everything and nothing until Marcus cleared his throat.
«Hey, we never really talked about it, and since you haven't said her name once in the last few weeks — even though you never really talked about her — how are things with Paula?»
«It's over»
«Alright. And why?»
«Let's say that she expected things from me that I couldn't give her»
«Do these things have to do with Donna?»
Seeing his brother taking another sip of beer, he smiled sadly.
«What happened, Harvey?»
«Donna kissed me when she found out about Paula because she needed to know, and since I didn't want to lie to Paula, I told her about it. In the end, she asked me to fire Donna, and since I couldn't do it, I tried to find her a job elsewhere. That evening, I found her resignation letter on my desk and I didn't think twice, I just broke up with Paulafor her to come back »
«You chose Donna»
«I'm always going to choose Donna»
«I know, brother»
«Anyway, Paula wasn't the one for me, Donna continues to work at the firm, and things are back to normal»
«And how are things with Donna now?»
«It's almost normal. We found a certain complicity, but I don't know, there's something different since I chose her over Paula»
«Like what?»
«I don't know. It's like sometimes, we're... flirting?»
«Really?»
«Yeah. But I think it's just for fun»
«What kind of flirting?»
«Well, for example, the other day, Louis has to get his sperm tested because his girlfriend wants a baby, and he came to my place to ask me for advice on what to think about to make it happen, you know. And, I don't know, I joked that I was thinking about tomatoes, and he seemed really excited about my proposition, so when he went out, Donna came in, and, of course, she had heard the whole thing. So she came into my office, but made a joke about tomatoes, and I couldn't help myself»
«What?»
«I told her that what turned me on was strawberries and whipped cream»
«What does that even mean?»
«The other time, when we slept together, I literally ate strawberries and whipped cream off her hot body, Marcus»
«You kidding?»
«I'm not»
«Jesus, you licked whipped cream off her body, and you two continued to work together for over ten years like it was nothing? How is that even possible?»
«Trust me, I'm wondering the same thing»
«So what? You were saying that, and?»
«Yeah. And I saw the way she looked at me, and I couldn't help but be just as horny as I was twelve years ago when I saw her. There was real sexual tension in my office, but she changed the subject, the conversation ended there, and we went back to our business»
«Harvey?»
«Yeah?»
«Why don't you stop?»
«I don't know what you're talking about»
«Brother, I know you're not going to like me telling you this, but I have to. I know you're afraid of being betrayed like dad was, you don't want to suffer or anything, but you've been in love with her for almost fifteen years. How many times have you almost lost her? And you keep deluding yourself»
«Marcus, I —»
«Harvey. For a second, I thought I was going to lose my wife, and I've never been so lost and unhappy. Donna is not your wife, I know that, but I'm sure you feel exactly like me from a few weeks ago when things weren't going well between you. You're in love with her, and she's in love with you, she's just waiting for you to wake up»
«She's not —»
«She is. Why do you think she's the one I call when things are going badly? Because I know she'll always do anything for you, and she's the only one you listen to and trust. She could have not even listened to my message or forgot to tell you about it, but there you were in Boston the next day, and I'm pretty sure you got her on the phone to tell her how you were feeling right after, am I wrong?»
«No»
«So stop pretending everything is normal between you two and do something. I'm sure she's waiting for that»
«She told me she didn't feel anything when she kissed me»
«Oh, come on, she's lying»
«What if she isn't?»
«Harvey. You're lying to yourself, she's lying to herself, and you're both lying to yourselves when it's obvious for everyone. I mean, remember my birthday two years ago, when you came with Donna?»
«What about it?»
«Once you two left, everyone was talking about my sister-in-law, how great you two are together, and all that. Not once did you touch each other or even call each other a couple, and yet, it was obvious to everyone. Come on, stop hiding»
«I'm scared»
«I know»
«What if it doesn't work? I'm so fucked up in my head, I'm afraid she doesn't have the patience and —»
«Patience? Brother, come on, we're talking about Donna. If there's one person who has patience with you, it's her. She's been patient for almost fifteen years, and she's still waiting for you, trust me, she'll wait fifteen more, I promise you»
«How do you want me to approach the subject? Hey, I've been pushing you away for fifteen years, but now, I want everything with you? I don't want her to think she's just one of many, she's different»
«So do things differently»
«How?»
«Court her»
«What?»
«Come on, I know you, I know you're the type of guy to flirt and pick up, but if she's different, do things differently»
«Like doing everything to win her back?»
«Exactly. And I know she'll fall into your arms immediately because you two are like two magnets, but court her without thinking about ending up in her bed that same night. Show that you want her and that you're seriousabout your intention »
«Court her…»murmured Harvey.
«Court her, yeah»confirmed Marcus.
After his discussion with Marcus, Harvey returned to New York in a confused state. He wanted Donna, he really did, he loved her for sure, but fifteen years is a lifetime, and if Marcus was convinced that the redhead loved him like he loved her, he was still afraid to make the first move. Days passed, and after all that shit with Kevin Miller, Stu Buzzini, and Sean Cahill, he just wanted to celebrate, and the only person he wanted to be with was her, the redhead who was making his heart beat widely. Unfortunately, she never called him back that night, and Harvey spent the evening and part of his night thinking and drinking alone. He needed her, like he needed air to breathe, and he had to do something about it, so in the morning, before she even arrived, he went to get a huge bouquet of red roses that he put on her desk, as about twenty minutes later, Donna arrived in her office in turn only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw the bouquet of flowers. Approaching and already smiling at the fact that Thomas had done that for her, she heard her cell phone ring and chuckled when she saw her now boyfriend's name on the screen.
«Hey»
«Hey, did you get to work okay?»
«Yeah. By the way, thank you for the flowers»
«The flowers?»
«Yeah, the ones on my desk»
«Ah, hum, it's not me»
«What?»
«Yeah, I didn't know you were into flowers, but next time — »
«Oh, no, don't worry, it's probably in the wrong office or from a client»
«I have to be wary of clients too so»chuckled Thomas.
