Chapter 32
HARRISON
“Hi, Big Ron. I’m supposed to be meeting Charlene here. Have you seen her?” My eyes scan The Wild Shrimp, coming up short.
“I’m pretty sure I—Oh, there she is.”
I follow Ron’s arm in the direction of the ladies’ room to see Charlene headed in my direction. This is the first time I’ve been out socializing since Mom passed. I wanted to call her about a hundred times and cancel. It still feels too raw. The idea of going out to have fun, makes me feel like I’m betraying my mother in some way.
“Hey. I’ve missed you,” she says as she pulls me in for a hug. “I know you probably tried to call and cancel. Hence why I turned my phone off.” She sticks her tongue out, and I chuckle. This girl.
“Come sit.” Reaching for my palm, she pulls me into a booth. “It’s nice to hold your right hand again.”
“Yeah, it feels so light now.”
“I bet.”
“What’re you two having?” Big Ron asks.
“I’ll have a glass of champagne.”
My brows shoot up to my hairline, wondering if she’s celebrating something. She never orders champagne.
“And he’ll take a scotch. Give him two fingers, Big Ron.”
“Is there a reason you’re celebrating and trying to get me liquored up?” I chuckle.
“Yes. I got a new job, and I’m having a toast in my honor.”
“Don’t you already own a salon? How many jobs do you need?”
“Says he who works too hard.”
She’s got a point.
One of the servers arrives with our drinks, and we say a quick “cheers” to each other before taking our first sip. The atmosphere is alive with happy patrons looking to get their party on. The mood still a little abrasive, given the downtrodden mood that continues to cling to me.
“Harry.”
“Yes?”
“I need you to move on.”
“What?” I place my hand over my heart. “You’re breaking up with me, Char?”
“Yes.”
Okay, is she serious? I can’t hide my frown.
“I need you to get back in the saddle. Stop hiding away in your big fancy house.”
I shake my head. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“You were just scared I’d come to your place and drag you out if you stood me up.”
She’s not wrong.
“What’s it gonna take for you to ask Harlow out again?”
Amber liquid nearly shoots out my nostrils, causing my sinuses to burn. “Where did that come from?”
“I’m putting myself out there. So, it stands to reason, you should too. Or you’re going to be lonely when I find Mr. Right.” She takes a sip of her champagne. “I’ve got an axe.”
My eyes spring wide. How long has she been here? “Did you start drinking without me?”
“No.”
“Then why are you threatening me with an axe?”
She leans in and stares, until I do the same. “Someone has to knock that chip off of your shoulder.”
My lips narrow into a thin line. “I don’t have a fucking chip on my shoulder.”
“Yes, you do. You’ve been hurt. Everyone you cared about left except your mother. Now she’s gone.”
Her delivery is flat, unapologetic. And it’s making me angry.
“Grief is a funny thing. I get it. We’ve been hurt enough. But eventually, you need to take control of your situation and decide how bad you want your happily ever after.”
I look away. Even if she’s right, I’m not sure I’m ready for this conversation.
“You’re the only one standing in your way, Harry. You’re out of excuses. Stop being afraid and realize how lucky you are.”
My head pops up. Lucky?
She reaches into her purse and pulls out a black sharpie. What the heck is she up to now? Scribbling something onto her cocktail napkin, she looks at me in a way I’ve not seen before. There are tears in her eyes as she slides it across the table to me.
“Your life is what you make it, Harrison Hightower. Your mother devoted her life to giving you a promising future.” She stands and confusion sets in. “Don’t waste it.”
She walks off before I can ask where she’s going.
Opening the napkin, I read,
I choose you.
Suddenly, the words Joyce said to Matthew and me ring in my ears. “She chose you.” Dropping my face into my hands, I realize Charlene’s right. I do have a big ass chip on my shoulder. And it’s been there for years.
Sitting back in my chair, I drag my hands down my face and reach for my scotch when I find someone beside me and jump. An expletive almost flies from my mouth, but I’m able to tamp it down with my teeth once I see who’s here.
“Justin. Alec. What are you doing here?”
“We miss you.” My heart clenches at their statement. They have no idea how much I miss them.
Rotating in my seat to face them, I reply, “I miss you too.”
Alec steps forward, looking terrified. What on earth?
