by Skyla Madi
Toby turned to address Rebel. “What’s so funny about this?”
Rebel shrugged. “I was just picturing the scenario, is all. The guy called it a ‘coochie bomb,’ for fuck’s sakes. Guess it’s easier to find it funny when it’s not happening to you.”
“So, what’s Harlow say, I wonder?” Carson asked. They both started reading again, assuming Rebel already had.
Dear Situation:
Sounds to me like your roommate needs a lesson in etiquette. Did he realize you were entertaining? I guess it’s pointless to ask because the damage has been done. However, I can tell you care about this woman. You did the right thing by respecting her wishes afterward, and I’m sure she appreciates your daily calls just to let her know you’re thinking about her. She may need to take things slowly to gain back her confidence, so try to be patient with her. It sounds like you’re taking all the right steps.
I can certainly understand why she would be embarrassed, but she’s not alone.
Have you tried talking to her about the situation? Communication is key to a healthy relationship. I’m sorry, but I don’t have one right answer for you.
Maybe you can try apologizing. What happened isn’t your fault. However, she may feel better to hear it. Or maybe you can share an embarrassing experience of your own, so she can feel like you’re on even ground.
You mentioned not seeing your roommate for a few days. I suggest when you do that you mention the predicament he’s put you in and set him straight. Let her know he’s been handled, and if you can give her reassurance that his lack of boundaries won’t happen again, it might help matters as well. I wish you the best of luck in your relationship, and I hope everything works out the way you’d like it to. You sound like a really great guy, and I hope your girl realizes it.
Best wishes,
Harlow
“Smart woman you have there. Don’t you think?” Rebel smirked.
“Smart, beautiful, broken, successful, and so much more. You don’t know the half of it. I’m just getting to know her, and so far, she’s nothing short of remarkable. It’s scary.” Toby sighed.
“Don’t tell anyone I said this, but this chick column is not bad,” Carson said, still reading on.
“I heard that.” Dee grinned. “Welcome to the dark side.” She leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms. “Hey, Mel, you’ve got to see this. The guys are reading Harlow Helps.”
“Get out!” Mel said as she strolled through the door. “I was wondering where everyone was. We’re opening soon, and nobody was out front.”
“We’ve got time, but speaking of the dark side, my darling Dee, are you related to Yoda? Because yodalicious.” Carson wiggled his eyebrows up and down, and everyone started laughing.
“Yoda wasn’t on the dark side, dumb ass,” Mel retorted. “Where do you come up with this shit?”
“It’s a gift.” Carson shrugged. “And the ladies love it.”
“Says you,” she replied.
“All right. That’s enough sibling banter for one morning. We’ve got a shop to open.” Toby clapped his hands together and watched as everyone filed out.
“Hey, Tob?” Dee stopped at the doorway while everyone went ahead. “I overheard what you said to the guys about Harlow, and I can understand why you’d think it was scary, but life’s too short for regrets. It may not be my business, but I’m going to lay it out there anyway. You’re a friend, and I care, so sue me.” She took a breath. “Carley would have wanted to see you with someone genuine. She would’ve wanted you to be happy, and you deserve it all, so take the shot if you can and live a little.”
“Duly noted,” he said. “Now if you don’t mind, we have a day to get started, and I’m not in the mood for a heart to heart.”
“Right.” Dee saluted him, and as she turned around to leave, he called out to her.
“Hey, Dee?”
“Yeah?” She looked over her shoulder at him.
“Thanks. I know you’re coming from a good place. I just have to figure out if I’m ready for that advice.”
“Well, think about it.” She smiled and left.
“One day at a time,” he murmured to himself, thinking of Harlow’s words when he told her he wasn’t sure if he had forever in him anymore. “No promises.”
Chapter Seventeen
Harlow
“So, tell me all about it. I bet it was so good, wasn’t it?” Calista bounced on the edge of her seat as she tried prying the details out of Harlow about her night out with Toby. “Your first time out with a man in I can’t even remember. Where did he take you?”