«Obviously»snorted Donna.
«There's no card inside?»
«I haven't looked yet. Wait»
At the same time, she found a small card, and her breath caught as she read the words.
Donna. Just to thank you for being in my life and being so perfect.
Alright, so these flowers were for her, and given the words on the card, it was someone close to her. If the first person she had in mind made her heart race and buckle her knees, she quickly chased the idea from her mind before hearing Thomas' voice.
«So?»
«Nothing. There's nothing, it's probably a mistake»
«Oh, alright, that's weird. Anyway, see you tonight?»
«See you, Thomas»
«See you, Donna»
As soon as she hung up, she read the little note over and over again before looking at the bouquet. Roses, the most romantic flowers for her, what's more, red, the color of love and passion, and if she thought it was adorable and sexy, what was even more was the fact that it was the biggest bouquet she had ever seen, with at least seventy flowers that gave off a pleasant smell in the room, while Donna felt her heart racing at the idea that a stranger could have delivered this to her. Unfortunately, she had no way of knowing who it was because the note on the card had been printed and she hadn't seen anyone come out of her office, so she put them in a vase in the corner of her office to start her day. A little later, as she passed Harvey, she had the feeling that something had changed, and, as he looked at her with his tender and deep eyes, the redhead wanted to punch herself in the stomach until the butterflies she felt at the sight of him disappeared. For heaven's sake, she has a boyfriend now. If she trued to change her mind, she saw the lawyer approaching her.
«Hey»
God, why was his voice so soft and sexy.
«Hey»
«Are you okay?»
«Yeah. By the way, sorry for the drink last night, I didn't see your call»
«It's fine, don't worry. We can go for a drink another time»
«Sure»
«What about tonight?»
«Harvey, I —»
«Harvey. We need to talk right now»
Louis. Great. For the first time, she was so happy that he interrupted them for once, not having the courage to confess to him that she was going out with her boyfriend tonight. So after a last smile, Harvey left the hall, leaving Donna and her thousands of thoughts running through her mind. The day continued until she heard three knocks on the door and saw a young man waiting in front of it.
«Yes?»
«Are you Donna Paulsen?»
«I am, yeah»
«This is for you»
«Oh, thank you»
As soon as the huge Gucci bag was on the table, Donna waited for the young man to leave to open it, only to discover magnificent shiny leather slingback pumps in dark red, pointed toes, and an eye-catching Gucci chain on the side. They were so beautiful, and Donna smiled, thinking that Thomas wanted to make up for the flowers this morning, but as she was about to call the architect to thank him, she stopped short when she saw the little note attached to the box.
It will go perfectly with your burgundy dress from Fendi, and with the roses from this morning too.
Alright, it was definitely not Thomas, but the mysterious stranger from this morning, and at the thought, Donna's heart was racing. Who knew her well enough to know what she would like and was willing to spend that much money on her? God, she was torn between embarrassment that it wasn't her boyfriend and wishing it was the man in the next office who was behind all this. So with a deep breath, she put the shoes away and got back to work. The day passed, and as she was about to leave, she heard Harvey's voice echoing behind her.
«Donna»
Hearing his sexy voice, she stopped dead in her tracks before turning to see the lawyer trotting towards her, only to stop a few feet away and smile at her.
«Hey»
«Harvey, hey»
«Hum about that drink tonight..»
«Harvey, I have a last minute thing tonight»
«Oh. Alright, next time, then. It's fine»
«Yeah»
«You liked it?»
As Donna stared at him in confusion, she followed what his finger was pointing at and felt her breath catch as he pointed to the Gucci bag she had in the crook of her arm.
«What?»
«The pumps. You like it?»
«It was you?»
«Of course. No one else could have bought her such gorgeous shoes, right?»
«The roses?»
«I wanted to get more but the florist was out of stock»
«Harvey, I don't understand»
As the lawyer put his hands in his pockets, he looked around with a bit of embarrassment, and after noticing that they were all alone, he cleared his throat before speaking.
«I talked to Marcus when I went to Boston, and he opened my eyes to something»
«What?»
«I'm sorry for the last twelve years»
«I don't understand»whispered Donna.
«I should never have left you that morning, after the other time»
«Harvey»
«There's not a day that I don't regret it. All these years I've been acting like an asshole, and then with Paula… I'm sorry, I should have put you first from the beginning»
«Harvey, if this is to apologize, you shouldn't have, it's way too much, and even then, I've already forgiven you before and —»
«It's not just to make up for it»
«What is —»
«I want everything with you»
«What?»
«These last few weeks, I could feel that something had changed between us. You're always on my mind, and I'm sure it's the same for you, so why fool ourselves and be apart if — »
«I'm seeing someone»
Faced with Donna's revelation, both of them fell silent, the lawyer feeling like he'd been stabbed in the heart while the redhead felt like throwing up seeing his jaw clench.
«What?»
«I started to see someone, and things are pretty serious between the two of us. He's a nice man and— »
«I'm sorry, Donna. I didn't know»
«It's fine. Harvey, it's just —»
«No, you don't have to justify yourself. Have a nice evening, Donna»
Without even waiting for a response from her, Harvey turned and walked quickly to his office, leaving Donna speechless in the lobby in front of the elevators. Hearing the doors open behind her, she stepped inside before feeling her breath quicken and her eyes fill with tears. She had been waiting for this for fifteen years, twelve and a half years since she had spent the night with him and he had rocked her entire world, years she had been waiting for him to do something, and now that she was in a serious relationship with a good man, he had to talk. She couldn't believe it. On the other side of the firm, Harvey paced back and forth in his office, completely lost in the face of everything that had just happened. Finally, after nearly fifteen years of acting blind, he had finally gathered his courage to talk to her, only to lose her in less than thirty seconds to a stranger. He didn't know what to do, and the only solution he could see was to get drunk until he fell asleep, his mind numb, but that was without counting on his brother, who was trying to reach him at the same time. His idea of a drunken evening passed by the time he picked up.
