As if my father knew I needed saving, he appears in the doorway, his wheelchair being guided by a nurse I would guess close to my age.
“There’s my baby.” He gives me the proud papa smile that I get every time I see him. “Come here.” He holds his arms up to me and I immediately go to him, leaning down to wrap my arms around his broad shoulders.
“You scared us,” I speak into his ear.
“I scared myself.” He chuckles. “But you know me. It’ll take more than a little heart attack to keep me down.”
“Well how about we don’t test fate.” Standing back up, I get my first good look at him since I arrived yesterday evening.
He looks tired. His dark hair has more gray in it since I saw him last and he has bags under his eyes. All things considered, he looks pretty good. Though it is weird to see my six foot, two-hundred-pound father, sitting in a wheelchair dressed in a hospital gown. Growing up he always seemed invincible. This is a sobering reminder that no one is invincible, not even Evan Daniels.
The rest of the morning is like a blur. Doctors and nurses are in and out of my father’s room every few minutes and right after two o’clock they roll him back to place his stents. Mom and I are both nervous wrecks, but less than two hours later he’s back in his room, sitting up and talking like nothing had happened.
It is such a relief and because he’s doing so well I felt okay about going to my parents’ house to shower and change out of my two-day old clothes.
I had purposely avoided my phone for most of the day. I know Harris meant well when he sent the flowers, but he shouldn’t have done it. In a way I almost feel like he knew it would spark a conversation. Maybe he was hoping I’d tell my parents about him. Or maybe he really was just trying to do something nice for me. Either way, it’s left me with this weird feeling in my gut and I can’t seem to get rid of it.
Once I’m clean and feel halfway human again, I head into the kitchen. Spotting my purse on the table, I decide it’s time to bite the bullet and check my phone. Pulling it out, I scroll through a couple messages from people at work checking in, and two from Hannah, before finding only one message from Harris that simply reads I miss you.
He misses me?
I’ve only been gone a day. Why would he miss me? But then I’m hit with a thought that’s even harder to swallow.
I miss him, too...
Chapter Seventeen
Blue
My phone is pressed to my ear as the line rings. Once. Twice.
“Hello.” His smooth voice comes across the line in the middle of the third ring.
I didn’t realize how much I missed that voice until this very second. The thought leaves me with a weird feeling in my stomach.
“Hey.” I clear my throat.
“Hey.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “I was wondering if I was going to hear from you.”
“Yeah, sorry I haven’t messaged you back over the last couple of days. Things have been hectic.” Truth be told, I’ve had ample opportunity to text him back or to call, but for whatever reason I’ve been putting it off.
“That’s okay. I completely understand. You’ve had a lot going on.” He pauses. “How’s your dad doing?”
“He’s doing good. Thank you for asking. He got to come home today.”
“That’s great news.”
“Yeah, it is,” I agree. “How’s everything there? Have I missed anything at work?”
“It’s been pretty quiet here. We had a retirement party for Robert yesterday. He was asking about you. I think he was a little bummed that you weren’t able to make it.”
“I didn’t realize that was this week.”
“Yeah, his last day is tomorrow.”
“It’s going to be weird without him around. And as much as I’m going to miss him, I’m not going to miss all the calorie filled pastries he brings in all the time. Maybe I’ll be able to cut my gym days down once he’s gone,” I joke.
“Or you can find more creative ways to exercise.” He chuckles.
“You’d like that too much.”
“You’re not wrong there.” Another pause. “When are you coming home? Life is dull without you here.”
“My flight is booked for Friday morning. I wanted to stay an extra day to help my mom around the house and stuff.”
“What time does your flight get in? Do you need a ride from the airport?”
“I think we’re scheduled to land around two in the afternoon. I was planning to catch an Uber home.”
“How about I pick you up instead?”
“Thank you for offering but you don’t have to do that. After the week I’ve had I just want to get home and curl up in my own bed for a while. I’ve barely slept this week.” I purposely avoid telling him that it’s not only worrying over my dad that has kept me up at night.
“Can I see you Friday evening after you’ve had time to get home and settled?”
I want to say yes. God, with every fiber of my being I want to say it, but being away from him this week has forced me to answer some questions that I’m not sure I like the answers to. I think I need to keep a little distance between us when I get back. Truth be told, I’ve realized that I like him a little more than I think I should. For a normal person that may not seem like an issue, but for me it’s a very, very big problem.
I’ve avoided this type of complication in my life by keeping clear of situations like this and men like Harris. Now, I find myself smack dab in the center of the lion’s den and he’s already barring his teeth, preparing to feast.
When I agreed to this bet I didn’t think there was the slightest chance he would win. I thought he would turn out to be exactly who I thought he was. But the more time we spend together and the better I get to know him, the more surprised I am by him. And even though I want to believe it’s genuine, that I’m seeing the real Harris, there’s that tiny voice that keeps saying he’s toying with me in the back of my mind. I am just another woman in his long line of conquests.
