Chapter 9
Harrison
“Hey, boss,” Gus greets as I walk into the makeshift office we’ve constructed under this pop up nylon canopy.
“Hey,” I grumble as I sit in my fold up chair perusing a letter I’ve received from the prestigious Outer Banks Seafood Restaurant Group.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. As good as I can be when I need to be up there with you guys, but…” I lift my cast and roll my eyes.
“You’re up there in spirit.” Gus smiles. “Ah, don’t beat yourself up too much. It’s only a few more weeks, and you’ll get that thing off and be back up there getting in our way.” He snickers. “What’s that?” His chin tilts toward the letter in my hand.
“It’s, nothing.” I hastily fold up the paper and tuck it back into the envelope.
“From the expression on your face, it didn’t look like nothing.”
I reach back with my good arm to rub the tense muscles behind my neck. This damn sling gets on my nerves. But the cast is heavy, and I tend to position my arm at an awkward angle by my side if I’m not using it. Then I hurt in muscles I haven’t stretched since… well, since I fell off of that damn platform like an idiot. “Keep it between us, okay?”
Gus peers back at me, his expression clearly concerned.
“Nah, nah. Nothing bad. Someone reached out from a pretty high-profile restaurant chain about working with them on an off-shoot of their family friendly seafood diners. They’re looking to branch into more upscale, high-end bistros in popular tourist destinations.”
“Man, Harry. That’s incredible. You’ve hit the big time.” Gus beams with pride. “Who knew Candy Cane Key was considered a popular tourist destination?” He chuckles.
“It’s not.”
His smile swiftly falls at my response.
“Miami, Naples, Boca Raton. Nowhere near here.”
“C’mon, Harrison. You can’t shake this off.”
I drag my free hand through my hair, frustration overload. “I know, but I can’t do it. Things are complicated enough with Mom. Moving her all over Florida would make her even more agitated.”
“You can’t know that for sure. So long as her nurse is there, it could work.”
“Gus, I couldn’t ask Joyce to do that.”
“Why not? And if she says no, there are plenty of other nurses out there.”
I huff, slinking back in my seat. Not like her.
“Hell, there’s a ton in there that’d probably drop everything to come with you.” He snorts, pointing his thumb over his shoulder toward the hospital.
“Fuck!” I yell as something dark and hairy lands on my lap. The commotion nearly has both of us toppling out of the folding chair onto the ground.
Gus breaks into a fit of laughter. “Look at that. You look like an ad for a personal injury lawyer, but the pussy in your lap doesn’t have a hair out of place.”
Agitatedly, I place my good hand on the cat’s back to fling it off of me, stopping short when I hear cooing behind me.
“Awww… look,” a nurse I vaguely recognize squeals from the shuttle stop. I think I recall seeing her with—
As if she’s read my mind, the nurse from all of my fantasies comes into view, along with another woman about her age, dressed in scrubs. “It’s the cat,” the smaller one exclaims with her hands pressed to her chest. “Look, he’s holding him.” She beams at me.
I barely have time to wrap my head around what’s going on before the shuttle bus drives up, blocking any further view of the three of them. Turning to Gus, I give him a dumbfounded look.
“I may or may not have told them you fell trying to save the pussy.”
My eyes fly wide.
“You’re welcome.”
Glancing back down, I watch as the stray curls into a ball, making himself comfortable. Might as well face it. This is the only pussy I’m going to have in my lap for a while.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
“Hello?”
“Hey, big bro. I’ve got a few days off and thought I’d come hang with you and Mom for the weekend.”
I can’t fight the huge, toothy grin. “Shit, Matt, really? That’s the best news ever.”
“Well, stock the fridge. We’ll grill some steaks by the pool and go grab a beer at The Shrimp after.”
“You’re on!”
Harlow
“8:00, bitches. Not a minute later!” Shay shouts from where she’s parked.
“All right, all right. It’s not like it’s your birthday or anything. Tomorrow night at 8:00,” I confirm.
Shay closes the door and starts her vehicle as Sadie makes her way to her Jeep Cherokee. “Hey, do you want me to come pick you up tomorrow?”
“You don’t mind driving?”