«Marcus, hey»
«Hey. So, how did it go with Donna?She liked the roses and gift? You had a good idea with that »
«It's dead, Marcus»
«What? Why?»
«She's seeing someone»
«What?»
«I saw her, I told her it was me, and she confessed to me that she was seeing someone, that things were going pretty seriously, and he was a nice guy»
«So what? Are you going to give up?»
«She's with someone»
«She's not going to get married, as far as I know. She must not have been with this guy for long, a few weeks' relationship is not going to erase fifteen years of feelings. If you love her, fight for her, and show her that you're the one who deserves to be by her side, not this guy»
«What if it's too late? I told you I didn't want to suffer»
«Because you're okay right now knowing she's spending her evening with someone else?»
«No. I'm miserable»
«Exactly. So don't stop, keep going. The flowers and the gifts were a good idea, show her that you're serious and that you won't let her go»
«Yeah, you're right. Thanks brother»
«Hey, it's the least I can do, you saved my ass with my wife, I'm helping you save yours with your work wife, who will one day become your wife too»
«Alright, don't get too excited, we should first finally manage to get together»
«It'll be fine, brother. Go get your girl»
«Thanks Marcus»
As soon as he hung up, Harvey began to think while Donna paced back and forth in her living room on the other side of Manhattan. She had no idea what to do with everything that had happened that day, and when she just wanted to have a glass of wine, she heard her phone ring and swallowed hard when she saw her boyfriend's name.
«Hey»
«Hey, Donna»
«How are you?»
«Good. What about you?»
«I'm fine»
«So tonight? Yours or mine?»
«Hum, do you mind if we don't go out tonight? It's been a long day, and I think I'm just going to take a shower and go to bed»
«Don't worry, I understand»
«Are you sure?»
«Yeah, yeah, don't worry. Look, can we call each other tomorrow?»
«Sure. Good night, Thomas»
«Good night, Donna»
As soon as she hung up, Donna complied, took a shower, and put on her pajamas before lying down on her bed and staring at the ceiling. If she thought she was going to fall asleep after a while, she was interrupted a little later by someone knocking on her door. Surprised that someone could come to her house so late, she hurried to open the door only to stop abruptly.
«Harvey?»
«Hey»
While he was still in his three-piece suit, a sign that he had come straight from the office and had not yet returned home, Donna was wearing a matching top and light gray pajama shorts, allowing the lawyer to check out her long pale legs, a light strip of skin on her stomach, the beginning of the hollow of her breasts, and her thin arms covered in freckles.
«What are you doing here?»
«I won't give up»
«What?»
«What I told you earlier, I really meant it. I really want everything with you, and I know you have someone, but I won't give up, I'll do anything to win you back. I'm not just doing this for nothing, I want something serious, so we're going to continue like this, you live your life, and I'll do anything to win you over, no matter what you decide. I like challenges, and I like winning, so I'll do anything to be the winner here»
Without even waiting for a response from her, he approached, and tenderly placed his lips on Donna's cheek for a few seconds before turning and leaving the hall and the speechless redhead at her doorstep. After a restless night, the next day, it was since then that it became the most difficult because Harvey saw things in a big way and did everything to win her back, to the great despair of Donna, who was completely lost between the lawyer and the architect. As soon as her alarm rang, the redhead grabbed her phone before feeling the butterfly in her stomach as soon as she saw a text from Harvey.
Since last night, I can't get you out of my head. I can't wait to see you this morning.
For a few seconds, she hesitated to answer him: Stop it? Come to my place? I'm with Thomas? Let's run away? I hate you? I love you? God, she was so lost, but as she read the message for the fifteenth time, she was interrupted by a message from Thomas.
Hey, I hope you slept well. See you tonight?
Alright, it was going to be complicated. After responding positively to Thomas and deleting Harvey's last message for fear that her boyfriend would come across it, she got up, washed, and dressed to then arrive at the office and stop dead in her tracks when she saw her desk. On it, a coffee still hot from the steam escaping next to a single rose and a little note, the boyish handwriting of the lawyer she recognized among a thousand.
I'm in court, but I can't wait to see you when I get back. I'm sure you look beautiful, as always.
He was going to be the death of her. As she inspected the rose for a few seconds, she added it to the bouquet from the day before before sitting down at her desk, grabbing the hot coffee — triple whip, double fat, extra shot mocha latte with caramel, God, he knew her so well — before taking a sip of the hot beverage as she read the little note over and over again until Katrina burst into her office and the redhead quickly put the post-it note away in the desk cabinet.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«Are you okay, Donna?»
«Yeah, yeah, why?»
«I don't know, you seem weird»
«Oh, I have a love on my mind. Anyway, how can I help you?»
For about twenty minutes, the two women talked until the blonde left and Donna finally started working. Around two o'clock, when she was coming back from picking up a paycheck on the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Harvey sitting in her office, waiting for her, as she walked slowly forward.
«Harvey»
«Hey»
«What are you doing here?»
«I was waiting for you. Here, it's for you»
Recognizing the little turquoise blue bag from Tiffany's, Donna hummed.
«No»
«What?»
«No way, Harvey»
«Why not?»
