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)
“No offense, Hailey, but your parents sound like dicks.”
Hailey burst out laughing. It was verging on hysterical but Harlow looked at her, and saw that it was indeed genuine.
“You’re right, you are so right. My parents hated the fact I was so into beauty and I loved makeup and hair-care products. It drove them insane.” She shook her head. Hailey scooped up some noodles and took a bite.
She felt a little relieved that her friend was eating. “They’re good.”
“You like it?”
“Yeah, I like it. Have you already eaten?”
“No, mine is outside on the kitchen counter.”
Hailey sighed. “I don’t want to get broth everywhere. Do you want to eat at the table?”
“Yeah, yeah, I do.” Harlow was more than happy with the company. She didn’t want her friend eating on her own. It didn’t seem right. “Do you want me to take your bowl?”
“I’ve got it.”
Harlow left the bedroom, walked to the counter, and grabbed her food, along with her set of chopsticks and a spoon.
Hailey was already taking a seat at the table, when Harlow came to join her. Neither of them spoke for several minutes as they just ate their food. Harlow kept looking up to make sure Hailey was eating.
She already looked like she had lost weight. Harlow didn’t like it and felt responsible for the weight loss. If it hadn’t been for who she was, being Big Dick’s little sister, they would have left Hailey alone.
“How are you?” Harlow asked.
“I’m fine.”
“You know, when people hide in their rooms for days at a time and don’t come out, and don’t seem to eat, that’s not fine.”
Hailey sighed. “I’m dealing.”
“By locking yourself in your bedroom.”
“It’s the easiest thing to do. My bedroom makes me happy. It is my happy place.”
“And not your shop?” Harlow asked.
Hailey looked up. “My shop is what has caused me so much trouble. It’s why your … boyfriend—”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“It’s why your not-boyfriend didn’t trust me. Your brother also had his doubts.”
“Actually, it had nothing to do with your shop and everything to do with me. I was the reason it all happened.” Harlow winced. “Are you going to fire me?”
“No, I’m not going to fire you.” Hailey said.
“Do you want me to move out?” Harlow asked. She didn’t want to move out. She loved living in this house, and it was so much better than her old apartment. Hailey had been there for her.
“No, I don’t want you to move out.”
“How can I help you?” Harlow asked. “I don’t know how you felt about Kinky. I don’t know anything other than what I saw, and I don’t want you to be hurt. You’re one of my best friends, tell me how to fix you, how to fix this. Please.”
She hated to think of her best friend suffering in any way.
“You’re doing everything. Making me eat soup and just being here.”
Harlow knew it wasn’t enough. Hailey had it well within her right to get rid of her, not that she wanted that. She loved living with Hailey.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.
“No, I don’t.”
****
“Don’t you have anything more important to do?” Harlow asked.
“No. I like being here.”
Harlow wrinkled her nose and turned back to her recent order. Hunter knew he was getting under her skin, but he liked spending time with her. He much preferred watching her in the summer when she wore the dresses that seemed to mold to every single curve and make him ache. The jeans were not helping much, nor the fitted sweater. He thought those kinds of things were meant to be baggy, not fitted. He didn’t need for her hips to be enhanced or her tits, which were nice and large. He missed sucking on those tits.
“There’s no way you like being here.”
“And why is that?” he asked.
“You’re surrounded by cosmetics.”
“Rather sexist of you.”
Harlow glared. “Hailey is going to come back into work, and you are going to have to leave.”
“Why, there are three chairs here. I think I can sit in one while she works on a client.”
“Why are you doing this?” Harlow asked.
“I told you, I’m hanging out with you and proving that I want to be with you.” He found the whole cosmetics thing crappy. He didn’t enjoy it. He much preferred it when she worked at the bakery. At least he got sweet treats for his patience. Everything here was boring. He didn’t like a single thing, nor did he see the point. He did notice that other women liked it. Harlow had served several customers and the happiness in their eyes was clear to see. He would never see the draw of makeup.
Hunter would keep coming to this place because he knew it was where Harlow was. He wanted to be wherever she was. Also, Big Dick asked him to keep an eye on her. He didn’t need her brother to ask that of him.