“Whoa, calm down.” Harlow chuckled. “We went to Mecca’s and had a steak. It was delicious. Hey, did you know he lives on top of the shop? I had no idea until the other night.”
“No, I didn’t, but then again, I never asked.” She grabbed her glass of wine and took the last sip. “I need a top up before you continue. Want one?”
“No, I’m good,” Harlow said. “But help yourself. You know where the kitchen is.”
“Right, keep talking. I can hear you as I pour,” her friend called out. They were in Harlow’s small apartment having a glass of wine in her living room. It had been three days since she’d spent the night with Toby, and she hadn’t heard from him since. In his defense, she hadn’t bothered to contact him, either, but she’d wanted to. It was so complicated with all these feelings and confusion. She decided to call Calista so she could talk about everything without her thoughts driving her wild. Plus, she hadn’t had the best track record with men, and she needed her best friend’s opinion on a few things.
“Well, we went out to dinner, and I fell in love with his bike. He’s got this sleek, black Harley I’d love to ride. My dad used to take me out on his when I lived at home, and seeing the motorcycle made me realise how much I missed it, you know? The thrill of the ride, the wind against me, the speed, the freedom.”
“I bet that’s not the only thing you’d like to ride,” Calista teased.
Harlow picked up a decorative couch cushion and threw it at her, narrowly missing the glass she held in her hand.
“Hey, careful.”
Harlow smiled. “There is that,” she said with a sigh, and it made Calista look at her with wide eyes.
“You didn’t. Get out!” Her friend put the drink down and rubbed her hands together in glee. “Oh my God. You did. You hussy, you. I love it!”
“I did. He did. It was incredible, Callie.” Harlow clasped her chest and fell back against the couch. “And I’m scared because I’m beginning to have some serious feelings for the guy. I’m not sure he can return them. I mean, he told me he wasn’t sure he could give me more than the night we had, and it was like I was possessed with the need to be with him at least once. You know, I just kept thinking, I needed to let go, live in the moment, and have a little fun for once. I always put everyone else before myself, and, well, this time it was different. I went for it.”
“It’s about time.” Calista beamed. “You were well past due to get laid. I was afraid your lady bits might have shrivelled up. A born-again virgin, perhaps. And those cobwebs needed a good poking to clear out or something.”
“Oh, shut up.” Harlow sat up. “I do not have cobwebs, and nothing shrivelled up, weirdo.”
“I know.” Calista winked. “I just like teasing you. On a serious note, I’m happy for you.” Harlow reached over and held her hand.
“You’re a good friend, Callie. Thank you.”
“Of course.” Calista squeezed her hand. “But let’s back up for a minute. What happened after dinner?”
“We went back to his place. He has a really nice loft apartment with these huge industrial windows. Everything is one big open space. It’s rustic and modern. Anyway, pretty much right off, we made plans to finish my tattoo. I have an appointment on Friday at six-thirty.” Harlow continued, “We’re sitting there having a beer and suddenly, I got nervous because I remembered he also said he wanted to see me draw fo
r him. I totally suck. That worry on top of the chemistry I felt brewing between us…I couldn’t help it. I got up and admired one of his paintings. I tried to warn him I wasn’t any good, and he somehow put me at ease, and we sat back down, side by side, and he taught me to draw a sunflower. It completely surprised me that I actually drew something discernable with his instruction, and I felt elated. It was such a small accomplishment, but there it was. In the heat of the moment, I hugged him. The hug turned into a kiss and the kiss led to—other things.”
“Incredible things, as I recall,” Calista said.
“They were. It was.” Harlow’s shoulders dropped, and she looked down at her lap. “I haven’t spoken to him since, and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Wait a minute. You’re seeing him on Friday, right? Did you make any other plans?” her friend inquired.
“Friday night, after the tattoo, he’s taking me out on his Harley.” Harlow looked up and smiled.