«You're not going to buy gifts like that»
«Why not? I've been doing it for twelve years, I'm not going to stop now»
«Now, it's different, and you know it»
«Why? Because I decided to win you back? That's right. Anyway, I hope you like it, it's the same collection as the earrings you bought for your birthday with my card»
«Harvey»
«I have to go, but see you later? By the way, I was right, you do look beautiful»
Without waiting for a response from her, the lawyer left the redhead's office, who, after making sure that no one had seen him offer this jewel, opened the bag to discover a magnificent silver bracelet with diamonds all around. She knew she should give it back to him, or even not wear it, but as she slid her thumb over it, she saw Harvey walk past her desk again out of the corner of her eye, before approaching her with his arrogant smile, grabbing the chain between his fingers to slide it delicately around her wrist, closing it, and placing his lips on the clasp, touching her delicate skin at the same time, where he could feel her pulse quicken beneath his lips. As soon as he left, she exhaled with her eyes still wide open. The rest of the day, she didn't see him again, and she was glad because she felt like she was losing her mind, and that same evening, when she heard Thomas knock on her door, she quickly removed the bracelet, hid it in her bag before opening the door. When the architect kissed her, she felt like throwing up. This man was perfect, she was happy with him, and even if nothing was happening with Harvey and she had asked him to stop, she hadn't really stopped him either and was flattered to be hit on like that. The rest of the evening, the redhead chatted with her boyfriend, forgetting for a few hours her heart swinging between the two men, until the next day, when she woke up next to Thomas, her phone in hand, erasing Harvey's morning message telling her that he had dreamed of her while hearing the deep breathing of the man next to her. Again, she arrived at work where a coffee, a rose, and a little note were waiting for her, followed by a gift from him and the lawyer who kept looking at her with love and lust the entire day, the redhead giving in little by little. For five days, he continued to do everything to spoil her by covering her with gifts: Monday a diamond bracelet, Tuesday a Ralph Lauren dress, Wednesday a Louis Vuitton handbag, Thursday a Burberry trench coat, and Friday, when she discovered yet another dress from Fendi, she was surprised that the note left by the lawyer was not to compliment her appearance but rather an invitation.
Eat with me this afternoon.
She knew she had to refuse, but when he showed up at noon sharp in front of her office door, his deep gaze making her melt, she couldn't say no to him, and, an hour later, the two of them were eating their lunch in one of the most chic bistros in the city. As they talked about everything and nothing, Donna was trying to avoid finding herself in an awkward situation again, she felt the lawyer's gaze fixed on her while she tried to stay focused on her plate, but without success.
«Harvey, stop»
«What?»
«Looking at me like that»
«I'm sorry, I can't help it. You're so beautiful»
«Stop, please»
«I can't, I'm sorry. I've never seen a woman as beautiful as you»
«Oh really?»snorted Donna, not believing a word he was saying.
«Really»
Seeing his sincere look, Donna swallowed hard as Harvey resumed the conversation.
«I see you're wearing my bracelet»
«Well, diamonds weren't going to stay in the box»
« One day I'll buy you with a huge one for your fourth finger »
Faced with Harvey's words, Donna froze while looking at him with wide eyes, shocked by what he had just said. Diamond? Fourth finger? Did he want to insinuate with that?
«Harvey stop»
«I'm serious, I will, you know»
«Stop»
«I said I wanted everything with you»
«I said stop»
Seeing Donna's closed face, Harvey cleared his throat before murmuring in a soft voice.
«I'm sorry»
«Anyway, I have things to do, we should go back to the firm»
«Of course, yeah»
The return to the firm was silent, Harvey wondering if he had gone too far while the redhead couldn't believe that the man who was incapable of commitment had just implied that he intended to marry her while she was with another man. The rest of the day, she was all about avoiding him while Harvey tried by all means to apologize, and as she approached the elevators and entered them, when the doors were about to close, she saw a hand that she could have recognized among all — the one that had spent hours traveling over her body twelve and a half years ago — sticking in and reopening the doors before seeing Harvey enter the elevator shaft, yet another bouquet of flowers in his hand.
«Hey»
«Harvey, don't»
«Here, it's for you»
«Why? To apologize for making you some kind of shitty marriage proposal when you know I have a boyfriend»
«I'll do better next time»
«Harvey, I'm serious. You have to stop»
«I won't. I told you I'd win you over again, and I won't stop, unless you tell me you want me to stop, then I promise I will do it. So? You want me to stop?»
Faced with Donna's silence, he smiled before approaching and holding out the bouquet again.
«Here. Take it»
«Don't you dare contact me this weekend, I'm spending it with Thomas»
«See you Monday, then»
He came a little closer, placed his lips on her cheek before the doors opened, and Donna stepped out, quickening her pace until she reached the outside, where Thomas was already waiting for her, Harvey still with his idiotic smile in the elevator, going back up to the sixtieth floor.
«Again? Should I be wary of this secret admirer?»
«Oh no, it was from a client for Katrina, but since she's not home this weekend, she didn't want it to rot for nothing, so she gave it to me because she knows I like flowers»
«That's sweet. Anyway, what do you want to do tonight?»
Nothing. She just wanted to go home, get under the covers, and forget about Harvey's behavior these last few days, tired of her heart pumping so fast whenever he was around her. As Thomas slipped his arm around her shoulders, the two of them headed to the redhead's place while chatting about everything and nothing, trying to forget about the lawyer who was making her heart beat crazy. After getting home, they went out to a restaurant where Thomas spent his evening talking about a new project in Oregon while Donna continued to pretend to be interested and ask questions so as not to have to talk about herself and her tumultuous week. That evening, her boyfriend had tried to initiate an intimate moment, and Donna had immediately yawned, making him understand that she was not in the mood, all that so that the next day, she ran away to her pilates class in the morning to meet him a little later for a shopping session. As soon as he pointed out an item to her, she just wanted to answer him with things just as unbelievable as the following: Harvey already bought me, he got this one in camel already, that's something from Harvey, this necklace doesn't go with the diamond bracelet Harvey gave me — or even worse — Harvey won't like it. Whatever the outfit, the lawyer was clouding her thoughts, and she felt like throwing up as she walked hand in hand with her boyfriend. That same evening, when Thomas had just ordered food, the redhead felt her throat tighten when she saw what it was.
«I hope you like it. I saw on your Uber Eats account that you order a lot there, even if I would have never thought that you liked shitty Thai food»chuckled Thomas.
Barely at the table, their dishes almost finished in front of them, Donna dropped her cutlery before speaking in an uncertain voice.
«I have to confess something to you»
«Is everything okay?»
«Do you know who Harvey is?»
«The lawyer who works with Louis?»
«Yeah»
«What about him?»
«Things happened between us like twelve years ago»
«What do you mean things happened?»
«We had sex. It happened once»
«Oh, alright. Well, you just said it was thirteen years ago, so what's the problem?»
