take me to the Plaza Hotel, please.”
“Of course, Addison.”
“You don’t want to stay with me tonight at the penthouse?”
“Nah, I have that amazing suite Mom already paid for. I’m going to order a ton of room service and purchase every spa service available.” She smirked. “Can I have the day off tomorrow?”
“Yes. You have earned a day off, little sister.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m not too sure what my future holds at Walker Capital in light of all of this, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter 25
One Week Later
Ellie
I was so heartbroken I could barely breath. Each day I woke up was a struggle. But I had no choice because there was work to be done. I had five new clients contact me for website designs that I needed to work on, and I had a painting to finish. I’d spent most of my days locked up in my apartment because I didn’t feel like going out and dealing with the real world. After I reluctantly told Joni what happened, she lectured me like I knew she would. But then she showed up at my door with my favorite pizza, a large bag of my favorite chips and a gallon of my favorite ice cream. Then she spent the night and sat up with me while I cried on her shoulder. I’d been through heartbreak before, but nothing like this. I’d never felt so empty inside, and I hated him for doing this to me.
I had been working on a website design all day and I was hungry, so I got up and went over to the refrigerator to grab something. When I opened the door, I stared inside the empty refrigerator. Grabbing my phone, I thought about placing an order for take-out. But I’d eventually have to go food shopping at some point. After slipping on my shoes, I grabbed my purse and headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things. As I was picking out some apples and placing them in a bag, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning around, I froze when I saw Henry standing there.
“Hi,” he signed. “Can we talk?”
“Are you following me?” I signed without speaking for I didn’t want to cause a scene in the produce section.
“No. I just stopped to get a couple bags of spinach, and I saw you standing over here.”
“Leave me alone,” I signed and threw my bag of apples in the cart.
Suddenly, I felt his hand lightly grab my arm.
“Ellie, Kirsten’s baby isn’t mine,” he signed. “She slept with someone in Chicago when she was on a business trip.”
“Then the two of you are made for each other,” I signed.
“Ellie, please.”
“NO! I thought you were different from every other guy out there! I gave you my heart and you took it and smashed it into a tiny million pieces,” I signed, and people stared at us as they walked by.
“The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. I would do anything for you, Ellie. Anything.”
“Then you should have told me about her, so I didn’t have to hear it from your mother. Just leave me alone, Henry. Please.” I took my cart and walked away before he saw the tears in my eyes.
After I paid for my groceries, I stepped outside and saw Christian standing there.
“Hi,” he signed with a smile. “I’ve been instructed to take you home.”
“Thanks, Christian, but I’m fine. I can get home myself.”
“Henry’s not in there. He took a cab back to the office.” I read his lips as he took my bags from me.
Rolling my eyes, I slid into the back where Henry’s scent filled the space. The same scent that lingered on my sheets even after I’d washed them. Tears stung my eyes like they did every day since we'd broken up. Christian pulled up to the building, climbed out of the vehicle and grabbed my bags from the trunk. He walked me into the building and after pushing the button to the elevator, he handed me my bags.
“Thank you,” I spoke.
“You’re welcome,” he signed.
“You’re getting pretty good at that.” I managed a smile.
“Henry’s been teaching me a few of the basics.”
I gave him a light kiss on the cheek and stepped into the elevator.
“I’ll see you around, Christian.”
Henry
When I got back to the office, June alerted me that my father was inside waiting for me.
“Shit.” I handed her the bag with my spinach in it. “Can you put this in