I nearly gasp out loud when it dawns on me. Mom is setting us up! Of course she is. She’s constantly trying to play matchmaker, and I’m so pissed at myself I unknowinglyfell for it. Harlow must have known who I was when we matched on SapphicSingles last night. How could she not?
Fuck it. I’m not letting Mom have this one. I toss the washcloth in the sink and extend my hand toward Harlow who startles. “I’m Lily. It’s nice tomeetyou.”
I may have tossed too much emphasis on “meet,” but oh well. I’m not playing into this twisted game these two got going.
Harlow stares at my hand for a beat before taking it. Her palm is so smooth and warm, it sends an annoying jolt between my thighs as memories of her hands on my body flash before my eyes.
“Nice to meet you too,” Harlow says, still looking uncomfortable. She asks Mom, “Where’s your restroom?”
Mom tells her, and I seize the opportunity. Once Harlow turns the corner, I excuse myself to change out of my gross and sticky jeans and resist the urge to sprint after Harlow. I catch her just as she’s about to open the bathroom and grab her elbow, dragging her in the opposite door.
“What the—oh, my god. What’re you doing?” Harlow shakes me off.
I peek out into the hallway and listen. No one heard us—at least no one is reacting if they did. I shut and lock my bedroom door and whirl around on Harlow.
“Are you serious?” I spit. “You need to leave.Now.”
“I? What—no. Look, I get this might be a little awkward, but?—”
“Awkward?” I squawk. “You’re here as my mom’s latest setup and on Christmas Eve? This is a new low for her. I thought you seemed cool last night, but now?—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Harlow throws her arms in theair. “What’re you talking about? I didn’t even know you’d be here.”
I frown, not convinced. “Then what’re you doing here?”
“Mrs. Lewis invited me to bake cookies.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And you’re just casual friends with suburban white women in their late fifties?” I snort. “Yeah, right. Mom savors family time, especially when we’re all in town. She wouldn’t invite you unless she was trying to set us up. And shouldn’t you be with your own family, anyway?”
Harlow’s face hardens. “Myfamily? Who are you referring to? The parents who couldn’t be more grateful I turned eighteen so they could give up the pretense of caring about me? Or my sister who ignores all my texts and only calls me when she’s asking for money? Or my uncle—the only person in my family who ever gave a damn about me, who also happened to have died five months ago? Which family are you referring to? Please. Fucking enlighten me.”
I splutter speechlessly.
“Yeah, thought so.” Harlow shakes her head. “I don’t know what kind of shit you have going on with your mom, but I promise you she didn’t invite me here to set me up with her daughter. And—by the way—youmessagedmeon SapphicSingles. Not the other way around.” Harlow flicks the lock and glares at me over her shoulder. “Last night was fun, but you need to get the fuck over yourself.”
And with that, the door slams shut behind her.
I’m an asshole.
I follow Harlow’s lead, and we ignore each other the rest of the afternoon. Taylor and I know it’s safer to stay outof the way of Mom and Lucy, so we hide at our customary spot at the dining room table, cutting out sugar cookies. That leaves Harlow to be, unfortunately, caught in the middle as Lucy and Mom bicker loudly and try to get Harlow to pick sides.
Harlow scratches her chin thoughtfully as my mom and sister go back and forth on either side of her. “Okay,” Harlow says in an authoritative tone sharp enough to draw both of their attention. “Lucy, you mentioned vanilla cookies, and I know a fantastic eggless recipe. Since we have an unexpected shortage, why don’t we start there and then we can make the peppermint mocha cookies once we have more eggs?”
Mom sighs. “That’s a good point.”
“I agree,” Lucy says.
Taylor and I snap our heads up. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Mom and Lucy agree in the kitchen before. Taylor and I catch each other’s eye. Her eyebrows are halfway up her forehead, and I give her an equally shocked and impressed look.
Okay, Harlow.
“Now, all we need is to send someone for more eggs,” Harlow says.
I jump up. “I can go!”
“Sit,” Mom says. She cups a hand around her mouth and shouts, “Landon, sweetheart, can you come here?”
I sag back into my seat with a sigh as Taylor says, “Nice try.”