Sleeping with him is one thing. Letting myself feel something for him is something else entirely.
“I’m probably gonna go to bed early and hopefully sleep through the night.”
“Oh, okay. How about Saturday then?”
“I’m not really sure. Can I let you know after I’m home and I see how I feel?”
“Yeah, of course.” I can hear the disappointment in his voice and I instantly feel guilty.
“So what else is new?” I ask, eager to change the subject. Even though I’m the one that called him, after promising myself I wouldn’t, the last thing I want to do is talk about or even think about what happens when I get back.
“Nothing really. I found out Monday that Everett is planning a visit.”
“Your brother?”
“Yep. Apparently he’s flying in next Wednesday for five days.”
“That’s exciting. I bet you’re really looking forward to seeing him.”
“I am. It’s been months since the last time we saw each other. We talk on the phone a couple of times a week but it’s not the same.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling. I feel the same way when it comes to my parents.”
“I’d really like you to meet him while he’s here.”
“Why?”
“Do you not want to meet him?”
“No, it’s not that. Of course I’d love to meet him. I guess I’m just confused as to why you would want him to meet me.”
“I think the more appropriate question would be why wouldn’t I want my brother to meet you?”
“I don’t know.” I pace around my parents’ guest bedroom. “It’s not like we’re going anywhere. There’s only two weeks left on the bet.”
“And?”
“And then this, whatever this is, will be over.”
“It will only be over if I lose, which I don’t intend to do... again.” He says it with so much certainty that even I almost believe it.
“Harris,” I start, trying to pu
sh past the slow simmer of excitement that builds in my chest.
Don’t do it, Blue. You can’t go there...
“I like you, Blue, and I have no qualms about saying so. I think I’ve made my intentions pretty clear.”
Has he?
“Besides, what’s one dinner with my brother really going to hurt? Or are you afraid it might make you like me even more?”
“Why would meeting your brother make me like you more?”
“Because maybe then you’ll realize that the person I’ve shown you over the past two weeks is who I really am.”
“And how would meeting your brother prove that to me?”
“If I was even the slightest bit ungenuine in front of my brother, he would call me on it no matter who was around. He’s probably the most stand-up guy I know. Maybe if I can show you that I’m not putting on some front to win a bet, you’ll actually take me seriously.”
“I do take you seriously.”
“But you’re not taking this bet seriously. You still think I’m out to only win a bet, but I’m not. I’m trying to win the girl.”
His words send my heart galloping inside my chest. But wait, I don’t want my heart to gallop. I don’t want my palms to sweat or my breath to quicken. I don’t want to feel anything for this man.
I think it’s a little late for that, Blue.
“You’re a smooth talker, you know?” I bite my bottom lip, trying to keep myself from smiling even though he can’t see me.
“It’s a gift.” He chuckles. “So what do you say? Dinner with my brother. I can set something up for next Friday after work?”
“I don’t know.” I hesitate to say yes, not knowing where my ever-changing feelings are going to land me a week from now.
“I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
The last bit of my resolve chips away.
“Fine.” I sigh dramatically.
“Perfect. I’ll confirm the time and place with you once I’ve had a chance to talk to Everett.” He pauses. “Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe Hannah could come, too.”
“What, why?”
“Everett’s been going through a bit of a rough spell in his love life. Might do him some good to spend the evening with a pretty girl.”
“Did you just call Hannah pretty? Should I be worried that you’re going to set your sights on my best friend next?” I say it as a joke, but that doesn’t mean the thought doesn’t make me wonder.
“Hannah is pretty,” he tells me unapologetically. “But she isn’t you.”
“You have to say that.”
“No, actually I don’t. That’s what you don’t seem to get. I don’t say things to stroke your ego or mislead you. I say them because I mean them. I only have eyes for one woman.”
“It’s Patti. I knew there was something between the two of you,” I tease.
“You think you’re really funny, don’t you?”
“I do actually.” I giggle.
“I can’t wait to see you.” The change in his tone causes my chest to constrict. “I didn’t think it was possible to miss someone this much after such a short amount of time together but I do. I miss the hell out of you.”
“I miss you, too,” I admit in a moment of vulnerability.
“So you’ll talk to Hannah and see if she wants to join us?”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to her. But I have a question first, and this is really important.”
“Shoot.”
“Is your brother as good looking as you are?”
“What?” He laughs.
“That is the first thing Hannah is going to ask me.”
“Hannah thinks I’m good looking?” I can tell he’s messing with me but I don’t call him on it.
“Who doesn’t think you’re good looking?”
“Careful, Ms. Harris. You might end up giving me a big head.”
“I think that ship has long since sailed,” I deadpan.
