She laughs affectionately. “The world does not revolve around you, Nolan, despite what you were taught growing up.”
“I’m serious, Maxine.”
“And so am I. I knew who Harper was. You moved to Cupid and then all the sudden every other sentence was about her. ‘Dan’s daughter Harper works for me’, ‘I wish everyone worked as hard as Harper’, ‘Harper mentioned a gallery here in the city, we should check it out’, I don’t even think you realized how much you talkedabout her.”
Flames in my chest lick up my neck. I pull on my collar trying to get any type of breeze to cool this embarrassment down. Because she’s right, I didn’t know I talked about her at all.
“Harper applied for the open house night all on her own, I only knew because I went through every application. Then you found her before I could introduce you two. You’re trying to give me too much credit and normally I would bask in the glory but I did nothing, you two were simply—” she shrugs a single shoulder, “kismet.”
“Kismet?”
Now I know she’s fucking with me. How can Harper and I be destined to be together? Doesn't make much sense since we’ve known each other for…well I don't even really like to think about it because technically, I’ve known her since she was born.
I slump into the chair a bit further. “I don’t think that’s the best word to describe what we are.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“I don’t—” I shift around in the chair a bit. “What if—”
There's a thousand thoughts swirling in my head, and I know I can spill them all to Maxine without judgment but I still can’t get them to come out. If they come out that might make them real and I prefer to keep my insecurities to myself.
“Spit it out.” Maxine’s tone is a touch bored.
“I can’t give her what she deserves.” I shout a bit louder than I need to
A burst of air blows past Maxine lips, her dark eyes rolling at my outburst. “That’s absurd, you are Nolan Archer, there is nothing you can’t give her. Nice try.”
“I can’t give her time, and it wouldn't be fair to her.” Her head tilts to the side and clearly I’m going to have to spell this out for her. “I am twenty-two years older than her.”
I can’t bring myself to look at her, and I almost missed her near silent ‘oh’. Instead, I stare at the picture of Eros on her wall. I gave it to her as a gift for opening Midnights as a joke. So she could always think of me, since she was the one to give me the name Eros. But Maxine liked it so much she kept it and hung it in her office.
“Have you asked Harper what she wants?” When I don’t answer, she continues on. “Of course not, because that would be too easy. Nolan, you are the best person I know, and for years I’ve watched you self sabotage every relationship you’ve dipped your toes into for reasons I’ll never fully comprehend. You deserve good things and Harper is a good thing.”
“And what happens in ten years when I’m an AARP member, retired and waiting on Medicare to pay for my medical treatment? In twenty years, when it’s harder forme to walk around and need a hip replacement and she’s forced to take care of me while she is still young and in her prime?"
“First of all, you’re never going to be an AARP member or use Medicare, you’re literally a millionaire, why would you need it?” she says while grinning at me but when I don’t join in on her humor, her face switches. “I’ve never seen you like this over a woman, or anyone. You must really like her.”
She’s a hard person to surprise but Maxine’s eyes double in size as my next words kind of tumble out. “I love her, and I feel like if I tell her, I’m saddling her with a life that will only bring her down.”
Her recovery is quick. “You’re an idiot. Stop making decisions for your future and talk to Harper, see what she says because I can guarantee none of that will matter to her, becauseyoumatter to her.”
“I hate when you are right.”
“I know.” Her face, smug. “Is this really what you came all the way out here for? To spill the inner workings of your heart to me?”
Right, the band.
“No, actually, I need a band.” She immediately reaches for her phone, and I thank whatever God will listen, because I must have done something good in my life to havea friend like Maxine. “I can pay whatever but I have no clue where to start looking.”
“Keep your wallet in your pants,” she says without looking up, thumbs flying over her phone. “I have a cousin in Cornelia whose son is in a band.”
“Are they good?”
She shrugs. “Define good?”
“Maxine, I need the band to at least be decent.”
“Calm down, they can play. I’ll just tell them to stick to covers, their original stuff isn’t quite what you’re looking for probably."