“Nah, I have a stretch off after my shift ends. You’re headed to boot camp,” she says.
I laugh. “It’s not boot camp, you goof.” My monthly drill weekends are pretty easy. Boot camp, not so much. The worst part about my National Guard weekends is honestly being away from the boys. “I’ll drop the boys off at my mom’s place before dinner and come back to the house to get ready. You want to change at my place after work?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
“Holy shit, Har. You look smokin’ hot.” Sadie places the tip of her index finger on my backside and makes a sizzling sound.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I wish I had your curves,” she groans. “I look like a twelve-year-old boy.”
“You do not!” I bark. Sadie reminds me of Emma Watson. The Perks of Being a Wallflower version of Emma Watson. There’s a captivating beauty about my sweet and sassy friend that’s much larger than her five-foot-one frame can contain. I’m easily seven inches taller with fuller hips and cleavage, but I often forget about the stark contrast in our physical appearance when we’re together since our personalities are so similar.
Sadie hasn’t had an easy time with relationships either, but at least she’s guarded her heart more than I have in the past. She’s focused on creating a life for herself she can be proud of and won’t settle for a man that doesn’t respect her. She’s a few years younger than I am, so in no hurry to settle down. From what I’ve seen of Aaron, I think they’re a good match. He’s equally career driven. I think they’ll work all of this out. At least I hope so.
I watch as she slides four-inch heels onto her slim feet, which temporarily wedges the gap between us until I dangle the strappy numbers in front of her I plan to wear.
“Ah, man. I was almost there.” She laughs.
I bring my thumb and forefinger together, indicating her height was a little closer to mine for a few minutes.
“What did you get Shay for her birthday?” Sadie asks as she slides a dangly silver earring into her left lobe.
I giggle and walk over to my dressing table. “I couldn’t resist.” I pull the Funko Pop Yourself figurine I had designed on-line for her. It is Shay’s likeness in a nurse’s white dress uniform and matching hat with a bright red cape one would see a superhero wear.
“Oh, Harlow. It’s the cutest thing ever.”
I beam. I love how it turned out. I respect Shay so much. She’s the sharpest nurse I know. Sadie is great too, but we’d both admit we can’t roll with the punches like Shay can.
“What about you?”
“Ha, I got her practical gifts.”
My brows raise. That’s not like her at all.
She turns to grab the gift bag and retrieves a purple vibrator, a bottle of lube, and a T-shirt that says: Fun Fact, I Don’t Care.
I bust out laughing. “Nailed it.”
An hour later, we walk into The Wild Shrimp to find Shay flirting it up with Big Ron at the bar. He’s one of several long-time bartenders here. I secretly think he’s always had a thing for Shay.
“You made it,” she squeals, quickly looking down at her phone.
“7:58,” Sadie confirms.
“Do you want to move to the booth?” Big Ron asks, pointing his chin in the direction of a prime spot next to the makeshift dance floor with a reserved sign sitting atop it.
“Oh, that’s perfect, Ronnie.” Shay takes his arm, her I’m the Birthday girl sash sliding off of her shoulder as he escorts her to the space he’s apparently saved for her.
Ron deposits her and extends an arm for us to slide in as well. “First drinks are on me. What’re you girls having?”
“Oh, surprise me.” Shay claps.
“I’ll have a margarita,” I add.
“I’m the DD. Just bring me a diet soda, please.”
“You got it.” Big Ron gives Shay a seductive wink before heading to the bar.
Fanning myself with the bar menu, I give Shay’s arm a playful nudge. “When are you going to just give him a night he’ll never forget already?”
“Who’s to say I haven’t?”
Sadie and I gasp.
“No. I’m just kidding. I couldn’t do that with Big Ron unless I was moving.”
“Huh?” Sadie asks.
“I love this place. If the sex is bad or it doesn’t go anywhere, it would ruin coming back here for me. Candy Cane Key doesn’t have a lot of options.”
She’s right.
“Okay, here you go.” Big Ron slides the margarita and diet cola to one side of the table before depositing Shay’s drink in front of her. It’s served in a martini glass with chocolate drizzle decorated about the rim and the glass itself. A bright red cherry is visible at the bottom of the drink, just above the stem.