«He decided to win me back. The flowers, the new clothes, the jewelry, all that, it's him»
«What? But why?»
«How can I explain this... Harvey and I have known each other since we were kids, and our relationship is so complex. Anyway, he was with a woman not so long ago who asked him to choose between her and me, and he chose me»
«Why did he have to choose?»
«I kissed him»
«What?»
«It was stupid, but I needed to know and —»
«Are you in love with him?»
Facing Thomas' question, if Donna had been rambling until now, she had just fallen silent without knowing what to say, but seeing that Thomas was waiting for an answer, she bit her lip before the architect began to speak with a smile.
«I always knew there was something I wasn't aware of, like I needed to constantly look over my shoulder when it came to you, as you weren't completely mine but I didn't understand why, but now I do. You're in love with him, and he clearly is too, so why are you wasting your time on me?»
«I'm not wasting my time, I really appreciate what we have all the time, and you're absolutely perfect, I want this to work so bad, but urgh, he's always in my head, and I just can't seem to cut him out of me»
«Be with him then»
«It's not that simple»
«Why not? Clearly, he decided to have you»
«Because he's Harvey. He's afraid of commitment, long term, serious things, and all that, and I — I just don't want to be heartbroken»
«So you love him»
Not even realizing what she had just said, she saw Thomas wipe his mouth, then get up to grab his jacket and head for the exit.
«Thomas, I —»
«Look, I don't want to be with you just because you can't be with him. Obviously, he's ready to fight for you, and I don't have the energy to do the same. You're a good person, Donna, and I hope you find your happiness, with or without him»
«I'm sorry, Thomas»
«Not as much as me. Goodbye Donna»
Without even having time to answer, and without knowing what to say to that either, the architect left the apartment, leaving the redhead alone to think about what she was going to do now that she was alone and had just broken her now ex-boyfriend's heart. She was mad at herself for being so weak when it came to the lawyer, and she was mad at Harvey for doing this to her now that she had finally found someone good. While the television didn't seem to distract her, she decided to work and was surprised to see an email from Harvey.
I know you said you didn't want me to contact you on the weekend, but I think about you all the time, and I can't get you out of my head. I can't wait for Monday
Oh my God, she hesitated between kissing him passionately until she could no longer feel her lips or slapping him for acting like such an asshole after fifteen years of waiting for him. Feeling that her mind was already foggy enough, she poured herself a huge glass of wine, took a quick shower before getting into bed, and fell asleep until the next day, where she spent her Sunday hanging out in her pajamas watching stupid reality TV to forget her dilemma: throw herself into Harvey's arms knowing that she would have her heart broken in a few days or win Thomas back where she knew she would have a beautiful life but without the one she really loved. If the night hadn't helped her without her choices, on Monday morning, she sighed as she saw a coffee, a rose, and a note, lying on her desk again before grabbing the drink and running to the roof to get some air. Across the hall, Harvey watched Donna come out of her office, and if he smiled when he saw her with her coffee, he lost it when he saw her walking with a determined step and an annoyed look on her face. Quickly, he started running to catch up with her but narrowly missed the elevator she had just gotten into. Seeing that it was going up, Harvey smiled, there was only one place she could go: the roof. He then took the next elevator before going up and arriving on the roof to see her from behind, drinking the coffee while looking at the New York skyline. As the sound of his footsteps on the gravel was loud enough for Donna to notice his presence, the lawyer saw the redhead turn, rolling her eyes, before looking back at the horizon.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«Are you alright?»
«Thomas broke up with me»
«I'm sorry»
«No, you're not»snorted Donna.
«I admit, I'm not»chuckled Harvey.
Seeing her sigh, he approached before standing in front of her and talking again.
«You're sad about it?»
«Of course I am, the guy was perfect, and for the first time, I could have been happy, in a nice relationship with someone good»
«I can make you happy. I will»
«Harvey»
«You don't trust me?»
«You had thirteen years to do that, and you never wanted to take the risk, so please, understand that I'm having ahard time imagining that things could be different now»
«Let me show you, then»
«Harvey»
«Go on a date with me»
«You believe a date would change anything?»
«Then go on two dates with me? Ten, a hundred, or even a thousand if necessary. I would do anything to show you that we should be together because you belong to me, and I belong to you. Please, give a chance»
«Harv —»
«Please»
For a few seconds, she said nothing until she sighed and whispered.
«Alright»
«Thank you»
He came closer, placed his lips on her cheek, and even if Donna would have thought that he would kiss her passionately now that she was single before leaving the roof, she still felt her heart beating a mile an hour as she felt his lips on her skin as Donna was having slightly trembling legs. About twenty minutes later, the redhead went back down to her office and smiled when she saw yet another package from Tiffany's with a little note.
It will go perfectly with the other one (that's while waiting for the ring). Be ready for six o'clock tonight, I'll pick you up at your place. I can't wait
It was with butterflies in her stomach that she continued to work and thought about leaving early in the afternoon, and while she was concentrating on reading a report, she was interrupted by yet another knock at her door.
«Donna Paulsen?»
«Yeah»
«Delivery for you»
«Thank you»
As she grabbed the black material that probably covered a dress, she hung the hanger on the coat rack before sliding the zipper and seeing the magnificent outfit inside. A magnificent dark green satin dress that goes all the way to the floor, sleeveless, open to the bottom of the back, and with a straight collar. God, this man was crazy, and as she analyzed it from all angles, she saw the little note written by the lawyer.
Wear this dress tonight. I can't wait to see you in it
Alright. Tonight was going to be memorable, and even if she didn't want to give in too quickly, she knew it was going to be complicated. So she continued to work, stealing glances every five minutes at the dress, before quickly going home and starting to get ready. For his part, Harvey had been standing in front of his dressing room for over twenty minutes trying to find the perfect suit for tonight, and after trying on the fifth one, he settled on a classy but simple black Armani. The lawyer above all wanted to be perfect for Donna: clean-shaven, impeccable hair, the redhead's favorite cologne, and her favorite cufflinks before looking at himself in the mirror one last time. He wasn't going to try anything with her tonight, even if he dreamed of spending the night making passionate love to her, but he promised himself to simply show her that she was crazy about her and that he wasn't just interested in sex because she wasn't like everyone else, she was the one. So when it was almost six o'clock, he went to her place before knocking on her door, and, the moment he opened it, he felt his breath catch.
