Sal nodded as she chewed the first cut of her salty, garlicky, and buttery steak.
Harmon gave her a long glance after taking a few bites of the duck confit.“Sal,” he said, wiping his mouth with the napkin.“I have a proposition.”
Sal was midway through chewing another mouthful of delicious steak when she noticed the shift in his tone.“I’m listening.”
“I want to forgo everything,” he said, eyes averted.“I no longer want to pursue Autumn Town, the land, or my inheritance.”
Sal swallowed slowly.Was he being serious?Why would he renege now?She had a lot of questions but the only question that came forth was, “Why?”
Harmon seemed surprised at the question.“Aren’t you glad?”he said.
“Why would I be?”she said, brows furrowed.“We’ve spent considerable money, time, not to mention resources, on this wager which we agreed and signed on.”She could feel herself panicking at the thought of Willow’s reaction and Theola’s hard work going down the drain just because of their romance.Not to mention all the artists she signed on who would benefit from her art show.“It’s out of the question to back out of this.”
Harmon bit his lower lip and then clicked his tongue.“I figured you would be elated and say yes.”
Sal set her utensils down.“You don’t think I can do it.You don’t think I can win.”
“That’s not what I said,” he replied, leaning forward.
“But that’s what you’re implying, right?”She tilted her head, her mouth forming a suspicious frown.
“Okay, let’s say I win, and you lose—”
“I won’t lose.”
Harmon paused.“Let’s just say it will go in my favor,” he stated slowly.“What next?You will lose everything.”
“I knew the stakes were high when I agreed to this, Harmon.”
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it.”
“So now you’re developing a conscience?”
Harmon closed his eyes, looking as if he were in pain.“I did not know I would fall in love with you.”
Sal took a breath.“This is all so very romantic, Harmon,” she said, leading the conversation back to where it should be.“But many people are working hard to make our art exhibits happen.”Sal thought of Willow, who followed her to the Philippines; of Theola, who helped build their following; of Rafa, who traveled with the grimoire, leaving his family business in shambles in order to help her.She knew what each of them had given up for this, and for her.If the wager didn’t push through because Harmon fell in love with her, then what?Would she start a relationship with him and forgo Rafa?Willow would have wasted her time, Rafa would have lost a fiancée, and Theola would never see the project she worked so hard on, that would be such a boon for her résumé.If she was to follow her heart and be with Harmon, she would do it without dropping the ball this late in the game.“I will not call off the wager, nor should you,” she said with finality.
“Then would you ever forgive me if I ended up taking everything from you?You’d resent me.”
“I told you, I won’t lose.”
Harmon inhaled sharply.“Then be with me instead,” he pleaded.“That way, win or lose, you’d still have Autumn Town.You’d still have your little cottage overlooking the lake, and your sunrises and sunsets on the porch.I wouldn’t get in the way.We could live there if you wanted; and you could do whatever you want, as long as you’re with me.You and I are so much alike.We’ve never belonged anywhere, so let’s belong to each other.”
Sal paused and pictured herself in the cottage forever.Harmon told a convincing story.But as she peered down at her lap and looked at her hand where her engagement ring once sat, all she could see was Rafa and herself in that small pocket of heaven she called home.She thought of Rafa with his plaid outfits.Rafa, with his handsome smile and dimples.She remembered Kimmy and Hana snoozing with him on the leather sofa during chilly autumn afternoons.Then she thought of Autumn Town and their time together building it, and the idea of supplanting him with anyone else made her heart ache.
She took a deep breath and gave Harmon an apologetic look.“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that to Rafa.But I won’t resent you, Harmon.I know what I got myself into and…” She paused, gathering strength to say the words.“Whether I win or lose, I’ll accept the outcome.But you better believe I will give it my all.So don’t go easy on me.”
Sal noticed several expressions on his face that she couldn’t name, but he then said, “See?You’re a lot braver than you give yourself credit for,” and Sal knew he understood.That’s what she was learning to love about him—he understood; he always did.The rest of their dinner felt light; Sal felt like she was talking to someone she had known her entire life.Harmon had that effect on her; she felt like he understood her deep down with no explanation.
When it was time to pick up the bill, Harmon offered to pay, much to Sal’s protestations, and said confidently as he signed it, “I know you can afford your share, but as long as you’re with me, you don’t have to.”In that way, he and Rafa were alike, both intent on caring for her.It would have been easier if they were complete opposites, but that was not the case.Harmon and Rafa were two different men who loved her in their own way.It wasn’t about who had more money—she could manage on her own—or whom she loved more, because she loved them both.It was a question of what kind of life she was willing to live if she chose a partner.
As the date ended, Harmon walked Sal to her car.They stood facing each other as she reached for an invitation from her bag and offered it to Harmon.“Our exhibit differs from yours, but maybe you’ll come to like it,” she said proudly.
Harmon’s face lit up.“Wow, it’s an art fair exhibition.I haven’t been to one of these since...”
“Since you were a teen?”she said, completing his thought.“We’re used to spearheading art fairs in St.Stephenshire, so we’ll do it again, but Pinoy style.”She explained, “The theme is to dress up in traditional Filipino formal wear for the opening, so I’d get busy looking for a barongif I were you.”
He nodded, looking pleased.
