Until he opens his mouth again.
“Can’t say I’m surprised. What does this one do? Executive producer? Head of Production? Sleeping your way through the industry won’t get your music noticed. But by all means, keep spreading your legs. Hopefully, he’ll pay handsomely in child support.” His puny eyes flick my way. “She’s your problem now, man.”
This time, I ignore Harriet’s gentle poke.
I’m in Peter’s face in a flash. “Watch the fucking way you speak to the mother of my child. Whatever she saw in you was obviously a mistake.” I give him a once over and snort. “From the looks of it, she’s not missing out.”
Peter’s mouth opens and closes, trying to formulate a response. I shake my head.
“Nah, you’re done talking today. You’re also done speaking to Harriet ever again. While you’re at it, scrub everything about her from your memory, because I can guarantee she’s already forgotten about you,Peter.” I step back, offering him a flat smile. “Not once in your pathetic little life will you ever be deserving of her, so thank you for that, because I’ll certainly cherish her like the gift she is.”
Harriet’s hand easily finds mine. She squeezes twice, and I’m calm.
“Let’s go,” she urges softly. “I’m hungry.”
I nod, not granting Peter any more of my attention, and allow Harriet to lead us away.
Twenty steps later, Harriet releases a heavy snort before shaking with laughter. “Oh, god. I thought he was going to pee his pants.”
I pull her to a stop outside a small cafe. “If we ever bump into him again, I will punch him. Pre-warning.”
“Don’t waste your energy.” Her arms wrap around my waist. “Thank you. I was planning on ignoring his existence,but after your performance, I’d pay good money to watch you embarrass him again.”
I revel in how easily she fits against me. “He’s got a really punchable face.”
She laughs into my chest. “He’s my unfortunate mistake, not yours.”
“Hey.” I find her chin and raise her face. “You don’t believe what he says, do you?”
The resounding silence reboils my blood.
“Harriet, it’s the furthest from the truth. That tool wouldn’t know talent if it smacked him in the head.”
She sighs. “The thing is, he does. He works for a very reputable and well-known record label now. He’s probably painted a terrible picture of me to his bosses. Word spreads like wildfire, and a part of me wants to quit before I’ve even begun. My videos rarely reach anyone, and no one is going to want to work with a heavily pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother.”
“No.” I cup her jaw. “I’ve seen you work too hard to give up now. Yes, you should enjoy the last few months of your pregnancy and as many after—whatever you decide—but I won’t let you abandon your dreams. Remember what I said?”
She purses her lips. “We’re a team.”
“Damn right.” I kiss her furrowed brow, wishing it was enough to wipe her uncertainty away. “And we don’t quit.”
Her smile is watery, but it’s there. My smile. “I’m tired. Let’s head back.”
We walk to my truck, and the air between us on the drive to Harriet’s cottage has shifted significantly compared to the one hours earlier. I’m amped up, the fire burning beneath me fueled by finally giving in to my feelings and putting her ex in his place. Harriet shuffles restlessly in the passenger seat, stirred by similar emotions.
“Let’s put the radio on,” she says and presses a few buttons on the center console before settling on a station.
I’m transported from my truck to the top of the Ferris wheel when “I Wanna Be Yours” by Arctic Monkeys plays. Wind whips through my hair. A fall sky glitters overhead. And Harriet writhes and moans in my lap as she soaks my fingers.
I swallow before glancing over at her.
She’s already watching me with hazy eyes.
“Do you remember this song?” I ask gruffly.
She chews her bottom lip. “Vaguely…”
My cock immediately stiffens painfully behind my zipper.
