My mouth lowers to hers, our lips mold, and it’s that tender part of me that I only have with her. Our tongues swirl against one another.
“We’ll make it to other side of the cloud, I promise.”
Then I slowly guide her back until we’re lying on top of the mattress, taking time to just say nothing, instead letting our fingers explore.
Her eyes flick up to tie us together with an invisible string. “You’ve been making a lot of promises lately… but this time I believe you,” she whispers.
This is the man I should have been. I recognize that. It’s different now.
Because I have more promises to come.
18
SUMMER
I’m not sure why I’m sitting at Catch 22. Not when I have the Dizzy Duck and Jolly Joe’s as the lunch options in town. Instead, I decided to meet Harlow the extra 15-minute walk from Main Street. Sometimes it’s nice to have a change of scene, and their chicken salad sandwich is to die for.
“We are too lucky with this fall. I’m sure I just jinxed myself and now we’ll have snow for Thanksgiving. I’ve only lived here for a short while, but I’m now accustomed to the fact that Illinois weather likes to play tricks on us.” Harlow swirls her straw in her iced tea. I’m sure she is missing her Florida sun, but we make compromises when it comes to love, and that’s what she did for Stone when she moved here.
“I really love this season. Crunchy leaves and pumpkin pie, you can’t go wrong,” I reminisce and throw a fry in my mouth. It’s been a few weeks since Halloween, but autumn is still here. “How is the bambino?” I indicate to her growing belly.
She glances down and rubs her belly. “Like her father. Waking me up in the middle of the night.”
I shake my head at her humor but then pause for a tick. “I was actually wondering something…”
Her shoulders slant up. “Sure.”
“Uhm, maybe you and Stone need a little baby practice.”
Harlow’s eyes squint at me. “Uh, should I be offended?”
I laugh and realize my entry was not my strongest. “No, I’m trying to ask if maybe you and Stone could watch Bo for me?”
She’s chewing on her burger and speaks with her mouth full. “Yeah, totally. What, like, for a few hours?”
I wince, and I’m wondering if this is where I face my first judgment. “No, actually…” I glance out at the lake, happy we are inside as it seems beautiful but a little windy. “Maybe overnight?” I gulp.
Harlow slowly places her burger back on her plate, now attempting to connect the dots. “As in…”
My eyes focus on the fry that I’m now toying with. “I just need a night without interruptions.”
“I would love to help, you deserve a quiet night.” She smooths her napkin on her lap, and her lips press before she sighs. “I don’t think it’s only because of you, though. Nash…” she drawls.
A long breath leaves me. “Yeah,” I admit. She nods and waits patiently. “I know it’s soon, but I just want to have some time alone with him. We’ve reconnected, and I think we owe it to ourselves to have some alone time.”
She ponders for a second. “Sure,” she chirps out and raises her burger to her mouth as if it’s no big deal.
“Sure?” I study her, and it seems that her mood is breezy.
Harlow shrugs. “Yeah, I’m not going to be judgmental if that’s what you were thinking. It’s your life. As long as you feel it’s a good idea, then it doesn’t matter what I think.”
My brows furrow. “Do you think something?”
“Hmm, you know… at first, I wasn’t sure what it was, can’t label this situation, but then it kind of became apparent that your lake swim might have opened a door to something between you two. Should you give yourself more time to just be yourself and alone? Maybe. But it’s not my place to judge.”
My face relaxes from her explanation. “Thanks. I guess it’s what I needed to hear today.”
Her straw makes a slurping noise. “Although, do you think you two could fall into the water again? I missed that scene, sadly.” Her monotone has me concerned that she’s probably serious.
