“She came to the house late last night.”
“That’s not a question,” I point out.
Seems like my sister was a very busy woman yesterday.
Following Chase’s example of not keeping secrets, I tell him, “She came to Mickey’s last night, too. Funny coincidence. She told me to stay away from you and Jordan.”
Chase’s mouth drops open, then closes. He reaches a hand around his neck and massages it, then tilts his head back to the blue sky and shuts his eyes like he wants to block out the world.
“She told me she was pregnant.”
Chapter 33
I’ve been standing inside the damn pantry for what feels like an hour, just staring at the shelves filled with boxes of food while I struggle to figure out what to make for the dinner I’m cooking for Douglass. Maybe I shouldn’t have given Bernard, our personal chef, the night off.
I enjoy cooking because it relaxes me. Since it’s just me and Harper living here, and Bennett during his off-season, we really don’t need to keep Bernard on to cook for us, but I didn’t have the heart to fire him after Mom and Jack passed away. Bernard had been working for our family for almost ten years by that point. My solution was to keep him on a part-time basis at the same salary he'd been making while working full-time.
I finally give up my search and go to the fridge to see what kind of prepared meals Bernard made. On busy days, it’s nice to just open the fridge, grab one of the containers, heat and eat.
I glance over my shoulder when Harper comes sauntering into the kitchen, dressed in a painting smock that’s three sizes too big for her. A smear of blue paint streaks her cheek and there’s some yellow paint in her braided pigtails.
“Don’t you need to leave to get Douglass?”
Seeing nothing I think Douglass would be comfortable eating, I shut the refrigerator door with defeat. I looked up bulimia online earlier, wanting to better understand Douglass’s mindset when it came to food. I honestly don’t know how I’d react if I caught her forcing herself to throw up what she just ate. Does she still do that?
Leaving that thought alone for the time being, I reply, “She texted and insisted she drive herself here. I think she wants to have a getaway vehicle present for a ready escape.”
“You make her nervous. And to be blunt, she’s only nervous because she cares what you think about her. You’re her unicorn, Jorey.”
Okay, that’s a new one. I’ll bite. “Why am I a unicorn?”
“It’ll be easier if you just look up the reference.” Harper steps around me and opens the fridge again, taking out one of the containers of cold pasta salad. She holds it up and shakes it. “Taking this to go. I’m crashing at Daniella’s tonight, so you don’t have to worry about me...” She pauses for effect. “Interruptinganything.”
When she waggles her eyebrows, I roll my eyes.
“Real subtle, Harp.”
“Hey! I’m rooting for you two. Team Dordan all the way.”
Suddenly remembering that Douglass ate the fruit instead of the omelet, I grab a large salad bowl from the cabinet and a cutting board.
“Who the hell is Dordan?” I ask, selecting a Honeycrisp apple from the fruit bowl for the apple walnut salad I’m going to make.
I’ll also whip up a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing for it. Grill a few pieces of chicken, too.
“Your nickname. Douglass and Jordan. Dordan. I’m trademarking that shit.” She grins at me like a fool, pleased with herself.
I walk back inside the pantry to find the small bag of walnuts I saw with the stuff for baking. Opening it, I begin chopping the walnuts into smaller pieces with a large butcher’s knife. I’ll pop them in the oven to roast for a few minutes.
“Hate to burst your happy bubble, but Douglass and I have a ways to go before we get to the creating cute names stage.”
“I have faith in your persuasive abilities, Romeo.” Harper pushes up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek, then pats me on the back. “Alright, lover boy, I’m out of here. Oh, and outside looks fantastic. You did a great job. She’s going to love it.”
With those parting words of encouragement, Harper literally skips out of the kitchen, singing the tune to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.”
I wipe my hands off on the dish towel and grab my phone from the countertop when it chimes. If it’s Douglass canceling at the last minute, I’m going to drive over to Natalie’s and throw her in my Jeep myself.
Bennett: Have you seen Harper? She isn’t answering her phone.
