They’re all silent, sizing me up. It’s only Harriet who appears happy.
Margot, who wears her intimidation like an ill-fitting suit, cracks first. “I think he passed the test. Nice to officially meet you, Warren.”
“You’d make a terrible fucking interrogator.” Parker huffs. “It’ll do for now, but you’re still on probation.”
While Harriet’s tattooed friend is the most vocal, it’s Talia who studies me under X-ray vision, obviously not completely convinced. I can handle her. All that matters is Harriet’s trust.
“Okay then.” Harriet slaps her palms together. “Now that’s over with, let’s order some food before I gnaw my arm off.”
They yield their weapons, and thirty minutes later, we’re sharing hearty portions of dirty fries, stuffed jalapeños, and honey-whiskey chicken wings. Parker gives me a history lesson on the distillery, Margot gushes proudly about her ten-year-old daughter, and Talia talks about her time as a medical malpractice lawyer.
Feedback crackles through the speakers, hushing the low chatter in the room.
“Evenin’, lady folk and gentle fellas. Thanks for joining us tonight at the Smokey Barrel.” A portly man, with bright red cheeks and a bolo tie close to cutting off his circulation, stands on the small stage.
“That’s Jimmy, the owner,” Harriet whispers, leaning into me. “Kindest soul you’ll ever meet.”
“We’ve got a special treat for ya’ll this evenin’,” Jimmy continues. “She’s sweet as pie, with a voice smooth as our finest whiskey. Give your biggest round of applause for Harriet Thomas.”
My head jerks to the left. Harriet stands from the table, accepts a guitar from a bartender, and loops the strap over her head.
“Forgot to mention I’m on the clock tonight.” She winks awkwardly, cute and endearing. “Any requests?”
Yeah.Quit being so goddamn perfect. “Surprise me.”
Eyes glued to Harriet, I follow her as she takes to the stage. Jimmy wraps her in a hug, staring at her proudly before she settles on a stool.
“How are we doing tonight?” She gives her attention to the crowd, who cheer and holler. “That’s good to hear. This is going to be a short set tonight, but our resident DJ will look after you until midnight.”
A tripod materializes by Parker, who props up her phone, ready to record.
I found Harriet’s social media page shortly after the wedding and spent hours watching, then rewatching, her videos. Some were covers, but most were originals. The number of followers increased every time I checked on her page, and I even sent it to the firehouse group chat, encouraging them all to follow “my friend.” Her determination to not put her career on hold during the pregnancy is admirable, and I’ll do whatever I can to help.
With the warm glow of the spotlight highlighting every flawless inch of her, her movements practiced to a fine art, she adjusts the guitar clamp and plucks at the strings. Any other person, and I’d be uninterested. With her, I’m captivated, under her spell, with total disregard for an antidote. This is before we’ve gotten a taste of the sweet, sultry lyrics I’m growing restless for.
Then, she opens her mouth, and the world falls away.
This differs from the few minutes I heard her sing at the wedding or online videos. This time, I fully appreciate her beauty. The cadence of her voice washes over me like a calm breeze. The opening chords match the steady thrumming in my chest.
She sings about dewy fall mornings. Waking up beside a man with midnight eyes. Coffee on the porch while the hummingbirds zip through the air. Limbs tangled in bedsheets and kisses built for eternity.
“Isn’t she amazing?” Margot or Talia asks; I’m not really sure, because my attention is zoned in on the stage. I couldn’t look away if I tried.
Amazing is an understatement. This is a gift.
I ignore her friends, her coworkers, the strangers in the room—everyone in the universe. A starved part of me likes to believe she’s singing for me and only me.
Nothing compares to those three minutes and thirty-seven seconds.
A second longer, and my meticulously built walls would come tumbling down.
How wrong I would be.
TWENTY-SEVEN
HARRIET
SEVENTEEN WEEKS PREGNANT