«You are so beautiful»
«You have good taste»
«Wow. I don't even have the words, how is it possible to be so beautiful»
«And how is it possible to know my measurements so well?»smiled Donna.
«Well, the other time really left its mark on me»
«Alright, stop»
«Do you mind if I come in for a second?»
It was a very bad idea, and they both knew it, but each on their own, they had decided not to be tempted, and Donna nodded, letting the lawyer go inside. As she saw him take out from behind his back a large red box that she recognized from Cartier, she felt her breath catch. Tiffany's was something, but Cartier, it was completely insane.
«Harvey, you shouldn't — »
«You had to have jewelry that went with the dress, right?»
As he opened the box, Donna thought she was hallucinating because inside, a set of necklace, bracelet, and gold ring with all the little emeralds the same color as her dress sparkled. Without even waiting for a response from the redhead, he delicately grabbed her wrist to remove the diamond bracelet he had bought her last week, to slip the new one on, then he slid her hair to the side to allow him to put the fine necklace on, Harvey's warm breath against her neck, before turning around to slip the ring on, a moment where both of them felt their hearts beating wildly.
«Should we go?»
Immediately, the two adults left the apartment to go downstairs, and the redhead discovered that his sports car was waiting for them downstairs, and, after opening the door for her and going around to sit next to her, behind the wheel, the lawyer started the car, and the roar of the engine made Donna shiver. Less than twenty minutes later, they arrived in front of the most luxurious French restaurant in town while Harvey gave his keys to the valet, and the redhead went out with the help of her date, who quickly intertwined his fingers with hers to advance to the entrance.
«Good evening, do you have a reservation?»
«A table for two, the Specters»
The fact that he had given his name in the plural, as if she also wore it, had tied up the throat of the redhead, who no longer knew what to think, too overwhelmed by a series of emotions. A few minutes later, they arrived at the table, where Harvey gallantly pulled out her chair before sitting across from her. All evening, they talked about everything and nothing while he looked at her with so much love and tenderness that Donna was sure to blush all evening. Even if the situation was unreal, it seemed so natural and comfortable, both of them greatly enjoying this evening together while flirting with each other, and if until now, they managed to maintain a certain distance, it was at dessert time that it was the most complicated. While Harvey had taken a passionfruit crème brûlée and Donna a chocolate moelleux, when the redhead took a spoon and was about to put it in her mouth, she felt the lawyer's fingers wrap around her wrist as he murmured in a hoarse voice.
«Do you mind?»
Donna nodded then swallowed hard as she turned the spoon towards him before he caught it between his lips and slid the metal down them until there was nothing left on the spoon, only a few traces of dark chocolate on his lips. After sliding his tongue out to lick what was left on it, he reached his hand towards Donna to slide his thumb into the corner of her mouth and then bring his finger back to his mouth to lick it clean, swallowing some of the chocolate moelleux probably mixed with Donna's lipstick as he looked at her with dark eyes. Seeing him, Donna closed her legs, feeling the heat rising inside her and the electrifying atmosphere at the table as Harvey continued to stare at her. Feeling like it was too much, the redhead changed the subject to try to lighten the mood a bit until they were done. Harvey then walked her home, and while she thought he was going to jump on her and make love right there on the floor of the entrance hall, she was surprised when he stopped at the door.
«I have fun tonight»
«Me too»
«I can't wait to do it again. Tomorrow night?»
«Already?»
«What? You got something more exciting planned?»chuckled Harvey.
«Nope»snorted Donna.
For a few seconds, they both laugh until Harvey clears his throat.
«Okay, I'm going to go now»
«Already?»
«Yeah. I admit that standing in front of this door is very complicated, and I think it's better that I go home»
«Oh. Alright»
«Hey, I told you I wanted to do things right. I don't want you to think that this whole date was just a way to sleep with you when, believe me, I'm dying to do it right now and I think a freezing shower will do me good. But for tonight, we're stopping here, and we'll see each other tomorrow?»
Faced with Harvey's words, and knowing that he was going home to take a cold shower because she was making him horny, the redhead blushed again before nodding, approving the lawyer's words as he leaned down, placing his lips tenderly against her cheek, before whispering in her ear.
«Good night, Donna»
With that, he left the hall and went home, where, as planned, he took a cold shower to try to calm his hard-ons while Donna did the same on her side, hoping to reduce the temperature of her burning body after this intense evening. The next day, once again, a rose was waiting for her with her coffee, and as she smiled softly, Harvey entered her office before sitting down across from her.
«You have to stop making me drink this coffee»
«What? You don't like it?»
«I love it. But you're going to make me fat»
«You're perfect, stop»
Seeing her blush, the lawyer whispered.
«Did you sleep well?»
«I did, thanks. What about you, Harvey?»
«I've never slept so well»
«Good»
«By the way, I'll pick you up at seven tonight»
«Really?»
«What, did you think I was lying?»
«No, it's just thought you were saying it like that, what are you planning?»
As she waited for a response from him, he took out two tickets from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed them to her, and as she grabbed them, she opened her mouth without anything coming out before muttering a few seconds later.
«I hope you haven't seen this opera yet»
«Are you crazy? Aida with Angel Blue as soprano and Yannick Nézet-Séguin as musical director? Harvey, this is... Thank you»
«You're welcome. The performance is at eight o'clock, and I reserved two seats in center boxes, I read on the Metropolitan Opera website that this is where to sit to have a good view of the stage and orchestra, if legroom is very important to you, most mostly, if we value intimacy and luxury, and since it's exactly what we value..»
«Do you realize that we have to share our box with at least four other people?Don't get ideas »chuckled Donna.