“That’s good. So why are you going crazy?” Callie smiled back. “He clearly wants to see you again, or he wouldn’t have offered you more of his time after the appointment. My guess is, he hasn’t called yet because he’s crazy busy at the shop. Pick up the phone and call him yourself, if you want to hear his voice. You’re a grown, independent woman. You don’t need to wait around for a man to make the first move.”
“You see? That’s why I love you.” Harlow nudged her playfully. “I’m going crazy with all kinds of what if’s and insecurities because he is so out of my league. He’s experienced and I’m—not. And here you are telling me how it is and talking sense.”
“I knew I was good for something,” Calista laughed. “You lucky girl.”
“I’m not sure luck has anything to do with it.” Harlow raised her glass to toast. “Here’s to taking chances after so much heartache and hoping it all works out in the end.”
“To taking the leap,” her friend cheered. “If anyone deserves a happy ending, you do.”
“One day at a time, with no promises,” Harlow muttered, then took a big sip.
***
It was getting late, Calista had left about an hour earlier, and Harlow sat on the edge of her bed with the phone in her hand.
Here goes nothing.
She eyed Toby’s business card beside her and dialed. It rang a few times, and just as she was about to hang up, he answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Toby. It’s me.” She cleared her throat. “Harlow. I didn’t wake you up, did I?”
“No. I was just working on a sketch,” he replied. “How are you?”
“I’m good. I was just sitting here and thought of you, so I decided to call.” She exhaled. “Is this sketch for you or a client?”
“A client,” he said. She swore he sounded like he was amused. “It’s of a dragon, and it’s going to take the length of one arm when I’m finished with it. Just getting the details in there.”
“It sounds beautiful,” she said.
“Speaking of…what are you up to?” Toby asked.
Harlow giggled. “Did you just imply that I’m beautiful, Mr. James?”
“There is no implying needed. The guys don’t call you Hottie Harlow for nothing.” The deep timber of his voice gave her shivers, and she laughed as soon as she registered what he had said.
“They do not.”
“Oh, but they do.” He was amused with this conversation. She could tell. He sounded lighter, happier, even. “Although I may have started it.”
“So, you think I’m hot, do you?”
“I think I proved that the other night,” he said.
“And then some.” She sighed. “Are we okay? The other night was amazing, and you were incredible, but I don’t want anything to be awkward between us.”
“We’re golden, honey. I promise,” he assured her. “I’m looking forward to that ride.”
“Me too. I can’t wait. You know as soon as I walk into Misfit, I’ll be all flushed, right? Just fair warning.”
“For what?” He chuckled.
“You said the guys call me Hottie Harlow, and now I know it.” She giggled. “Walking in was bad enough without knowing. It’s like a candy store in there.”
“Uh, you lost me there,” he said, sounding confused. “We don’t sell candy.”
She laughed louder. “No, silly. You are the candy. Hot guys as far as the eye can see. Between you, Rebel, and Carson, it’s no wonder the girls line up to get ink.”
This time, he laughed with her. “It’s good to know you think I’m hot, too. The other guys…not so much.”
“I think I showed you that the other night, didn’t I?” She felt cheeky and went with it.
“Fuck me. Did you ever,” he recalled. “I may need a repeat performance if you’re up for it.”
“So, you’re not a one and done then? Good to know,” she said. “I’d like that.”
“I normally am, but with you, I can’t seem to get enough,” he admitted, and she wondered if it cost him to do so.
“I appreciate your honesty. You’re a good man, Toby James. One with many talents.”
“Thanks,” he replied. “I try.”
“You’re welcome.” Harlow yawned. “Sorry about that. I guess I’m a little tired. Calista came over tonight, and I had a couple glasses of wine.”
“Sounds like a good time,” Toby said. “I’ve got to finish the dragon, and you need sleep. We’ll talk soon, yeah?”
“You have my number, and I obviously have yours, so yeah, we’ll talk soon. Night, Toby.”
