As soon as Daire and I reached the table, Max stood and enfolded me in a hug.“I’m sorry, Harley.I was caught in the middle and didn’t know what to do.When I thought it through and believe me when I tell you I really thought it through, I decided to keep it to myself.I worried you’d write him off along with a legitimate chance at happiness for both of you.”
He released me and sat down.
His face drawn, he continued, “Paul did a number on you.These past ten years you’ve breezed past every goal you’ve ever set.In only one area of your life did you struggle, and that was with men.Paul wasn’t your only bad choice, but he was the longest-lasting one.”
“Don’t you think I should have been given all the facts to make up my own mind?I’m a grown woman and finding out you were all keeping this secret is embarrassing.”
He chewed his lip.“Yes.Absolutely.”He laughed, his sweet dimple marking his stubbled cheek, and rubbed a hand over his hair.Throwing a grin at both of us, he declared, “I blame Daire.”
Daire chuckled and nodded.“I put you in a bad spot.I’m sorry about that, bud.I’m also forever grateful.”
Max studied me seriously.“He made a good case, Harley.He worried, rightfully so, that his passing interest in Noelle would throw you.He didn’t want anything to screw up his chances with you.I have to say, I thought he’d get to know you and then let you know before things progressed.I didn’t expect him to go after you like a wrecking ball.”
I smiled at Daire who looked on unrepentantly.“So far today you’ve been called a caveman and a wrecking ball.What do you have to say to that?”
He sat back and smiled easily.“If the shoe fits.”
When Max headed out, we walked to Beach Buns, picked up a carton of their famous chili with a fresh bag of cheese buns, which Daire couldn’t get enough of, and returned home.
I mused over Hawkley, Noelle, and Max’s words.Was it possible I was wrong, and they didn’t think of me the way…the way… The realization hit me, was it possible they didn’t think of me the way I thought about myself?
Over the next few days, Daire and I fell back into our regular routine, but my brain was working overtime.
Thursday afternoon, my mom knocked on my office door.“Are you busy?May I come in?”
My head snapped up.“Of course, Mom.Take a seat.”
Closing the door carefully behind her, she pulled up a chair.
“Uh oh,” I murmured.The last time she came to my office and closed the door, things got heavy.
“Mhm,” she hummed.“Are you and Daire coming to dinner tonight?”
“Yes,” I nodded definitively.
“Are things settled between all of you now?”
“I’d say so,” I answered slowly.
“Do you want to share?”she asked softly.
I tapped my pen on my desk.“Turns out Daire asked Noelle out before she and Hawkley were public.”
“Okay…did they date?”
I shook my head.“No.”
“I can see that it might be awkward for a bit if they had dated, but if they didn’t, what’s the problem?”
Tears sprang to my eyes.“For fuck’s sake,” I hissed as I wiped them away.
“Harley,” she exclaimed.“What is it?”
“I don’t want to be second best.”
“Baby, when have you ever been second best?”She laughed incredulously.“You’ve been head of the pack since you were an itty-bitty wee thing.”
“Then why do I feel like I’m second best?Like everyone doubts me?”
