Page 28 of Even After This
Harlan returns his focus to his phone.
“Harlan?”
His eyes dart to mine.
“I don’t think you answered my earlier question. Is everything all right?”
We both glance down at Alex, who rummages through a small pink backpack.
Harlan shifts toward me. “She’s been having sleepovers with my mom, who brought her by to have breakfast with me this morning.” He nods to Alex. “Little Bit’s mom was supposed to come pick her up, but I just got off the phone with her, and she can’t be bothered with it right now. She’s not the most dependable person.”
My brain is conflicted between compassion for Harlan and the mayday signals his proximity is causing me.
His gaze flits around the room, never settling on a person for long. “I’ve got an important production meeting this morning, and my assistant, Penelope, is off-site, so she can’t bail me out. I called Sally, but the group is on a field trip riding the train to Pike’s Peak. The hotel staff is trying to find someone, but they’re swamped with two new shuttles of arrivals, and no telling if or when help would be available.” His jaw tics. “This is so like Olivia. I cannot believe...”
I imagine a deep thicket of history behind the words he doesn’t say.
Ignoring the tension in Harlan’s body language, a woman walks by and snaps a photo without asking permission. Harlan takes a protective side step to conceal Alex’s presence and gazes down at the floor.
I glare at the clueless tourist, wondering again what fame costs Harlan. “How long is your appointment?”
“I’m not sure. We’re meeting with a college buddy of mine, Landry McKay. He’s an FBI agent and serves in a consulting capacity for the movie. It depends on his availability, but if I had to guess, we should finish up midafternoon.” He shakes his head. “I’ll just skip it.”
With a deep breath, I find some confidence and make my proposal. “Okay, listen. I know you don’t know me well, but I can take Alex. I don’t carry a résumé with me, but if you need a professional reference, call Sally.”
He cringes. “Meredith—”
“Harlan, I’m serious.” I lean forward and rest my hand on his arm. “I can take her.”
Harlan’s eyes travel from his phone, to Alex, to my hand, and back to my face.
Before I hyperventilate or he files a restraining order, I let go of him. “I was about to leave for the z-o-o.” I have no clue if Alex can spell. But if Harlan says no and she wants to go to the zoo, he’ll have anarchy on his hands. “I’d love to take her with me.”
He squints, and I’m just sure that red splotches are climbing up my neck. I either need to move forward or bail.
Mommy mode takes over. “Bottom-line these details for me. Any food issues or allergies?”
“No.”
“Does she take a daily nap?”
“Rest time at 2:00.”
“Has she eaten breakfast?”
“Yes.”
“Is she potty trained?”
“Yes.”
Thank God. “Is her backpack stocked for the day?”
“A change of clothes, extra shoes, light jacket, her blankie, lunch, some emergency snacks, and a sippy cup.”
“Impressive.”
Harlan rolls his eyes. “Yeah, well, I can’t predict what Olivia will or won’t have. Sometimes I’m parenting them both. But I can’t take credit. Penelope packed the bag.”
