Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Is Lover Boy coming to pick you up?” Hailey asked.
“He’s not Lover Boy, and yes, he is coming to pick me up. We’re going strawberry picking later.”
Hailey had already told her that since there were no clients, she wanted to close shop as she had a date. Harlow was going to head home and just relax, but Andrew had asked if she would like to go strawberry picking, and she didn’t have a good enough reason not to. She also didn’t want to be home alone thinking about … him. Harlow had been very clear with Andrew, that she cared for him as a friend, and that was all it was. They hadn’t crossed any lines. No kissing, not even holding hands. She hadn’t lied to him. She was still feeling the loss of Hunter, not that he knew who she was missing, and she hoped to keep it that way.
“Speaking of Lover Boy, when are you going to tell me about yours?” Harlow asked. “You’re the one keeping secrets.”
Hailey’s face went a beautiful shade of red. “I don’t know, he’s incredibly vague. Every time I go to see him, I think I’m going to put my foot down and be firm, and he’s going to tell me why we’re being so secret, but then I’m with him, and being around others and other people knowing, I don’t mind it.” She started to smile, but it was the kind of smile that stretched across her whole face, and gave her a beautiful glow. “I know. I know, it makes me a doormat. I should give him an ultimatum.”
“No, Hailey. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. If you like keeping it secret just between the two of you, then go for it. Trust me, when other people find out, it turns into one giant mess.”
She couldn’t help but think about her and Big Dick. It had turned into one big mess and because of it, she had lost her brother. The only problem was she didn’t regret being with Hunter, not completely. The aftermath, the heartache, and the pain—she wished that had never happened. She wished she’d been able to be with Hunter without the feelings of love. Without wanting him. That would have made her life so much easier, for them both.
Hailey clapped her hands. “Thank you.”
Before she knew what was happening, arms were thrown around her neck and she was pulled in for a hug.
“I am loving what we’re doing. I’m kind of excited about all the sneaking around.” Hailey giggled. “It is so much fun!”
Harlow hugged her friend back. She wasn’t going to warn her that if it went the wrong way, heartache waited. She’d leave that for now and focus on hugging her friend.
They finished their day of work, which for Hailey included an appointment that consisted of a tutorial for makeup application. Harlow gathered up the latest batch of online orders, sealed, and got them ready to ship. Once that was done, Hailey wasted no time in closing the shop.
Andrew hadn’t arrived, and Harlow pulled out her cell phone to see if he had changed their plans.
“Hello, stranger.”
She looked up to see Larissa walking toward her. “Hi.”
Harlow was pulled into the other woman’s arms, quite tightly as well. Larissa had been trying to text her. So had Abriana, Raven, and Ava, but the texts, even the phone calls had all been too much at the time. She hadn’t texted or called them back, and she knew that was wrong.
“How are you?” She hadn’t seen much of Larissa since she started to work for Hailey. Working for Ava was a dream, and she hoped Larissa was having as much fun as Harlow did when she worked for the other woman.
“I’m fine. I’m doing good. It’s a half day today for Ava. She wanted me to have a break. It’s getting close with her pregnancy, and she wants me to have some me time.” Larissa gave her a smile. “What are you doing?”
“I’m actually waiting for someone,” Harlow said. “We’re supposed to go strawberry picking.”
“Oh, that sounds like so much fun. Can I tag along?” Larissa asked.
Andrew chose that moment to turn up. Harlow looked at him with a smile.
“I’m sorry I’m late. Dad insisted on telling me this fishing story that he told me a gazillion times, but if I don’t let him finish, it just keeps going over and over, and trust me, it’s better to let him finish the tale than stop him.” Andrew looked from her to Larissa. “Have you made other plans?”
“Actually, no, Larissa has asked to join us in our strawberry picking.”
“Larissa?”
“I’m Larissa,” she said.
“Andrew.”
The two shook hands and Harlow couldn’t help but wonder if there was a potential spark between the two of them. If there was something for her to work with, then she would be happy to play matchmaker. Andrew was a sweet guy, she liked him a lot, but she didn’t want to lead him on unnecessarily. She always hated in books and movies, when the main heroine had a thing for another guy, and there was some nasty breakup, and she’d move onto said great guy. Harlow hated that.