Page 161 of The Doctors Will See You Now

“Sounds kinky,” I said, voice steady.

“Gross!” she shouted, but there was a hint of laughter in her voice. “You’re gross!”

“You’re just focusing on our differences, Harlow. You need to focus on our commonalities.”

Her nose wrinkled, and she batted at me with a hand. “Oh, don’t you school me using Kinky Boots.”

“Why?” I argued. “Some good has to come out of seeing it.”

She laughed. “I take it you didn’t like it?”

“I thought it was fine.”

“But…”

I shrugged. “I’m not big on musicals.”

She rolled her eyes before admitting, “Neither am I. Though, I have to admit I didn’t mind this one.”

Both of us looked to our respective parents, and Harlow stood up to make our way over to them. We didn’t even have to say anything. She just fell in step right in front of me as I guided her with a hand at the small of her back.

It was weird how natural it all felt.

When we got to their table and she greeted them, I pulled my hand away from the heat of her shirt and studied my palm. Why is it tingling?

“Isn’t that a great idea, Scott?” my mom asked, pulling my attention away from my hand.

“What’s that?” I asked, obviously having no idea what the topic of conversation was. I was kind of busy studying my sudden ability to conduct electricity.

“I was just asking Bill to be my date tomorrow night…for the party.”

The party…?

Oh. My dad and Linda’s anniversary party.

Ah Jesus. My mother.

“Well…” I looked into my mom’s eyes, expecting to see some sort of game, but there was genuine hope there. She really liked Bill. Hell if I was going to be the one who ruined it.

“I think that’s a great idea,” I finished.

“Maybe Harlow could be your date,” Bill suggested after a nudge from my mother. They’re in this together. I just barely stopped myself from laughing.

“Dad!” Harlow protested. “You can’t just invite us to stuff. There’s probably a head count and menus and all sorts of important details. Plus, Scott probably already has a date.”

Her objection, so detailed and full of conviction as it was, sealed it for me. Now, I had to make her go.

“Oh, no. Trust me, it’ll be fine if you guys come. I was flying solo, but I’d love if you accompanied me, Harlow.”

It was the damnedest thing. I could practically hear the litany of curse words she was running over my name in her head and feel the steam as it poured out of her. It was almost as if Harlow gave me heightened abilities.

I’ve always wanted to be a superhero.

“Perfect!” my mom squealed.

I smiled at Harlow. “It’s a date.”

All it took was a single glance to the wall clock in my kitchen to make my chest tighten. It was already noon, and I’d yet to write a single goddamn word.