“I did something bad.” His little body is shaking. Pulling him into the booth with me, I wrap an arm around him as he lifts my Magic 8 ball up and places it on the table.
“Oh. You have it.” I’m startled but try to hold back and let him explain.
“Yes.”
I did something bad. It’s clear he must’ve taken it home after the weekend they stayed at my house. Hell, it’s fun to ask it questions, shake it up, and see what happens. That temptation would be too much for many a young boy. I’m certain Harlow has already addressed how he came to have it in his possession. I don’t need to make him feel worse.
“I’m glad you were keeping it safe for me.”
His head spins, his bewildered eyes holding mine. “You’re not mad?”
“At you? No. I’m glad you told me where it was.” I squeeze him a little tighter. “And if it was going to be anywhere besides my house, I’d want you and Justin to have it.”
Alec wraps his little arms around me, squeezing me tighter than seemed possible for their size. “Thank you.”
Justin taps him on the shoulder, tilting his head as if they’re in on a secret. I watch captivated as Alec stands, and they both hand me a folded napkin.
My heart is in my throat as I open each one.
I choose you. I choose you.
But before I can acknowledge what they’ve done, they scurry off. And their beautiful mother is standing in their place. “Harlow.” I breathe. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Her voice seems to quaver. But why? Is she nervous?
I have to push down my emotions before they bubble to the surface, and I start bawling like a baby. I can’t believe Charlene has set this in motion. But I won’t let her down.
Reaching for Harlow, I pull her down beside me. “Are you real?”
She laughs timidly. My bold, beautiful mermaid is anything but timid. “Yes.”
“I’m so?—”
She places her soft hand over my mouth. “I only want to move forward, not back, Harrison.”
Cupping her face with my hand, I could drown in her big blue green eyes. But as thrilled as I am to see her, there’s a sadness in their depths. Have I hurt her so badly we’ll never get through this?
“I’m so, so sorry about your mother, Harrison. If I’d known, I would’ve come to you. Regardless of how uneasy things had become between us.” She casts her eyes down momentarily. “I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet her. Even if it was only for a little while.”
The recollection of my mother lighting up when Harlow and her sons came to the house brings a melancholy smile to my face. “You and the boys brought out the best in her.”
Scooting closer to me, she places her soft cheek next to mine. Her hair enveloping me in the fresh scent of the ocean. “This isn’t going to be easy,” she whispers before pulling back to look into my eyes. Harlow stiffens, a tinge of anguish marring her stunning face. “I dive into relationships too fast. And you can’t run away fast enough. So, if there’s a chance of making this work, we need to figure a way to meet in the middle.”
“Yes. Yes.” I acknowledge I sound like a moron at the moment, but I’m so caught up in this incredible woman, I’ve lost my ability to speak.
“We need to take this slow. The opposite of how we started.”
“You’re right.” I pull her slender hand up to my mouth, placing kisses on her knuckles. “But I wouldn’t trade the way it started, baby.” Kiss. “It’s just that middle part that sucked.”
Harlow tosses her head back and snorts. “I guess you’re right.”
“Let’s make the end as perfect as the beginning.” I grip her hand tightly, hoping she’ll never let go.
Harlow raises her free hand to stroke my scruff, placing a chaste kiss to my lips. And for the first time in my life, I’m engulfed by the calming sense I could have it all. The people I love aren’t running for the door, they’re claiming me. She scoots to the edge of the booth and stands.
“Don’t go,” I beg.
Bending down, she kisses the shell of my ear before she speaks. “I need to get my boys to bed. But I have it on good authority that my schedule is free this weekend.” Standing to her full height, a saucy smirk on her face, I beam up at her, not wanting to let her go.
As she walks away, I notice another napkin on the table in front of me. Flipping it over, it reads,
Harrison,
I choose you!
Harlow
My heart is so full. I can’t believe I’m getting another chance to get this right. I’m not screwing this up. We can take it slow, fast, whatever she wants. So long as I can prove to each of them how important they are to me.
I relax into my seat, wondering if Charlene is still here when I again catch sight of someone in my periphery and jolt. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.” I’m going to have a stroke by the end of this night.
“Nope, just Jimmy and Rob.” Rob chuckles. I see them holding napkins in their hands and break out into a fit of laughter.