“Well, we should probably head back in. Looks like the waiter arrived with the food,” she notes.
“Probably a good idea.”
After we head inside, there seems to be a shuffle of seat assignments, and the seat next to me is now occupied by Brett, while Harlow is across the table listening to Jeff. Still, Harlow’s eyes catch with mine for a mere second before she goes back to pretending to listen to Jeff talk about zombies or the equivalent of a snooze fest.
Maybe Harlow is placing a little distance between us. Doesn’t mean the zap of attraction lessens even the slightest. I’m afraid that it only ups the ante.
Dinner goes by slower than I hoped. It’s a welcome ending when Gloria taps her glass of sherry with a few giggles because she seems to have proven us all right that her handle on alcohol is minimal.
“I hope everyone got a chance to turn off their writing minds for a few hours, and that alone helps rejuvenate your juices—for writing, of course.” My face scrunches at her odd choice of wording and wonder where she is taking us direction wise. “You should have a long night.” All of our heads tilt in surprise at Gloria’s boldness. “I mean, a long night of sleep and rest.” Right, sure, totally, that’s what she meant. “Anyhow, I’m sure everyone will get back to the hotel safely. We can share a few taxis, or you are free to explore town. The walk isn’t too far either. Just remember the first session tomorrow is 8am.”
The lady seems a little pale from embarrassment, but I’ll just add this to the memory bank of retreat good times.
Everyone shuffles around the table, and a few of us decide that walking around Main Street sounds like the best way to round off the night. Even though the center of Lake Spark is small, Catch 22 is a bit more out in the surroundings, creating a little distance, but we can follow the sidewalk along the shore.
And that’s when it happens.
Harlow gravitates back to me as the others walk up ahead of us. I believe on purpose, we trail behind.
“So we meet again,” she greets me.
“It’s not a coincidence,” I confirm.
She shakes her head. “I think not.”
“I have no complaints.”
“I guess neither do I.”
We stroll slowly along the sidewalk, side by side, with my hands in my pocket as my eyes map out the steps we take forward. I try not to count how many it takes until I get to touch her.
“Is this what you do on your evenings in Lake Spark? Walk around?” Harlow tries to make conversation.
“Not so much. My friend who handles the day-to-day running of the Dizzy Duck, we often meet for drinks. Nonetheless, we tend to drink at the bar there. When my brother is in town, then the schedule kind of revolves around my niece, so we hang at their house.”
“Still sounds tranquil. Where I live in Florida, there are great art expos and cafés, but I sometimes feel it’s missing that community coziness or charm.”
“But at least you have the warm weather.”
She scoffs a laugh. “A writer would tell you that a cold winter is all the more reason to be stuck in a cabin together.”
I laugh. “Sounds about right. Let me guess, he’s a billionaire or brother’s best friend?”
Harlow swats my arm, and I pretend to be hurt. “I’m pegging you as a secret lover of the genre. You have nailed down every cliché.”
“It’s kind of easy to figure out. Anyway, ready for your last day tomorrow?”
She hums a sound. “I’ll be out of the clutches of Gloria’s stern eyes. However, I will miss the fact that I can get away without thinking about much right now.”
“Just admit it, I’ve been the key to turning your work retreat into a delightful vacation.” I bring a hand to my heart.
“Oh yes, Stone. The true highlight.” She’s being sarcastic.
The banter between us has been an instant click from moment one. I’ll miss it.
I get a glimpse of Harlow at my side, and she’s wrapping her hair around her hand and sweeping her locks to one side.
“May I ask what you were writing about in your journal? It’s a classic journal, and the pages have a sort of crinkle that gives the book a mature artistic flare. But it’s your eyes focused on your fancy pen while writing that has me interested,” she notes.
