“Or is it just because it’sher?”
“I think you deserve better than that,” she admits. “Better than someone who would publicly embarrass you over and over. In a way, I guess seeing you with her made me feel … protective. My mother always says protective instincts can reveal the truth about who really matters to you.”
My behavior on the podcast immediately comes to mind, but I can’t pick that apart right now, so I put a pin in it.
“I’m not embarrassed,” I argue. “I never was. Some of it was tough to listen to, but Harmony says what she thinks, heart on her sleeve, even if it’s wrong. Unlike you, who kept your thoughts and opinions to yourself when it was important. You could have told me from the start that you weren’t ready to talk about marriage, or that you were unsure, instead of letting me go on like an idiot.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“And then you hurt me anyway—far worse than if you’d spoken your mind sooner. I’d rather brutal honesty than gentle humoring.”
“You can’t tell me that’s the basis of a good relationship, though,” Mikayla says, nodding at something across the room. “Brutal honesty insong? Bantering like teenagers?”
I look up to see Harmony has entered, with Daisy Malloy and four other women. They’re smiling and laughing and trying out the slot machines.
An odd sense of peace comes over me.
“Maybe the feud was real,” Mikayla continues, “but I just don’t buy the rest of it. I know you, Griffin. I know—for obvious reasons—how you act when you’re dating someone, how sweet and affectionate you are. You’ve barely touched Harmony in public.”
“You know what?” I stand up, pushing away from the table. “You make a good argument. Let me see what I can do about that.” I stride over to Harmony, not even sure Mikayla iswatching because I don’t dare glance over my shoulder and lose my nerve. But she has to be watching, and she damn well better get the point.
Harmony’s companions turn to see me as I approach, which prompts Harmony to turn too.
I reach her and put my hands on either side of her face and draw her lips to mine and kiss her deeply.
Everyone around us gasps, which gets the attention of even more people.
For an instant, Harmony is tense, but then she melts into me and kisses back like she’s been aching for it as much as I have.
I completely forget where we are. I don’t care anymore. She tastes as good as the night I met her—better, even.
When somebody whistles and snaps us out of our daze, I remember why I did this, the statement I originally wanted to make and to whom. I scan the room for Mikayla, but she’s gone.
Harmony, with her cheeks all flushed, strains her height on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear, “You’re all good. She definitely bought it.”
Her friends giggle and drag her off toward some roulette wheels (where you can’t lose, and all the winnings are from Rolex, Chanel, or Cartier). She smiles at me faintly, almost … sadly?
Did shewantme to kiss her? Like, sincerely?
The irony.
In trying to convince Mikayla that my fake feelings were real, I think I’ve now convinced Harmony that my real feelings are fake.
Wait—real feelings?
I stare after her as she disappears into the crowd.
Shit.
RIFF:Hey … haven’t seen you for a bit. You okay? Sorry if that was … too much.
HARMONY…
HARMONY:No, it was fine. I appreciate you checking though.
HARMONY:Sorry for disappearing. Madison Landry wanted to play roulette, and then we ended up at the photo booths. Also, Lauren Jakowski just invited me and the other girls to hot tub at her place. Are you okay if I go? I can stay if you need.
RIFF…