His laughter filters through the phone and warms me from the top of my head to the very bottom of my feet. It’s quickly become one of my favorite sounds in the world.
Which is why you need to take a step back, the little voice in my head chimes in. I silence her for the moment.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
“What question?”
“Your brother... Is he good looking?”
“God, I don’t know. How do you expect me to answer that? He’s my brother.”
“So. You have eyes.”
“I guess he’s a pretty good-looking guy. But he’s not me.” It dawns on me that I’ve actually already seen a picture of Everett on Harris’ nightstand, so I guess my question is kind of a moot point.
“Of course you would say that.” I shake my head and roll my eyes at the same time.
“You asked.”
“That I did,” I agree, deciding I need to wrap this up. I swear, I could talk to him for hours on end and never get bored. “I guess I should probably get off here. I told my mom I would cook dinner and it’s already almost six.”
“I didn’t know you could cook.”
“I’m not that great at it but I know how.”
“So what you’re saying is that you’re going to cook for me sometime soon?”
“That is not what I was saying at all.” I laugh. “But if you really wanted me to, I guess I could maybe do that for you.”
“Will you do it naked?” he asks, completely serious.
“Excuse me?” I choke out.
“I’m just saying, it would be a lot more fun if you were naked, or maybe wearing nothing but an apron. Now that’s something I could get on board with.”
“Oh my god, I’m hanging up now,” I say, laughter dancing through my words.
“Fine.” He huffs playfully. “Will you let me know as soon as you land on Friday?”
“I will.”
“And I know you said you wanted to catch up on some sleep, but if that changes I’m keeping my evening open.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I smile. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.”
“Bye, Harris.”
“Bye, Blue.”
I wait until he disconnects the call before lowering the phone from my ear.
What I meant to be a casual conversation to prove to myself that I could talk to him and not go all starry eyed completely backfired. There’s no denying it at this point. I’m into him. Like, really into him. Lying to myself about it is getting me nowhere.
They say acceptance is the first step.
But liking Harris and being excited to see him and talk to him doesn’t automatically equate to falling in love. I think that’s where most people get it wrong. Luckily for me, I’m not most people.
——
“I’m so glad you’re home.” Hannah wraps me in a big hug seconds after I exit the airport.
My plan was to call an Uber but she’d informed me this morning that she had taken the afternoon off to pick me up. Really, I think she wanted an excuse to take a half day on a Friday and get an early start to her weekend, but whatever her reason I’m grateful not to have to Uber. I’ll do it when necessary but I’m not the biggest fan of riding with a complete stranger when I’m alone.
“I’m so glad to be home,” I tell her, stepping out of her embrace.
“Come on. I’m parked right over there.” She points to the line of cars waiting in the pickup area.
I follow her to her car, throwing my duffel in the back before sliding into the passenger seat.
“So.” She slips her seatbelt on and pops the car into drive. “Catch me up. How is everything? How’s your dad doing now that he’s home.”
“He’s really good. I expected him to be different somehow, or for this whole ordeal to slow him down but it hasn’t. Yesterday he was back out in the garage working on the bookshelf he’s building for my mom.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Hannah veers right and pulls into traffic.
&
nbsp; Hannah knows my parents pretty well. Considering we’ve been friends for a decade, she got to spend nine years around them before they moved to Florida.
“Anything else going on? Have you talked to Harris?”
“Not since Wednesday. He text me a couple times yesterday and then again this morning. Which reminds me...” I trail off, leaning forward to dig my phone out of my purse. “I promised him I’d let him know once I landed,” I say, typing out the message as I talk.
Me: Just landed. Heading home now.
“Things seem to be really heating up between the two of you.”
“It’s just a bet, Hannah.” I let out a sigh, relaxing back into my seat.
“Whatever you need to tell yourself.” She throws me a sideways glance. “But you know that not saying it out loud doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Not saying what?”
“That you like him.”
“I do like him. I’m not trying to deny that.”
“But?”
“But nothing. I like him, that’s it. We both know it’s not going anywhere. I’m just trying to enjoy the ride while it lasts.”
“If you say so.”
“Why do you say it like that?”
“Because I think you’re in denial.”
“Whatever.” I pause for a moment, then, “By the way, Harris wants you to come to dinner with us next Friday.”
“Why? Hoping to throw a threesome into the mix,” she teases.
“Shut up.” I shake my head at her. “His brother is coming into town and he thought it might be fun for the four of us to go out.”
“Oh god, please don’t tell me this is some ploy to try to hook me up with his brother.”
“Not at all. He’s in the military and is currently stationed in Hawaii. I think that might take long distance relationship to a new level.”
“He lives in Hawaii?” Her eyes widen. “On second thought, go ahead and hook me up.” She laughs.
“Lord.” I snort. “You are too much.”
“Is he good looking?”
Violets are not Blue Page 12