Page 93 of Even After This
23
Flu fest day three.
Harlan has been vomit- and fever-free for twenty-four hours. So far, my body has not betrayed me. We just might survive this with minimal damage.
I glance at Harlan stretched out on an oversized, cushioned patio chair, feet resting next to mine on the matching ottoman, hands clasped over his chest, eyes closed. The pallor of death is gone, and his gorgeous tan coloring has returned. Covered by the awning of my deck, enjoying mild Texas November weather, he looks peaceful as the wind blows through his dark hair.
“Is your success as a caretaker proportionate to the amount of Lysol you use?” he asks. Without opening his eyes, he smiles. “I thought the flu would kill me, but it turns out I should’ve been worried about chemical poisoning.”
Sitting in an identical chair next to him, I elbow his forearm. “I buy in bulk so I can disinfect for a solid month after anyone pukes. You can never be too careful.”
His shoulders shake with his chuckle. “I thought germs could only live on a surface for twelve hours.”
“Yes, but their shelf life in my head is much longer.”
He opens an eye and peeks at me. “We’ll take as much Lysol as you want when we go camping.”
“Ugh.” I roll my eyes with dramatics that should impress this actor. “Are we back to this again?”
While hanging out with a sick person is not ideal for someone who suffers from emetophobia, the official name for my vomit phobia, the last few days gave us time together. In between naps and anMST3Kmarathon, we discussed everything from terrible auditions to first kisses. When he gained more energy, we covered deeper topics like life’s disappointments and surprise joys.
Each conversation drew me into the beauty that is Harlan Holcombe.
Sometimes our relationship feels like an unpredictable vortex that could lead to pain and heartbreak. What does Harlan Holcombe dream for his future? What if we don’t want the same things? But in quiet moments, I picture Harlan guiding me down the same spiral into the clutches of something real. Something safe.
“I don’t camp. Lysol can’t help any of my problems while being one with nature.” I hold up my hand, ready to raise a finger for each point. “Sleeping on a hard floor, eating food that may or may not be cooked all the way through, and going to the bathroom without the use of a toilet are not my ideas of fun. Not to mention impending bug or animal attacks.”
“I still think you’ve camped with the wrong people.” He sits up and turns toward me. “I’m offended you won’t consider going with me just once.”
I don’t care how blinding his smile is right now, I’m not budging. “Camping is for high school youth group make-out sessions, or single people who need to prove to their friends that they’re low-maintenance. I have nothing to prove.”
“So you won’t hang out in a tent with me.” He reaches across the arms of the chairs and grabs my hand. “But will you celebrateChristmas with my family in Colorado Springs?” He kisses my palm. “Top-of-the-line mattresses.” Another kiss. “Fully cooked meals.” Kiss. “Running water.” A final kiss and a wink.
I blink. The kisses were lovely, but fear is seeping into this conversation.
He leans in. “The flu wasn’t on purpose, but I’m constantly thinking about how we can make our schedules match up. Almost to stalker status.”
I blink again. Penelope’s warning about Olivia flashes through my head. How am I supposed to respond to him?
“Honest.” He grins and shakes my hand. “I was going to lie about a favorite barber in Dallas just for an excuse to come in town every two weeks. But a visit at Christmas would be easier.”
“You cut your hair every two weeks?”
“Meredith.”
With no alternative escape route, I double down. “Every two weeks for the disheveled look?”
He growls, part frustration, part amusement.
I close my eyes, inhale, then open them and look at him. “I can’t go, Harlan.”
His tone gentles. “Why not?”
“Um.” I pull my hand back and rearrange the afghan covering my legs. “Have you talked to Penelope?”
He straightens his spine. “What does Penelope have to do with this?”
Oh no. What do I do now?
