Chapter 20
Harlow
9:58 p.m.
Harrison
Okay, there’s something wrong with me.
10:01 p.m.
Harlow
Oh no. Are you sick? Maybe the steak was too rare. (worried emoji)
10:05 p.m.
Harrison
No.
10:06 p.m.
Harrison
The house is too quiet now.
Gah. This man.
10:11 p.m.
Harrison
I know we need to slow this train down before it comes off the tracks. This weekend was a lot.
He’s right. But knowing I literally dumped all of my baggage in his lap, and he didn’t pretend to have a mysterious illness and send us all packing, gave me such hope. After the shit with Stewart, I just needed to pull the Band-Aid off and make sure Harrison knew exactly what he was getting into.
10:14 p.m.
Harlow
You’re right. I’m sorry I piled it on. But you made me happier than a clam at high tide. (laughing emoji) All of us.
10:16 p.m.
Harrison
I’m happy too. But relationships are hard enough. Even though everything went well, we can’t pretend this will be easy.
Jeez. Now that we’re gone, and the enormity of everything is coming clearer, he’s probably weirded out. Do I blame him?
10:21 p.m.
Harrison
I need to hit the hay. Morning is getting here way too quick.
10:23 p.m.
Harlow
Okay.
Man. Why do I feel sad all of a sudden?
10:25 p.m.
Harrison
I guess we need to have a real date soon so we can talk more.
10:28 p.m.
Harlow
I thought that was what non-dates were for?
10:31 p.m.
Harrison
Well, I’m not going to be able to have another date with you without wanting to play naked Twister. (fire emoji, eggplant emoji)
Oh my god. Yes, please.
10:34 p.m.
Harrison
I’ve got some things with work that might be making life even more complicated. But I want to make time for us. And the boys. Catch their baseball games and have them back over.
10:35 p.m.
Harlow
Oh, they’d love that!
10:39 p.m.
Harrison
Sweet dreams, Harlow. I miss you. See you in the morning.
10:41 p.m.
Harlow
Goodnight.
Putting my phone down on the nightstand, I stare up at the ceiling as snapshots of the weekend replay in my mind. Please don’t let this guy be too good to be true.
Harrison
“Morning, boss. You feelin’ all right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Cause you’re early. You beat me here.” He chuckles. “And you’re not perched up on the ledge waiting on your girl.”
Oh, I’m waiting on my girl, all right. He just doesn’t need one more thing to rib me about. I shake my head. It’s painful how true the whole situation is. I’m whipped. Completely addicted to a mermaid named Harlow. And her little guppies.
“You look good, man. Whatever it is, it suits you.”
I grin, sitting taller in my seat. “I think it was the pep talk you gave me a few weeks back.”
“Oh, yeah? It was me that has you lookin’ all large and in charge?”
I snort. “Okay, maybe you were part of it. I met with the guy from Outer Banks. Everything about their plans is good, Gus. Really good. I want in on it.”
“Yes!”
“I need us to sit down and come up with a plan. Like you said. Not just a business plan, but one that includes my mother. I’m going to talk to Joyce and see if she thinks I can manage being away three nights a week. I’ll come back each Wednesday for the night and return Friday night through the weekend.”
“I think that’s a great plan. You need to do this, Harry. You’ll always regret it if you don’t.”
The devil on my shoulder is still trying to plant seeds of doubt. It’s risky. But Gus is right. I need to do this.
The little white shuttle bus pulls up, and I stand as Harlow comes into view.
“Ha, now you need to go after her, and you’re all set.” Gus chuckles.
Little does he know…
With a huge grin on my face that might blind everyone walking in my direction, I make my way toward her. She stops dead in her tracks, her nurse friends continuing toward the ER with shocked expressions on their faces.
“Hi,” I greet.
“Hi.” She giggles.
Pulling her into me with my free arm, I plant a huge kiss on her lips. There are hoots and howls not only from the guys behind me, but also from a few of the nurses who stand and gawk at us before venturing inside.
“Have a good day.”
She beams, a beautiful blush staining her cheeks that matches her now swollen lips. “Oh, it already is.”