Our eyes met, and I noticed the concern etched across his face. I wasn’t used to seeing him look at me like that.
“I’m not upset,” I conceded. “It’s just...”
“Just what?” He leaned against the wall and ditched the almost-full beer he was holding on the table behind him.
“I don’t get you,” I admitted.
His mouth parted slightly and he shook his head. “I mean, I’m not exactly an easy person to get. But I opened up to you back there at the?—”
“I know,” I added quickly, not wanting him to feel that everything he’d shared with me had fallen flat. “I appreciate all that. It’s just with me... you’ve been so protective this whole time. You insist on coming along everywhere I go, even though I’m perfectly capable of handling myself and you clearly didn’t want to.”
“I was never going to let you go alone.”
“But I could have, and I would have been fine.”
He scowled. “I don’t care. It wasn’t happening.”
I let out a huff of frustration. “Regardless. You act like I’m this burden that you have to keep track of. And then you just referred to me your ‘responsibility.’ Like I’m some kid you’re stuck babysitting.” I was sick of pretending like he hadn’t hurt my feelings. The packed crowd and charged atmosphere had me feeling braver than I really was, which is why I said what came next. “And you keep acting like someone mistaking me for your girlfriend is the most offensive thing possible.”
“It’s not that at all,” he said, flustered. He raked a hand through his hair and leaned in closer to me so he wouldn’t have to yell as loud over the music. “Is this about Nigel? Because I drove him off?”
“It’s not about Nigel, God, he’s basically a child.” I shuddered at the thought. “It’s the fact that you act like the very idea of us together disgusts you. Doesn’t exactly make me feel great, Harrison.”
My cheeks burned hot.
He held my gaze for a moment, a sigh escaping his lips. “The thought doesn’t disgust me. Have you seen yourself?”
A surge of something stirred inside me at that, but I pushed it aside.
“Yes, I have. And I’m clearly the last woman on the planet you would consider dating. But that still doesn’t mean you haveto act like the idea repulses you. Do I wear too much color for your taste? Does my optimism nauseate you?”
“Stop it.” Harrison shocked me by grabbing my upper arms and holding me in place, then he lowered his face so it hovered only a few inches away from mine. Acting purely on instinct, I licked my lips, and I swore I saw something like hunger flash in his eyes. His throat tensed as he gulped and shook his head, breaking himself from the temporary daze.
“You’re right, you’re not my usual type. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t incredible in your own right. I’m sorry I’ve been a dick to you in the past. I know I have, but that’s just how I am.” He let go of me and locked his fingers behind his head, obviously flustered. “And I didn’t mean to act like the idea disgusted me. If anything, I’m just sick of talking to those guys and repeating myself. I’m sorry it came off like that, okay?”
Suddenly, I felt stupid. Very, very stupid.
“Shit,” I groaned, tipping my head back. “I never should have brought this up. This has nothing to do with you.”
“Seems like it does,” he said, the corner of his lip twitched.
“No, no, no.” I hid my face with one hand and waved my other between us. “This is all me spiraling and projecting my own insecurities.”
I massaged my forehead, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with all those dates you’re always going on, would it?” Harrison asked gently. Even through the pounding music, all I could focus on was him.
“Nope. Please forget I said anything. My little outburst was already humiliating enough.”
“Come on. You can talk to me.”
At that, I removed my hand from my face so I could raise an eyebrow at him.
His eyes glistened and a smirk played on his lips. “What? We’re turning over a new leaf, remember?”
“I just don’t get it,” I said, throwing one of my elbows up on the windowsill and leaning against it. “How do people meet their person? I’m trying so hard, and I’m alone as ever.”
“You’re asking the wrong person.” He shrugged. “I’ve never even tried before.”
