“I work on it every day. It’s little by little, and my advisor knows my progress. He’s the only one who has to, thank you very much, you… annoying person.”
She pushed her glasses up her nose.
Harlow laughed and said, “It’s cute when you try to insult people because you’re so bad at it.”
“I am not. I wasn’t trying to insult you; just inform you that you don’t have to worry about it or me. I’m on track.”
“I always worry about you.” Harlow shrugged a shoulder again, looking serious now. “So, why a book? You started on it, like, a month ago, but I still don’t get it. Explain it to me like I’m a kid and know nothing. That’s probably not that far off if it involves science. Does it have anything to do with the school stuff that you’re supposed to be working on?”
“Not really, no. But I also don’t knowwhatit has to do with.”
“Finding love?”
“Sort of.”
“Well, you know I’m no expert in that department. My last relationship just blew up.”
“How many of those have you had now?” she asked.
“Several.” Harlow rolled her eyes and gave her a smile. “And you know that because after they end, I sometimes show up on your doorstep with bags.”
“Why do you move in with women, then?” Larissa asked and shook her head. “Four times.”
“Hey! I can’t help it. I always think it’s a good idea.”
“But afterfour times?”
“Each relationship is different, Lou.”
“I hate when you call me Lou.”
“I know. That’s why I do it. Your first name is so much to say. Lou is easier.”
“I regret telling you my middle name,” she replied.
It was Louise, which was why years ago, Harlow started calling her Lou for short.
“Anyway, every time I’m with a woman, and we’re taking those steps, it feels like the right move at the right time. I can’t explain it. And, yeah, maybe Ishouldlearn my lesson, but think about it. The first time I did it, we’d been together for a year. It wasn’t some quick thing. It just didn’t work out once we were actually living together, so the next time, when my lease was up and I moved in with someone, it was after four months of dating. That didn’t work out, either, but I was with my most recent ex for two years. We didn’t just move in together.”
“I know.”
“We broke up seven months after I moved in. It wasn’t working, but we’re still okay with each other. I’m okay with all of my exes, which is the weirdest thing in the world to some people, but it works for me and some lesbians. So, every time, I thought it might work, but then, it just didn’t.”
“But why didn’t it?” Larissa asked.
“Different each time, too.”
“Okay, but why each time?”
“We fought all the time.” Harlow held up a finger. “She cheated on me. I tried to forgive her, but couldn’t, so I left.” She held up another finger. “We got bored with each other and were better off as friends. Sex was pretty bad after the first few months, too.” Harlow held up a third finger. “And the most recent one was ready for more, and I wasn’t.”
“You know she wanted to ask you to marry her.”
“I know. I feel really bad about that, but it wasn’t what I wanted; not with her anyway. So, it ended, and I’m here, but I’ll look for an apartment soon, I swear.”
“I’ve only had those two short-term relationships,” she shared. “Nothing else.”
“I know,” Harlow said. “I don’t knowwhy, but I know.”
