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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Nico
“You’re in a bad mood today,” Fleur very unhelpfully comments at my obvious sour mood. I shrug, because I know whatever I say will be reported back to Harlow, so I can’t exactly sulk out loud about how she’s found someone else.Fuck.I can’t believe it. Well, I can—it’s Harlow, it was going to happen eventually—but I’m gutted. I can’t believe I’m too late. I should’ve told her. But no, I shouldn’t have. What I’m doing is right. And maybe her and Ezra won’t last anyway. It was just a date. Her first date.
“I guess this isn’t a great time to ask, then, but do you mind if I shoot off?” She looks apologetic, but it’s fine. We cover for each other all the time, and it’s quiet now that we’re so close to the end of opening hours.
“No, of course not.”
I carry on clearing up and am changing over the dishwasher in the back when the bell rings, signaling a customer. Heading out, I’m expecting a late commuter, but Harlow is making her way to the counter, looking around the empty shop. She looks phenomenal, and even though the clothes she normally wears are formfitting, the gym kit she’s got on now is like a second skin.
“Hey. Is Fleur not here?” she asks.
“No, she shot off early. We’ve been quiet.”
“Oh, okay. Just a coffee then, please.”
“On the way?” I ask, gesturing to the bag she’s holding.
“Just finished, hence the sweaty mess.” That couldn’t be further from the truth, and suddenly, I don’t want to go back to my apartment alone. Even if I can’t have her like that, I still want to be around her. I always have.
“Want a study session?” Her eyebrows rise at my sudden offer.
“Yeah, I would love that. Let me help you close up, then.”
We work in companionable silence while we shut up shop, and I make us both a drink to take with us. I have enough notes with me to produce a session as I had class earlier, and Harlow wants to shower, so we decide to hold it at her place.
I’ve never actually been inside before, but it’s cozy and inviting. I set up on the island while she has a shower. Hearing it and knowing she’s one door away, naked and dripping, is the worst form of torture. She finally ends my torment and joins me in a tank and sweats, damp hair in a messy bun, and I’m stunned again by how naturally gorgeous she is. Those big blue eyes, fluttery eyelashes, and pouty lips—I know she hates the Barbie reference, but she is the epitome of a model doll.
Just as we’re getting started, there’s a short, sharp knock on the door, and it swings open before Harlow can stand. Ezra blows out a breath as his eyes land on her.
“What?” she asks, startled at his relief.
“I was checking you got home okay. You’re not answering your phone.” He comes to stand beside me with his phone in his hand. I don’t mean to look, but the screen pulls my attention. It’s got what looks like a weird game of Pac-Man on it.
“It’s in my gym bag, still on silent,” she explains. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. The Guards are out nearby, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t out there still.”
“What do you mean ‘out’?” I ask, and he pulls his phone closer to his chest when he realizes I can see. “How do you know that?”
“It’s all over social media. They’ve already beaten the living shit out of two random guys.”
“What? It’s not even dark.”
“I know. They’re getting more brazen.”
“They never come here, though.”
“They’re not. They’re over by Springhill, but who knows where they’ll end up.”
“What? That’s by you!” Harlow declares, spinning her focus to me.
“Yeah. Hopefully they’ll move on soon.”
Ezra glances down at his phone, and his mouth tightens, but he doesn’t say anything as he gives me a doubtful look. “Hopefully.” What is on that thing?
“Wait, Sawyer’s out still,” Harlow says in a panic, rifling through her gym bag.
