Page 30 of A Lifetime of Afters
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “My shrimpy.”
She slung an arm around my waist. “However, if Michelle dishes on her sex life, I want to know. Have you seen that man’s muscles? Sigh. I bet she gets manhandled plenty.”
I barked out a laugh. “You looking to get manhandled, shrimpy?”
“There could be worse things,” she muttered then beamed at me. “I can’t even tell you how happy I am that you’re home. Are you staying? Looking for a job?”
I held up a hand and laughed, “Hold your horses, lady. I’m jobless at the moment, but I haven't decided if I’m staying or moving on. It depends where the jobs are.”
And where things landed with Hawkley.
“The jobs are here,” Harley enthused. “I’ll gladly hand over event planning. That includes weddings where you have to deal with sickeningly sweet couples like the one that just walked out.” She shuddered, “I almost prefer the bridezillas.”
“You do not,” I challenged.
“You’re right. I don’t. Can’t stand those bitches.”
Laughter bubbled up in my chest. “How on earth did you get assigned to weddings?”
Sliding me a narrow-eyed look, she explained, “Don’t laugh or I really will make you do it. Our event planner left early due to pregnancy complications.” She shrugged. “It just happened, and I haven't filled the position yet. You want it, it’s yours.”
“I’ve never done event planning, Harley.”
She waved away my concerns. “You’ve been doing catering for ten years. Food is the most important part. There are binders of info for the rest. How do you think I’m managing?”
Harley, despite her creativity with her appearance, excelled in numbers, logic, and community outreach. Like everyone else, she kicked in where needed. But I’d never describe her as particularly romantic.
“Um… not very well?”
She smirked. “It’s all I can do not to gag. I’m not kidding.”
“So, Paul still hasn’t popped the question?” I inquired gently.
Her false cheer dropped as she looked to the floor before answering. “No. And he’s beginning to talk about marriage being antiquated and unnecessary. And,” her pretty mouth twisted, “much to my dismay, I find I’m an antiquated type of girl.” She shrugged. “He’s on his way out. I’m just not sure if he’s going to end it or I am.”
“He’s an idiot.” Paul pursued her relentlessly for over a year, and they’d been together for almost five. Harley had been ready for some time to take the next step. Paul kept her on the hook, waiting for the right time. “Do you still love him?”
“That’s the thing,” she smirked at herself. “Seeing all these couples, how wrapped up they are with each other, I’m beginning to wonder if I ever did.”
I looked down. I’d always wondered the same but felt bad about it.
“What?” She demanded.
I wrinkled my nose then admitted, “I often wondered the same thing.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Why didn't you say anything?”
I cocked my head to the side, “Didn’t I?”
Harley’s dark eyes went hazy. “Fuck. You did.” She slapped a palm over her forehead and grumbled. “No one’s ever accused me of being too bright.”
“Aw, that’s not it. Sometimes we just don’t get that we’re worth more than we’re getting.”
“Is that what happened with Hunka-Munka?”
“Barrett? No. I’m pretty sure he met someone else who flipped his switch. He didn’t come right out and say it, but he gave me that impression. I was upset, but I didn't love him. I wish I did. Things might have been different. He’s a good man. He treated me exactly the way a woman should be treated.” I shrugged. “I guess he just wasn’t meant for me. I miss him. A lot more than I thought I would. But I was never heartbroken. Not like I should have been if he was the one.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
