Chapter 26 Harlan #2
My dad badgered me relentlessly about what went wrong with Darío.
He couldn’t understand why I wasn’t willing to make it work.
I obviously didn’t tell him that I cheated, because that would have been a bigger crime than wearing lingerie.
I left it at the distance, and how difficult it would have been with our jobs.
Mum was more understanding and hugged me while I cried through most of Christmas Eve.
She told me that she believed in Dare and me, and that we would find our way back to each other eventually.
She’s always told Amelia and me that “what’s for you will always be yours.
” I hope, now more than ever, that’s true.
“I missed it last year, too.” I look at him in surprise. He shrugs. “I canceled it. I wasn’t in a good headspace either, you know.” I nod in understanding. “It’s ok, though. We’ll bring it back this year, and it’ll be amazing.”
Maybe it’s rude not to socialize with my other guests, but Darío and I spend a long time on the balcony talking about what to make for dinner, and we have a laugh about all of the recipes that went terribly wrong in previous years.
Neither one of us will concede about who makes better mashed potatoes, so we agree to bring it to a vote over dinner.
I know my way around the kitchen, but I was on quite a learning curve when it came to Thanksgiving menus.
As with anything else, I didn’t rest until I perfected my recipes.
Other than Halloween, Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday to celebrate, so I’m thrilled that I get to experience it again this year.
The chill in the air finally gets to be too much for all of the skin I’m showing, so Darío leads me back inside, where everyone is lounging about the sitting room. I notice Craig passed out in Julian’s lap, and I snicker. “Are you sure that’s your dog and not his?” Dare follows my gaze and sighs.
“That dog likes everyone more than me,” he grouses. “That’s at least true of you and Julian, but still. I rescued him. Jules was far more interested in the cows. I feed him, walk him, and love him. But fuck me, I guess.” I’m cackling now, as he pouts.
“Aww, poor Dare. Are you not getting enough attention? Don’t be sad,” I coo between fits of laughter. He lunges for me, and I try to escape, but he grabs my wings, preventing me from getting far. I’m doubled over in laughter while everyone stares at the two of us as if we’ve lost our minds.
“You are definitely not an angel, Harlan. Your horns must be hidden in those curls,” he retorts as he tries to get past my wings to grab me. I slip out of the arm bands that attach the wings to my shoulders and make a beeline for Wes, who is having an animated conversation with AJ.
“Wesley, help!” I cry as I launch myself at him. He lets out an oomph as I barrel into him, prepared to use his body as a shield. Instead of protecting me, Wes blocks me from getting behind him, and I feel Dare’s arms wrap around my waist. I shriek in protest as I’m lifted off the ground.
“Looks like Dare found the booty,” Julian announces, causing bursts of laughter around the room. Darío takes advantage of the momentary distraction that had me pausing my furious kicking and starts to tickle my sides, right above the waist of my pants. Of course, he knows all of my tickle spots.
“MERCY! No more, please,” I beg breathlessly, as tears stream down my face.
“That’s not fair, you can’t tickle me!” He’s relentless, though.
I finally wiggle enough for his hold to loosen and allow myself to fall like dead weight to the floor.
I’m panting while he glares down at me, but I see the laughter in his eyes. “Truce?” I hold out a hand and wait.
“For now, brat,” he chuckles, pulling me up to stand. “I’m really glad I came tonight.” The switch to serious Dare is jarring, but I’m also glad he came tonight, and I tell him that. “I’m going to grab a water. Would you like one?”
“I’ll come with you.” I lead him to the kitchen and open the stainless steel refrigerator.
He checks out the big display screen that lets you see what’s in the fridge, and he whistles.
“Yeah, it’s fancy. I have no fucking clue how it works, but apparently all of the units have them.
I’d be happy as long as it keeps my stuff cold.
” He laughs, accepting a bottle of water from my outstretched hand.
“It appears to do that well enough,” he informs me after chugging half the bottle. “It’s a beautiful place, Lan.” I thank him before I drink my own water.
Wes and Bennett are the first to leave, and Ezra isn’t far behind.
I thank my friends for coming and celebrating with me.
Penny is the next one to leave, after confirming that I don’t need any help cleaning up.
Everyone pitched, so there’s really not a lot to do, anyway.
I’m exhausted from the events of the day, but I’m so grateful for this entire group.
“We’re going to go, baby,” Jules says when I plop down next to him on the couch.
“I’m so glad you’re back home where you belong.
” As I’m about to get up to hug him, he holds out a hand to stop me.
“No need to get up.” He kisses my cheek and scoops Craig up in his arms before making his way to the hall.
AJ pulls me to my feet for a hug and tells me he’s glad I’m home, too.
I soak up AJ’s affection, grateful that I seem to be back in his good graces.
I wonder if these boys realize they are all ‘home’ to me.
“It’s good to see you so happy, Lan,” AJ says softly.
I smile and thank him for the gift as he follows Jules to the door, leaving me alone with Darío.
Suddenly, I’m nervous, but he doesn’t give me a chance to overthink the situation.
“Thank you for inviting us. I had the best time tonight. I know I’ve said this a lot, but it’s true.
I’m so proud of you, Harlan.” He pulls me in for a hug, and I wrap my arms tightly around his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.
He still smells like summer to me, and it brings me inexplicable comfort that this has remained the same.