«Not tonight, I booked the whole box»
«Harvey»
«What?Everything for you »
«And do you realize that Aida is more than three hours of opera?»
«Holy shit. That long? I had no idea»snorted the lawyer.
«Harvey, you don't even like theater and opera»
«But I like you»
Facing Harvey's words, Donna bit her lip as the lawyer looked at her with love and tenderness until Harvey spoke in a soft voice.
«So? Can I pick you up at seven tonight?»
«Of course. But no new dress, alright?»
«Alright. See you, then»
God, it was the longest day of Donna's life, and the redhead couldn't wait for evening. After her day at work, she had rushed home to change and make herself pretty, and as she was getting out of the shower, she received a text from Harvey and felt her heart race.
What color is your dress?
Alright, that was weird.
Black. Why?
After a few seconds, he replied.
For nothing. See you later (I can't wait)
After drying herself, she began to dress in a beautiful black Vera Wang dress and put on her makeup before hearing someone knock on the door. As soon as she opened it, her heart raced when she saw Harvey in a three-piece suit, a huge bouquet of flowers in one hand and a Louboutin bag in the other. As she looked at him with a smirk, he chuckled before speaking.
«What? You said no dress»
«You're unbelievable»
«Come on»
He handed her the bouquet of flowers before crouching down and getting on one knee, opening the shoe box to reveal a magnificent pair of shiny black leather stilettos with their traditional bright red sole. Harvey then slid his hand under the long skirt of her dress to grab her calf delicately, pulling Donna's leg towards him to reveal her foot under the black fabric of her dress before slipping the shoe on, then starting again with the second one while the redhead swallowed hard. Once perched on the four-inch high heels, she was almost Harvey's height, and, as he straightened up, they found themselves face to face, very close, feeling the other's breath on their faces.
«Should we go?»
An hour later, both of them were sitting in the private box, while Donna was focused on the opera, stars in her eyes, and Harvey was focused on the redhead, his heart pounding seeing her so beautiful. The lawyer had not listened to anything at the opera, his attention being elsewhere as he perfectly balanced the art of admiring Donna without jumping on her and making love to her between two seats, right on the floor. At the end of the show, they left the Metropolitan Opera as they unconsciously intertwined their fingers until they reached the redhead's apartment, where, once again, Harvey kissed Donna on the cheek and left her building. The next day, when she arrived in his office, she smiled to see that, next to the rose, instead of her extra caloric coffee, was a tea, a sign that Harvey had remembered that she had told him she would get fat if he kept going. That morning, she did not meet Harvey, and the moment she was in the file room, she heard the lawyer's hoarse voice echo behind her, her body shivering at the sound.
«Hey»
«Hey. I didn't see you this morning»
«I had a meeting. How are you doing?»
«I'm good. What about you?»
«I'm good. Hum, are you interested in going out again tonight?»asked the lawyer.
«Harvey, look, I —»
«Oh, sorry, I thought you would have been— »
«No. I really want to go out with you, for real. But I wanted to do something more casual, I don't know, more normal, because those last few days, between luxury restaurant and opera, it's a lot»
«Oh, right. Yeah, I got it. You know what? I'll be at your place at six. Alright?»
«How should I dress?»asked Donna softly.
«Casualand normal »smiled Harvey.
«Alright. But no dress, no shoes, no flower, nothing»
«Not even jewelry?»
«Nothing»
«Alright»sighed Harvey with a sad smile.
After checking that no one was there, he approached to place a kiss on her cheek, near her lips, before smiling at her and leaving the room. Again, the two colleagues did not cross paths all day until the evening when Harvey knocked on her door. This time, instead of the three-piece suit, he wore dark jeans with a navy blue sweater with a pullover collar, revealing his white t-shirt underneath, and Donna had to admit, that was how she preferred him, as he looked younger and carefree. As soon as she opened the door, she couldn't help but chuckle sofly at the sight of him with a small bouquet in his hand.
«Harvey»
«I know»
«I said no flowers»
«I couldn't help it. You look beautiful, by the way»
Donna was wearing black wide pants with a dark green fluffy sweater close to the body and a pair of small black pumps underneath.
«You're not too bad yourself»
«Thank you. Are you ready to go?»
As he held out his hand to her, she quickly took her bag on one side and intertwined her fingers with his as she left her place, both of them rushing into the street. For a few minutes, they walked until they got down to the subway entrance, and Donna looked at Harvey with incomprehension.
«You? You take the subway?»
« Well, usually no, but you said you wanted to do something normal, and that's normal, right? Plus, it reminds me of the very beginning of the DA's when we were still paying off our college loans and shit so we didn't have money to take the taxi every time »
«Yeah, I remember»chuckled Donna.
Barely on the subway, Donna couldn't help but fall a little more in love with him when she saw Harvey leaning towards her, who was standing, leaning against one of the doors, while the lawyer had raised both his arms to hold on to the bar in the ceiling, talking and laughing with her while he raised his voice to be heard above the noise of the tracks. A few minutes later, they left the underground subway to find themselves on the street when Donna smiled at what she was facing.
«A movie?»
«Yeah»
«It's been so long since I've been»
«I had a good idea then?»
«Great idea»
«Come on, I'll let you choose the movie»
«What a gentleman»
«I know, right»snorted Harvey.
After Donna chose a romantic comedy, the two adults went to get themselves some nachos and drinks before settling into the theater. While the movie had been going for about ten minutes, the redhead felt the lawyer slip his arm around her shoulders, and she couldn't help but rest her head on his shoulder. Often, because of their luxurious and extravagant lifestyle, they tend to forget what it was like to live a simple life, and while they were both dressed simply in the darkness of a movie theater, watching a stupid romantic comedy, the two adults couldn't help but be the happiest people on the planet. Once the movie was over, they both went home, Harvey walked Donna until he kissed her on the cheek and went home too once again until the next morning, where Donna beat Harvey by arriving early, waiting for him with a coffee in her hand. Barely in his office, the lawyer smiled widely upon seeing her.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«Is it for me?»
