“I sense a but.”
He takes a swig of his drink, then starts picking at the label. “Well, this complicates things, doesn’t it?”
“It complicates things for Zach, yes,” I say slowly, “and for Harry, I guess, but I’m at a loss as to why it would complicate anything for us.”
Then it hits me, like a grenade going off in my head.
“Fuck. You really meant it when you said you intend to sabotage the show. Why the hell did you want Harry to get dragged into this then?”
“Swear jar. And don’t put words into my mouth.” He rakes a hand through his hair, leaving it rumpled. “I didn’t necessarily want him to get dragged into the situation, but Willow and Tina have made it sound like it’s his dream, and even if it gets canceled after one season, who are they going to blame—the nice, personable guy or the mean old lady?”
“Uh okay.”
“Don’t tell Willow any of this,” he says. “I don’t think she’d approve.”
It surprises me that he’d press ahead without Willow’s approval, given that the two of them have always been so tight, but I can tell he feels strongly thatMatchmaking the Richwill be the nails in our Mayberry coffin here in Highland Hills. Maybe he doesn’t want to burden her.
“I’m tempted to remind you that we agreed to no secrets between us kids.”
“I thought that was a local thing,” he hedges, scratching his nose. “We could adopt awhat they don’t know, won’t hurt thempolicy for Willow and Ivy.”
“Sounds hypocritical,” I say. “I like it. Still, maybe don’t lead with yourPinky and the Brainplan when Harry comes over to look at the house tomorrow.”
“He’s coming over here?” he says, agitated, casting a glance around the living room. There are a couple of Target bags in the corner, the contents still tucked inside, and a dust bunny is rolling across the hardwood floors as if we live in a desert. I also have a box of tech junk sitting on the floor from when I was piecing together some components for Jane’s computer.
“I did warn him.”
“Still. Shouldn’t we clean a little bit?”
“You can,” I say, taking a sip from my beer. “I have some research to do.”
“Oh?” he asks, suspicious.
“Yeah. For Cole.”
The look on his face is so hilarious, I can’t help but tease him. “Don’t worry, I’m not looking for sex toys. He already has a whole drawer full of them.”
“He does?” he asks, going pale.
“I don’t know,” I say, “but Idointend to find out.”
* * *
Me:Dude, do you seriously not know who Deacon is? It took me, like, five minutes. I’m sort of embarrassed for you right now.
Cole:Fuck, Holly, it’s seven in the morning.
Me: That’s not an answer. Also, if you don’t want to be bothered, why is your phone not on silent mode?
Cole:I have a daughter. My phone is never on silent mode. Who’s Deacon?
Me:Let’s talk in person.
Cole:I need to pick up Jane at noon.
Me:Seems to me there’s an abundance of hours between then and now. Tea of Fortune, one hour.
Cole:Fuck, are you really going to make me wait?
