“He was always laughing and joking with customers—I never once saw him angry—a stark contrast to my own parents. So being with him was this moment of peace before going back home to find out Dad had moved out.”
“Shit,” I breathe.
“Yeah, I shouldn’t have been surprised. They fought all the time. We couldn’t make it through one dinner withoutthem taking jabs at one another. But I think thirteen-year-old me was hoping they’d take the summer to work things out and finally start getting along. I actually deluded myself into believing I’d come home to a happy family with parents who loved each other.”
“Damn. I’m so sorry, Harlow.”
“It is what it is,” she says quietly. “Hannah took the divorce hard. She didn’t talk to Uncle Tim after we got back. I think she thought he was in on it and was pissed at him. Whenever he’d reach out to her, she was so rude to him.
“But, for me, he became the only family member I could truly count on. I always knew he believed in me and was proud of me. We’d text and talk on the phone. I even visited him a couple times over the years and actually met George. I think that’s what makes it hurt worse. George was always so nice. Loud and goofy just like Uncle Tim. I actually liked the guy, before he switched up on me.”
“Wow.” White-knuckling my steering wheel, I shake my head in disgust. I keep thinking I can’t get more pissed off, and then he goes ahead and tops himself. I’m about to find out his home address and book a flight to Michigan.
“I think my uncle knew what a big deal that summer was. How it was our respite before everything went to shit,” she says. “He never married. Never had any kids. So, I guess, now that I’m saying all this out loud, I shouldn’t be surprised he left his house and business to me. I was the daughter he never had.”
“Awh, I’m really glad you two had each other,” I say.
“Me too,” she whispers.
“And the petty side of me is really happy your uncle didn’t leave the shop to that asshole, George.”
She snorts. “Yeah, so am I.”
I pull my car into a parking spot and grab my stuff. “I’m really sorry you’re dealing with all this, and I wish I could do something to help.”
“There isn’t anything you can do,” she says. “But thank you for listening.”
“Anytime.” I smile softly to myself while trekking up the stairs to my second-floor apartment. “But, Harlow, I think you should tell my mom.”
“No, she’s already done so much. I don’t need to—There’s nothing she can do, there’s no point.”
“Maybe not, but if there’s one thing I know about my mom: She gets shit done. So just trust me. I don’t know how, but I think she’ll be able to help.”
Harlow doesn’t respond for a long moment. Long enough I’ve unlocked my front door and kicked off my shoes before she says, “I’ll think about it.”
I’ll take it.
“Wait a minute,” she says. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to ask me before I hijacked our conversation?”
“Stop, I’m glad you told me about this.” Under my breath, I add, “Even if I’m now pondering how to get away with murder.”
Harlow laughs. “What do you think I’ve been doing for the past hour? But seriously, what did you want to ask?”
I brighten and say, “How do you feel about going to Grand Rapids?”
Chapter Ten
April
The second I found out I have a long layover in Michigan, my first thought was Harlow. She moved some things around and was able to take off two days to join me in Grand Rapids. Now I’m buzzing in the passenger seat as I discreetly give her directions, not wanting to spoil our lunch plan surprise.
“Can’t you just tell me?” she asks for the tenth time.
“Nope.” I pop the “p” and steal another glance at her. She looks so damn good in her black T-shirt—sleeves rolled—baseball cap, and joggers. We went on a four-mile hike at a park neither one of us has been to before and are now grabbing lunch before deciding what to do next. And despite spending all morning with her, I can’t stop gawking like I’ve never seen a pretty girl before.
“We’re almost there, you can be patient,” I say.
She rolls her eyes. “You’re one to talk about patience. I’ll remind you of that later tonight when you’re begging to finish.” She winks, and mymouth falls open.