“Oh, what’s that?” Shay is practically drooling.
“It’s a Chocolate Cake Martini.”
“How did I not know such a thing existed?” Her eyes are bright and her sweet face delightfully animated.
“Stick with me, doll. I’ll show you all the good stuff.” He waggles his brows before kissing the back of her hand and returning to man the bar.
“Girl, you might need to pack your bags.” Sadie giggles.
Big Ron is handsome and of average height and weight. His nickname is related to his son, little Ronnie, not his size. It’s clear Ron works out, but he’s not overly muscular. He’s got glorious deep blue eyes that rival the ocean and almost jet-black hair. He’s been divorced for years, but everyone in town knows he’s better for it. His ex made moves on every guy that strolled into Candy Cane Key. The twatwaffle. He deserves better.
The night flies by quickly as we sip our drinks between the constant laughter. Ron manages to get Shay out on the dance floor, and Sadie and I join them when Dr. Dre starts to sing about the next episode.
“You ready for another round?”
“Oh, Ronnie. I can’t. I have to be up at the crack of dawn for drill in the morning. I’ve already stayed longer than I should have.”
“How ’bout you, pretty lady?” he asks Shay. Sadie switched to water an hour ago.
“No, I’ve had enough for one night.” She blinks coyly at him, and I can’t help but blush. These two are so fun to watch. I hope I’m here when one of them finally snaps and tackles the other.
My gaze follows Ronnie to the bar, where he goes to settle our tab for the night, when I notice Harrison sitting at the bar with an incredibly attractive man. He has his back to us, his face in profile, while his companion is facing our direction. Unlike Harrison, whose rippled chest I’ve seen on display at work, his companion’s clearly got a penchant for ink, as his tattoos visibly cover both arms. And there are more sneaking out the collar of his shirt.
“Who’s that?” Sadie asks.
“I don’t know. But I think he’s sitting with Harry, my hard hat hottie.” I laugh.
“No way,” Sadie and Shay blurt in stereo, both leaning out of the booth in order to get a better look.
Harrison’s friend must catch the commotion and brings our not so sly antics to light. I watch as Harrison rotates in our direction, almost in slow motion, a questioning expression immediately replaced by the sexy smile I know all too well.
My heart begins to hammer in my chest as he doesn’t hesitate for a second, standing from his barstool and heading toward our table.
“Holy shit. Holy shit,” Shay says on repeat.
I try to swallow down the lump in my throat as he moves closer. He’s wearing dark jeans, and a short-sleeved dark green polo that hugs his pecs deliciously. The shirt magnifies the color of his beautiful eyes.
“Hi.” He grins as he stands beside our table. But his eyes are trained solely on me.
“Hi.” It’s like déjà vu.
Our meet cute.
Sadie and Shay are seated closest to him, both resting their chins in their hands, mouths ajar.
“Here you go, ladies,” Ron says as he slides our tab over to me.
“Thanks, Big Ron,” I say.
“Oh, you’re heading out?” Harrison’s face falls, the expression doing strange things to my insides.
“Yeah. We’ve been here awhile, and I have a big day tomorrow.” I pull out my credit card and place it in the leather holder before returning it to Ron.
Shay and Sadie slide out of the booth, Sadie chasing after Ron with cash for a tip.
Standing beside Harrison, I realize he’s even taller than I thought. With these heels, I’m likely five nine or ten. He’s got to be six foot two, at least.
He clears his throat, almost nervously. “This is going to sound dumb. But I feel like I know you.”
I nod. “Yes.” I laugh. “Well, not the dumb part.”
“But how could I? From up there?” His eyes are simply dreamy. It’s taking all my energy to restrain myself. I just want to reach up and stroke the stubble along his face.
All of a sudden, it dawns on me that he probably doesn’t remember anything from that morning in the ER. Versed is a perfect medication for procedural sedation. It induces sleepiness, decreases anxiety, and causes anterograde amnesia, which allows painful procedures to be tolerated without the need for general anesthesia.
“Have we met?”
I can’t help but giggle as the memory of our Meet Cute comes to the forefront of my mind. I’d never lie to this man.
“Yes. Spectacularly.”