No response.
“Aaron’s watching the register so we can talk.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want you to have to fire me for running off.”
I joined him on the floor, and we sat for a few minutes not speaking until he faced me. “I’m such a fucking coward. And she’s right. Why should I get a second chance when I never gave one to people?”
I knew Harlan was an arrogant and proud man, and to be confronted like that in public and have his past sins laid out so brutally in front of his accuser, me, and my friends must’ve been humiliating.
“Because it’s more than a second chance. You’ve changed. The Harlan I knew from several months ago would’ve said,Fuck it, and stormed out of the store. Probably gotten drunk. He certainly wouldn’t be sittin’ here with me.”
“Maybe you’re right, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that I hurt so many people.” He glanced up at me as if he wasn’t sure of my response.
The man had the face of an angel, but the devil lived inside him and that made me care about him even more.
“Ain’t no one said life was gonna be easy. You got the chance to make it right, though, and that ain’t somethin’ you should take for granted.”
“I don’t. I don’t take anything for granted anymore. Um, what did you tell the guys?” His eyes searched mine. “They must think even worse of me than they did.”
“Nothing. Not for me to tell. If you want to, it’s up to you to share. And they don’t hate you. Ain’t none of them perfect, that’s for damn sure.”
“Except you. You’re perfect as far as I can tell. That’s why I don’t understand why you’re bothering with me.”
“Because of this.” I slid my hand behind his neck and kissed him until he broke free, both of us gasping for breath. “I can’t be near you without wantin’ to kiss you. It’s been like that since the first.”
I kissed him again, our lips meeting hard, hot and demanding, tongues seeking, our hands pulling each other close…closer…until I had Harlan on my lap.
“I don’t know what it is about you, cowboy,” he murmured against my mouth, and I could feel his smile against my cheek. “The only time I’ve ever been able to be the real me is when I’m with you.”
“Yeah?” I rubbed his back, loving his weight on me. “Guess that means I get to keep you.”
Harlan stilled. “Keep me?”
“Yeah. With me. I need to make sure the real Harlan stays around ’cause I kinda like him.”
“You do, huh?” Harlan kissed me again and rubbed his cheek against mine. “I kind of like you too. A lot. But I think we’d better get out there before I show you how mucha lotreally is.”
“How about tonight, then?” I held my breath.
“You got it, cowboy.”
His eyes spoke of infinite promises, and I took his hand and pulled him up to standing.
“Let’s go back.”
We left the stockroom and found the guys standing around the desk, chatting, while Aaron rang up a customer.
“We’re back. Thanks for pitching in, Aaron.”
“Yeah, I appreciate you filling in for me.”
The silence grew uncomfortable around us until Harlan broke it.
“Okay. So what do you want to know?” He folded his arms and posed the question to Austin and Frankie. “I’m sure you’re dying to ask me.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud. Neither Austin nor Frankie were used to Harlan’s outspoken manner.
“Uh, well, I’m not sure what that woman was talkin’ about, but I’ll admit I didn’t like when you and Cort first started hangin’ out. I didn’t trust you ’cause I figured you saw my boy Cort and took him for a softy.”
