Page 38 of Shatter

Before he can step away, though, I press my forehead to his chest and wrap my arms around his waist and just breathe him in. The warm notes of his cologne and laundry detergent are so uniquely him, and I think my body has decided that that smell means we're safe.

His large hand comes to the back of my head, holding me gently against him.

"Say the word, and I'll take you home," he says, and my heart squeezes with gratitude.

I take a fortifying breath in before letting it out slowly through my lips, before I roll my shoulders backwards and stand straighter.

"No. I can do this. I'd make myself miserable if I were alone."

He pauses a beat as if he's second-guessing everything, before nodding once and leading me to a heavy back door. I walk into some sort of backroom that has storage lockers, large laundry totes on wheels, and lockers for the staff.

I follow him through the long hallway with doors on either side. It looks different in the bright light. Not as moody or edgy as it usually is, and I can't find any of the excitement in me from the last time we were here.

Walking into the Green Room, the staff is taking chairs off of tables, cutting up limes, and running over their checklist; I assume that they do before every night opening.

I follow Harrison, suddenly thankful he had the foresight to order some clothes for me. There's a stunning woman behind the bar, tall with fair skin and straight black hair, wearing a black Alice + Olivia dress. I wipe my hands down my own dress, suddenly nervous. Somehow, between sleeping on Harrison's chest, getting dressed, and driving here, it never occurred to me that this would be my first public appearance since the scandal. Harry promised me no one would harass me or bring it up, but I still feel off-kilter.

I don't want to act like Melody Snow. I'm desperate to leave my public persona behind and figure out who I really am inside when I'm not trying to play a role.

"Cass, this is Melody. Melody, Cassidy Klein," Harrison says, motioning a hand toward the woman behind the counter. Jealousy flares hot within my chest as I wonder if this is one of his playthings. But then the name registers. She's the manager here.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Cass says kindly, before her face falls. "I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. How are you holding up? Are you alright?" She reaches across the counter to rest a thin hand on my arm. I want to cringe, to recoil, to cry in frustration, but I gather up my courage. That's not who I am. I'm strong and brave.

Harrison opens his mouth to answer for me, but I shake my head. "I'm absolutely fine. Parker and my relationship was always only for the public. We're just really good friends, and I'm more worried about him than I am about the public's opinion."

Cass raises one perfectly plucked eyebrow in surprise, but it's followed with a warm smile. "Well then. I'm glad to hear it. Can I get you two anything to drink?"

Harrison shakes his head, but honestly, after the day I've had, hell yeah.

Melody Snow drank Aperol spritzes - the fruity, bubbly cocktail - but what does Mel drink? Honestly, I don't know.

My face must display my confusion because Cass's smile turns indulgent.

I look to Harry, but he adamantly refuses to answer for me.

"Um... what... what do you recommend?" I ask, feeling completely out of my element. It's something I'm going to have to get used to, now that I've been given enough freedom to make my own decision and decide who I really want to be.

"White wine is always a good place to start. We have five we keep in stock. Want me to pour you a flight?"

"I'd love that!" I reply brightly, settling onto a stool. "I'm not taking you away from your work, am I? I'm happy to just sit here. Or, even better, put me to work!" I ramble, sliding back off of my stool and standing there awkwardly.

Cass chuckles, and I decide I really like this woman. Her looks are severe and dangerous - like she eats men for breakfast - but she's surprisingly easy to talk to. I feel like she's a lot like Harrison in that department. Intimidating on the outside, but I feel like she'd never judge me for saying or doing something stupid. Having that level of acceptance from one person - Harrison - is such a breath of fresh air, but having it instantly with two people? I feel like I might have won the lottery.

"Drink, first. Once we decide what you like, maybe I'll put you to work." She throws a wink my way, and my smile widens. God, she's so confident in her own skin; I both envy the hell out of her and want to be like her. Maybe she could teach me.

Harrison presses his hand into my lower back before dropping a kiss to my hair. "I have some work to do in my office. Are you good here?"

I nod.

"If you need me, you know where I'll be. Have fun."

I nod again, turning back to Cassidy, who's paused mid-pour to stare at Harry with wide eyes.

He leaves, she shakes herself out of her stupor, and continues to pour, but leans forward. "Okay, tell me everything," she whispers, like Harrison kissing my hair is the world's biggest news.

I can't help how my cheeks heat.

Deciding that I have a friend in Cassidy, I do. I tell her all about how he's been there for me throughout my childhood. I tell her all about the primal night, the Aspen house, and how amazing he was last night. I can't help but gush about him when I talk about how he saved Parker and me like it was nothing.