Page 94 of Even After This
“Meredith. If you won’t tell me, I’ll call her.”
I stop tucking the blanket around my knees. “No. Don’t. It’s not her.”
“If there’s been a misunderstanding with Penelope, let me help.” He swipes the screen on his phone.
“It’s Olivia.” My face cringes after her name bursts from my mouth.
His eyes slice to mine. “What about Olivia?”
“I don’t know details, but Penelope said Olivia’s going to challenge you for custody.” I reach out to grab his arm. “If she brings me into that battle, it might be a disaster. My history over the last few years could make me appear unstable. And I won’t do anything to jeopardize your relationship with Alex.” The last words wobble as tears simmer in my eyes, blurring my Hercules.
My gut clenches. I’m falling in love with Harlan Holcombe. And saying goodbye to him will take more courage than I can fathom.
A lethal vibe emanates off Harlan. Standing, he shifts away from me and stomps a few feet. He runs a hand through his hair and grips his neck. When he turns back in my direction, his eyes are blazing. “Sweetheart, come here.” His bossy command is somehow gentle.
“I think it’s best if we—”
“Sweetheart. Come here. Please.” He holds out a hand, but it’s the expression on his face that draws me to him. Bridled fortitude with flashes of vulnerability.
I walk to him and grasp his hand.
Standing in front of me, he thumbs through his phone and dials a number. As he puts the phone to his ear, his eyes bore into mine.
I swallow, nervous and unable to figure out what’s about to happen.
Harlan clenches his jaw. “Do not start with me, Olivia,” he says into his cell.
The sharp words surprise me.
“I’m only calling to say one thing. There will be no discussion.” His nostrils flare, and his eyes never leave mine. “Whatever it is you think you’re doing, stop it. Now.” He shakes his head. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You’re dropping threats to Penelope about taking me to court over the woman I’m dating.”
The warm whoosh filling my belly is at battle with the original acidic reaction to the situation. I’m rooting for the warmth.
“Do not act like this is about your father’s death. This is one hundred percent because I have a woman in my life.” He grips my hand tighter and breaks eye contact to lower his head. “And do not force my hand. Your unstable emotional history will not serve you here. I’m not afraid to subpoena medical records or witnesses. Is that what you want?”
Whoa.
He grumbles at her response and looks up to the sky. As he opens his mouth, the doorbell rings. We both turn our heads to peer through the open sliding glass door.
I glance up to Harlan, and he gives a chin lift in the direction of the house.
Rubbing my thumb against his, I offer a feeble smile. As I shift to traipse through the house, I shake my head. What a mess.
Claire is supposed to drop off some chicken noodle soup from Panera. So when I swing the door open, I’m surprised to find Molly. “Hey. Everything okay?”
She plants a hand on her hip. “You tell me. You’re the one who hasn’t shown up to decorate for Christmas at the retirement community.”
I slap my palm to my forehead. “I completely forgot.”
She bulldozes her way past me into the house. “If you don’t want to help, please call the director. It makes me look bad when you stand her up.”
After I close the door, I turn to face my overinvolved sister. “Molly, I made a mistake.” As I take a breath to describe the last few days, Harlan’s raised voice floats through the house.
“What’s going on? He was supposed to leave yesterday. I thought I saw his rental outside, and now I hear his voice andknowthat’s his rental.” Molly’s narrowed eyes peer through the living room. “Is he why you’ve been such a flake?”
I breathe through the shock of her audacity and wring out mynow shaking hands. This tension has been building for a while, but her sharp reaction still cuts me. “I knew this might be hard for you, Molly, but I didn’t realize that when I started living my own life, you would take it personally.”
“Take it personally?” She spits her words at me with an incredulous tone.