“Sweet dreams, Hottie Harlow.”
Chapter Eighteen
Dear Harlow:
My boyfriend only cares about getting himself off in bed. I love him, but I have needs too. How should I handle this?
~Unfulfilled in Minnesota~
*
Dear Unfulfilled:
Be blunt, and if he can’t give you what you need, dump him.
Good luck,
Harlow
***
Harlow
Harlow sighed in relief as she walked into the air conditioned lobby of Misfit Tattoo. It was Friday, the Friday, when she was going to finish her tattoo then go out with Toby. She had butterflies in her stomach at the thought of the finished product on her skin. It meant so much to her: a permanent, beautiful mark that represented life and death intertwined, but it also represented her daughter, in a way. Her precious little girl’s memory, that was. It also hid a few of the many scars she struggled with. Then there was Toby—a conundrum of a man she couldn’t seem to resist with his sexy good looks, big heart, dedication, and loyalty. But she was also drawn to his darker side. She could recognize the internal struggle inside his gaze, as if he understood her sense of loss and grief. A kindred spirit with whom she also had a deep connection. It might have been her need to help people, including herself, that made that draw more enticing because everyone has those demons inside somewhere. He was just another fellow broken soul who she happened to be falling for fast and hard. Some of the excitement she endured by being there today was also for the man himself.
They’d been busy with work but had talked several times over the week since she’d made the first move by calling him. She looked around at the few people seated in the lobby looking through books, cleared her throat, and pasted a big smile on her face as she approached Rebel and Dee, who looked quite cozy together behind the counter. “Hey, guys. I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Rebel winked, and the beautiful receptionist blushed. “Nice to see you, Harlow. I’ll just let Toby know you’re here.” He walked backward, addressing Dee. “We’ll talk more later. You can count on it.”
“Thanks, Rebel. It’s nice to see you again, too.” Harlow waved, then arched a brow at her colorful friend with curiosity. “So, you and Rebel, huh?”
“When there’s something to tell, I’ll let you know.” Her friend held up a hand and fanned her face as if to imply there definitely would be a story to tell later.
“You go, girl!” Harlow giggled as Dee gave her a high five. “Hey, what’s Mel up to? I was hoping to say hello.”
Dee pointed behind her. “She’s in back doing a Prince Albert.”
“A Prince who?”
“You’re hilarious.” Dee chuckled. “It’s a piercing on a guy’s…” When she pointed to her crotch, it was Harlow’s turn to blush.
“Well, okay, then.” She cleared her throat. “That sounds painful.”
They both turned to the sound of Carson’s voice coming from the hallway in the back. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t two of my favorite women.” He winked and strode toward Harlow until he stood in front of her. He grabbed her hand and continued. “Excuse me. Is your name Earl Grey? Because you look like a hot-tea!”
She was speechless. Literally, she had no idea how to respond to that. Where did he come up with this stuff? Instead, she went with her gut and laughed like usual.
“I can’t believe you get laid with those lame-ass come-ons.” Dee shook her head. “Must be your pretty face.” She patted his cheek.
“My pretty face and hot bod. Not to mention my many talents. I’m also a sucker for a pretty smile, and those lines work every time.” He flexed his arms and blew them both a kiss before he called out to his next client. “Max, my man. You’re up, dude.”
They both watched him walk back with his canvas in tow, and Harlow sighed. “I’m seriously going to look forward to the day he meets his match. At least, I hope I’m still around to witness it. Underneath that playboy exterior is a great guy, and she’ll be one lucky woman.”
“Agreed,” Dee replied. “Since we’re on the subject of good men…yours is coming as we speak. Oh, and if all works out as we’re all hoping, you’ll be around a while.”
“I hope so,” she whispered for Dee’s ears only.
“What an amazing sight to behold.” Toby pulled her behind the counter and into his arms. “Hey, gorgeous. It feels like it’s been too long.”