The Publicist's Plight (Book I in The Harrison Inc. Series) | ✓

Chapter Sixty Five: Forgive Me for My Transgressions

Not to mention the amazing dinner we had before then, of course.

So it's safe to say that I'm feeling pretty damn amazing driving down the streets of Beverly Hills in my BMW while being serenaded by Chaka Khan. My current dance moves are horrible, and I'm doing Chaka absolutely no justice by singing along, but at this point, I don't mind—I put on my sunglasses and continue to cruise, carefree.

Until I make it to a stoplight.

I turn on my phone while waiting for the light to turn green, and the text I see while waiting makes my heart stop:

"Hello, Leslie. It's Ingrid. I'm at the coffee shop, at a table near the back counter. Text me when you arrive."

"Shit!" I shout, and having no regard for a ticket or anyone's basic safety, I bust a U-turn and head straight for the coffee shop. It irritates me that I won't be able to head home and change, but I suppose that's my fault for putting dick over other priorities.

Hopefully that doesn't become a routine motto.

**

"I'm so sorry I'm late!"

I set my purse down next to the empty chair at the table Ingrid sits at. The coffee shop is empty and reclusive; I wonder if she picked this one on purpose.

She smiles up at me, her posture still the same as when I first met her—slouched over, unconfident, timid. Ingrid still looks tired, too, but more anxious than before. I have my guard up even though this is supposed to be rather innocent.

"Don't worry about it." Her eyes scan over my clothing, my hair and my makeup. "Would you like anything? It's on me."

"Um coffee—black, two sugars. And a slice of banana bread."

Even though I already had coffee at Sebastian's house, I don't want to be rude by turning down her gesture. Ingrid nods at my request before getting up and ordering at the counter. After a few minutes, I receive a text from Sebastian. It reads:

"By the way, thanks for breakfast this morning."

It takes me a moment to realize that we didn't have any breakfast this morning. I lock my phone and use all of my will power to hide the smile fighting to break through. Cheeky bastard; he enjoys tormenting me with word play.

Ingrid comes back with two coffees and a slice of banana bread on a small plate. When she sets everything down, I thank her genuinely.

She sits down in her seat. We both sip our coffee quietly, and it reminds me of how our first encounter was like.

"I hate to be so blunt, but I'm quite curious as to why you called for a coffee date so suddenly?"

Her eyes can't even keep contact with mine; it's like she's scared of something.

"Right. Well it's about the journal."

I freeze mid-sip.

I should have known that taking the journal from Ingrid would come bite me in the ass. In truth, I've thought about burning it for Sebastian's sake, but frankly I haven't finished reading the rest of it. There really isn't much of a reason for me to read it now; I already know so much.

"Sebastian's journal? What about it?"

At this point, I tell myself that I will stay up to three warning signs. After the third warning sign, I'll leave.

Ingrid sets her coffee down and finally looks at me. "I think it's best if...if I take it back."

Strike one.