“I agree. Life’s much slower here than in Tampa. It doesn’t feel as rushed, like I can take a minute to breathe in and enjoy each moment, no matter how minute.”
“These moments are the ones that I try to enjoy the most. The ones where we’re all together, everyone healthy and happy. Basking in the adventures we’re lucky enough to enjoy together. Most of us are in love.” A soft smile graces her features as she speaks.
After eating one last breakfast spread, packing everyone up, and the girls doing their final checks of the cabins it’s time to head out. Now Harley, Precious, and I are tucked into the truck and headed back to Florida. Music softly fills the cab as we pass by snow-covered trees and the occasional car heading up to the lodge.
The first few hours of the drive are filled with light conversation, reminiscing on our trip and planning for the New Years party that I’m hosting. Harley has decided that everything needs to be extravagant, so she can wear this new, sparkly dress she can’t stop raving about. Along with suggesting that we should set up the spare room for Bella and Hayden to crash in so their parents can hang out until the ball drops.
A few hours into the drive, the plans for New Years Eve are ironed out, and she’s texted the group chat before we find a comfortable silence as I continue our drive south.
“Thank you for doing this, it’s been helping me.” Harley’s soft voice pipes up.
“This as in our relationship?”
“Our fake relationship.” She clarifies, and disappointment consumes me but I can’t let it show.
“Right. I forgot to ask earlier, but are you going to be my New Years kiss, Peppermint?”
“Hmmm…” Out of the corner of my eye, Harley taps her chin, “I’m not opposed to the idea.”
“Opposed to the idea? Is kissing me that bad?” I fein hurt.
“No, it’s not bad at all.” Then, under her breath where she thinks I can’t hear her she adds, “it’s the best kiss I’ve ever experienced.”
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to make the next one better.” I shrug nonchalantly as I speak.
When Harley doesn’t respond, I let the conversation die and we go back to driving in a warm silence. Eventually, I look over to Harley, her eyes closed, chest rising and falling slowly as she rests.
As she sleeps peacefully in my passenger seat, I’m left with reeling thoughts, my thumb quietly rapping on the steering wheel. The closer we get to Florida leaves me wondering what happens next. Will she change her mind and suggest we continue our fake relationship after the holidays? Or better yet, will she decide that our relationship should be real after all? Do I get to keep having the time I’ve been hoping for with the girl of my dreams?
Chapter 14
Truth Bombs
Harley
“So you’re telling me that you’re fake-dating one of your friends and the man you have feelings for rather than pursuing something real with him?” My therapist, Violet, asks. Her eyes are boring into my soul, and when she puts it that way, it sounds ridiculous. Who am I kidding? It is ridiculous. I could very easily walk up to Collins and say, “Hey, I’ve been into you this whole time and want to pursue this, but like… Real.” I’m sure he would love to hear those words from me, I don’t miss the way he looks at me across the room, the way he touches me whenever he can, or the way he made sure I was okay even before we started this endeavor.
“Uh, yep.” I wring my hands together in my lap, knowing she’s about to lay some serious truth bombs on me. That’s the kind of therapist Violet is and the kind I need. I tried them on like underwear until I found her.
“Harley.” Violet waits for me to tell her exactly what I know she’s about to say.
“Yes?” I give her my cheesiest smile.
“You know what I’m about to say. And I know you know because you sit in this chair at your office telling people similar things.”
“Ugh, I know okay?” I throw myself back on her green, velvet couch dramatically. “If I can fake date him, then I should real date him if my feelings are real. But I’m scared, what if he turns out to be like Benji?”
“Has he ever threatened you? Laid his hands on you? Does he make you feel bad for not spending time with him?” Violet was by my side as I navigated my relationship with Benji and knows how Collins was the whole time.
“No, I feel the safest when I’m with Collins. He gives me space, he doesn’t force me to do things or keep me locked away. He literally wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’ve seen him rescue a spider from his cat.” I chuckle as I remember him locking Precious in the bathroom as he ushered a spider into a jar with a piece of paper, setting it free in the bushes out front of his house.
“Hmm…” She hums decisively, “We have ten minutes and you have homework.”
“Lay it on me.”
“The next time you’re with him, you’re going to treat it like it’s real. Give him therealfeelings and the real actions. No pretending.”
“Easy enough,” I say like I haven’t been doing that this whole time.
