“In some other girl’s arms.” I shake my head at her, hoping she’ll drop it. “I caught him with someone else”—I point to Knox—“his someone else to be exact. That’s sort of what’s bonded the two of us,” I offer. At least it was thetruth.
“Is that so?” That brow arches farther up her forehead, and now I’m fearing for both Knoxandme.
“And pie.” Knox touches his shoulder to mine. “We also bondedoverpie.”
Mom lets out a haw of a laugh. “Yes, well, my Harper has always had exquisite taste in food”—she licks her lips while inspecting Knox as if he had suddenly morphed into a truffle smothered side of beef—“and apparently, she has exquisite taste in boysaswell.”
Brad chokes on his words. “She just said she wasdumped.”
“I’m not talking about that boy.” She touches a finger to Knox’s nose, and I’m ready to both leave andvomit.
I hold up a hand before the lunacy goes any further. “How about I give Knox a tour of the gallery and the two of you finish your lunches?” That’s code fordon’t you dare follow us the hell around while licking your chops at my new boyfriend. Not that Knox is my new anything. I’m essentially doomed to walk the planet alone. And ironically, up until I discovered what a lightweight my heart was, I was perfectly content doing just that. But clearly Knox and his stealth heart of gold has changed my view of roaming the lonely planet without aplusone.
Mom and Brad heel while I drag Knox into the next room as if there was a pile of free caviar waiting for us. Just the smell of Mom’s Thai food had me begging for a bite. She’s right. I am essentially a foodie, and a proficient one at that. If I had it my way, I’d eat six square gourmet mealsaday.
“So, that’s your Mom?” Knox shakes his head in disbelief. Swear to God, if they fall in love in some weird twist of fate, I will not date Brad as a means to drive my mother bonkers. I’m done with that. Just the thought of accidentally falling in love with Brad and his man bun sends shivers up myspine.
“That would be her.” I nod up at the first exhibit hall we’ve stepped into with all of its pornographic glory. “And these would be hermasterpieces.”
He looks up and takes a full breath as if taken aback by all the full frontal, full side, and fully bent overnudity.
“That’s alotof—”
“Skin?”
“Skin-colored paint.” He winces as he steps in close to inspect them. “She’s really good. It’s only up close you realize these are paintings. I’d swear thesearereal.”
“You’d better get your eyesight checked. Either that or it’s wishful thinking on your part. I bet you wish that the bevy of naked beauties surrounding you would climb down and start walking aroundtheroom.”
He belts out a laugh before his eyes settle on mine. “I’ve got the only beauty I need walking around the roomwithme.”
And right there my heartmelts.
After coming to from an awkward yet blissful bout of silence, I take Knox from room to room, pointing out the contrasts in colors and textures, my mother’s stained glass period, which thankfully doesn’t include any sharp or pointy parts of the human anatomy, her sculptures, then we hit the final room, a twelve piece exhibit on human sexuality complete with S and M whips and chains, couples tied, gagged, and bound in places that the human mind shouldn’t everimagine.
“Whew!” Knox wraps an arm around my shoulders as we hit the end of the gallery. “Things were starting to get a little heated inthere.”
“You think?” I bump my shoulder into his. “Trust me, she held back because she didn’t want to risk her work landing at one of those after dark New York galleries. As much as she enjoys getting edgy, she enjoys having her socialite friends imbibe champagne while spending an evening at the gallery. Her friends have their sexual limits and she made sure to push them to the brink.” I glance down at his hand just inches from my left boob—and in a moment that I’m not too proud of, I actually move over a notch just to feel his fingers grazing my flesh—oh my God, Knox is touching my boob. My eyes close as I absorb the soft dancing of his fingertips across my nipple. Then it hits me. I am officially a pervert. I’ve essentially manipulated a boy’s hand so that he could cop a feel. I’ve stolen second base. Is that even a thing? I think I just made it a thing—a thing that no self-respecting girl should ever,evertry.
“Whoa, sorry.” He pulls back and offers an amicablesmile.
“Right.” He’ssorry.
And sadly, soamI.
Just as we’re about to head on out, I see a welcome sight that sends my mood skyrocketing through thestratosphere.
“Harley? Henry?” I scream so loud as I rush them, and I catch a tiny glint of fear in my brother’s eyes before he warmstome.
I wrap my arms around the two of them at once, and we spin in an awkward circle with Henry’s oxygen tank whacking me in the leg theentiretime.
Henry makes a face as if holding back his enthusiasm. “I was starting to forget what you”—he pauses to take a breath—“lookedlike.”
I belt out a laugh and so doesHarley.
“Then look in the mirror!” I turn to Knox with a laugh caught in my throat. “This is my big brother, Henry. He’s essentiallymytwin.”
Knox steps in with that killer grin and a part of me wishes I were introducing him as much more than a friend. “Nice to meet you.” He gives a quick glance to the oxygen tank. It’s okay. Most people need to get usedtoit.
