“She isn’t happy you’re here?”
“She didn’t want me to come in the first place, not alone, and I might have let her believe it was just for a few days so I could do the interview.” A wince twists her beautiful features.
“I’m guessing she wasn’t happy when you told her about your idea to stay longer?”
Her eyes squint before she lowers her head to conceal her face. “I didn’t exactly tell her.”
“Then how do you know she won’t understand?” I try to sound upbeat.
“I said I didn’t tell her, not that she didn’t find out.” Her voice is a little muffled, because she still hasn’t looked up. If I knew her a better, it would be impossible for me not to console her in some way—ideally with touch. As it stands now, it’s taking everything for me not to move closer and lay my hand on her back, or under her chin to lift her face, but I realize that’s too much too soon, especially considering how skittish she rightfully is.
Eventually, she peeks up to peer at me from under her lashes, and I ask, “Have you tried flowers?” I grimace at my own lameresponse, causing Harlyn to let out an abrupt bark of laughter that dies almost as suddenly as it arrived.
“No, I haven’t tried flowers, but it might not be a horrible idea since she isn’t taking my calls at the moment.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to try. Besides, if she’s a good friend, I’m sure she will understand.”
“She is a good friend, but Livy is also a Scorpio, and she tends to hold grudges.”
“You might just want to go straight with the spa gift card.”
“Oh, it sounds like you have some experience in this area. Did your girlfriend forgive you?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend, but I do have three sisters.” I manage to let her know I’m available and avoid answering if I’ve used that particular fix in past relationships at the same time.
“Interesting,” she murmurs softly. “Do you have any brothers?”
“No, much to the chagrin of my father.” The involuntary smile on my lips seems to amuse her, and her lips curl up softly in response.
“He didn’t like being outnumbered?” she guesses.
“That and some other things,” I agree. It’s a little early to get into family baggage. I don’t want to frighten her away with my bullshit.
“My granddad pretended he hated living with three women, but he secretly loved all of us fussing over him. He did have his little tricks though. He kept a stash of chocolate and Midol in the house at all times.”
“Very smart,” I remark. Harlyn’s eyes shift from my face back toward the folder on the counter—a cue it might be time to get down to business. Maybe once we address the elephant in the room, we can both relax a little. “Are you sure you want to talk about this stuff tonight? I’m in town for a few more days, we could meet up tomorrow morning.”
“As much as I would love to avoid it, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep either way.”
I nod my head slowly. I knew what her answer would be before I offered, but I hate the fact that she doesn’t sleep. “Unfortunately, that is a common thread between us,” I admit.
“I’m not surprised. I honestly don’t know how you sleep at all. I only have one case living in my head all the time.”
“Yeah, but the situation is quite different. I’m vested in my cases, sometimes way too deeply, but I’m not usually emotionally involved.”
“Usually?” She shifts her weight, cocking out her hip to lean against the island.
“It’s rare, but it’s happened,” I admit. I don’t tell her that I’m already feeling that pull to her sister’s case or why. Harlyn has given me a few signs she might be interested in me too, but it’s also very clear rushing her would be a mistake.
I watch her chin dip down and her throat work as she swallows before speaking in a near whisper. “Did you solve the case… the one you were emotionally invested in?”
“Not just me personally, but eventually, the case was solved.”
“Did it help?”
“Help with what, Harlyn?” I’m pretty sure I know what she’s asking, but I voice the question anyway.
She nibbles her bottom lip as if she’s reluctant to answer. “It was a stupid question, sorry.” She shifts to walk away, but I reach for her, gently grasping her forearm.