«Yeah. Black, two sugars, a splash of vanilla»
«Thank you»
«Hum— »
«Yeah? You want to ask me something maybe?»smirked Harvey.
«If you have nothing to do tonight, you could come eat something at my place»
«Are you cooking?»
«Yeah»
«Then I'm coming»
«Alright. Eight o'clock at my place?»
«I'll be there»
That same evening, Donna ran home, put on makeup, dressed casually but a bit sexy, and put on perfume before waiting patiently for Harvey to arrive, and the moment she heard a knock at the door, she felt her heart racing. As she opened her door, Harvey was leaning against the frame, yet another bouquet of flowers in hand, and his cocky smile as she couldn't help but laugh.
«You really need to stop with the flowers, soon my apartment is going to look like a greenhouse»
«We'll see»
As soon as they got inside, the two chatted and laughed while enjoying Donna's meal, only to end up sitting on the couch, both with a glass of wine in hand, while Harvey looked at Donna with loving eyes. As the redhead finished telling an anecdote, Harvey grabbed her hand to intertwine their fingers together and whisper softly.
«Do you believe me now?»
«About what?»
«About the fact that I want everything with you»
«I don't know, I —»
«I'm in love with you, Donna»
«Harvey»
«I'm serious. I'm in love with you, and I can't get you out of my mind. I think about you day and night, I know you're the one I want to be with, and I'm sure that's the case for you too. So why are we fooling ourselves and continuing to pretend that we can't be together while that's all we have been waiting for. I want you, and I want you forever, so please, give us a chance»
«Harvey.. I've been waiting for thirteen years»
«I know, and I want to punch myself for being such an idiot these past few years, but I love you, and I don't want to wait anymore. I hope I didn't wait too long because knowing that I lost you forever would kill me, but admit that these last few days together were perfect? I promise you that if you finally agree to be with me, well, first, you will make me the happiest man on the planet, and second, I will do everything to make your life a fairy tale: I will buy you everything you want, I will take you to any country in the world, I will take you to see any opera across the globe, I will do anything for you because all I care about is that you are happy, and even better, happy with me»
«Harvey, what's going to happen in a month, or a year, when you'll realize that you don't want this life?»
«What I want is you, and that's it»
«Harvey»
«I'm in love with you, Donna. Please, look me in the eyes and tell me you don't. If that's the case, I promise I'll leave you alone, but I need you to tell me»
As he gently grabbed her face between his fingers, forcing her to look at him, she melted in front of the softness of his gaze.
«Harvey»
«Tell me you don't love me»
«You know very well that I can't say it»
«So give me a chance»
Seeing that Donna was looking at him a little lost, he brought his face closer to hers until he was a few inches away and murmured against her lips softly.
«Please»
«Alright»
Without waiting, he captured her lips between his and kissed her passionately for a long time before he moved so that Donna could find herself straddling him. Quickly, things evolved, and Harvey removed the redhead's top to slide the tips of his fingers on her soft skin, savoring the moment and the fact that she was in his arms again. Then, it was with butterflies in their stomachs and their hearts beating wildly that the new couple found themselves under Donna's sheets to relive the same night of passion as thirteen years ago. Hours later, once they were out of breath, Donna on her stomach, hugging her pillow, and Harvey on his side, sliding his fingers on her naked back, the lawyer couldn't help but place his little kisses on her shoulder blade, her spine, and her shoulder, all the while murmuring against her skin.
«I love you so much, Donna»
«I love you too, Harvey»
After that night, Harvey kept his promise and made the redhead's life a fairy tale, dedicating every second of his time to his girlfriend's happiness. At first, despite all of Harvey's efforts, Donna couldn't help but panic, thinking that, one day, he would realize his stupidity and leave. But her doubts were short-lived when one evening, while sharing a romantic dinner to celebrate their three months together in the redhead's apartment, he got down on one knee to open the box containing an engagement ring with a huge diamond and asked the question she had dreamed of hearing for so long.
«Yes»
«Yes?»muttered Harvey.
«Yes»
While he was still on his knees, Donna had jumped on him, knocking the lawyer over as the two of them found themselves on the ground, kissing passionately for hours. While the firm was unsure about the COO and the lawyer's romance, when the two of them showed up several weeks later with matching rings, exposing their secret to the world, everyone knew that, after years of being secretly in love with each other, they were finally together and seemed really happy. One evening, a few months after their wedding, as Donna had already gone home to the large duplex they had bought together, the lawyer was closing some files and was getting ready to go home, but as he was walking down the hall, he heard Louis calling him from his office.
«Harvey»
«Hey?»
The lawyer entered his friend's office before greeting the seated man, who seemed to be looking at him with a mixed look, staring at his hand and wedding ring.
«Did you have time to look at the Alberti case?»
«Yeah, I'm done with it, but I'll give you a debrief tomorrow because I have to go home. Donna is waiting for me because, apparently, my daughter is restless and having fun doing karate in her belly»chuckled the lawyer.
Seeing Louis quickly glance between the lawyer and his client, Harvey could sense some tension in the room and hurried to continue the conversation.
«Anyway, see you tomorrow, Louis»
«Yeah, see you, Harvey»
«Sir»nodded Harvey, looking at the brown-haired man with light eyes who seemed shocked to see him despite not knowing each other.
After hearing Louis mutter a low «I'm sorry Mr. Kessler» to his client, Harvey gathered up all his things and left the firm. About twenty minutes later, Harvey entered their apartment and couldn't help but feel his heart racing as he observed the scene before him: Donna in front of the stove in his boxers and a white top, slightly hiked up, revealing her little swollen belly. Their lives had changed enormously in the last year, but as he watched his wife, carrying the love of their life safely inside her with grace, he couldn't help but feel his heart racing. He would never thank his brother enough for pushing him to fight for her, because if the lawyer had never thought of courting a woman before, with Donna, he could spend his life doing everything to make her feel like the most important woman in the world, because to him, she was everything.