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Harlow doesn’t say anything about my proposal. She still has until tomorrow to answer me, so I don’t push. I can’t help but think about how much easier it would be to handle my condition if I knew she was going to be around for at least a year—and maybe for a lifetime.
“So…what do we do now?”
“I’m making arrangements to tweak the groceries coming in. You should eat a lean diet of turkey and other tryptophan-rich foods, beef and anything else rich in B vitamins, salmon, whole grains, blueberries and bananas, all kinds of green and leafy veggies. You need to avoid processed sugar…” She winces. “And caffeine.”
“No coffee?” The rest of the diet sounds fairly normal, but lack of java is a major issue.
“We’ll wean you off, but it would be best if you started your day with a chamomile or green tea.” She looks apologetic, and I have to remember that she’s trying to help, not kill me. “We’ll make sure you get sunlight every day. I want to try starting and ending your day with meditation. You already get exercise. How’s your sleep?”
Without her beside me? “Surprisingly shitty lately.”
“We’ll try some valerian drops or capsules. If you’ve had adequate sleep, then—”
“I’ll sleep better if I have you beside me.”
I don’t mean it to sound like emotional blackmail. She might take my words that way, but I’m simply giving her the truth.
Harlow pauses. Her arms tighten around my neck, and I feel her stiffen. “All right. If that’s what you need, I’ll be there.”
I hold her tighter and bury my face in her neck. No, she can’t help me, but somehow when I’m with her I feel so much more calm and whole.
Guess it’s that love thing.
“Thank you. When do we get started?”
She pulls back and gives me a tremulous smile. But I feel her shaking and I don’t understand.
Her voice is almost too chipper. “No time like the present. Let’s do it.”
After an afternoon of cardio, healthy cooking, and some laughable attempts at guided meditation with a recording of a douchey British guy in my ear, Harlow tosses together a salad while I’m grilling some salmon. It’s quiet. I wish I felt Zen, but neither of us have talked about what happens tonight. She’ll sleep next to me because she agreed to, but it will cost her emotional grit. I don’t understand why. I can practically see her bracing for it. The nice guy in me wants to let her off the hook. The ruthless bastard in me craves her beside me where I can give her so much pleasure she’ll never refuse my proposal.
That probably sounds fucked up. She needs to make her own decision. But I’m getting desperate. I can’t let this woman slip through my fingers.
We’re eating at the bar in the kitchen when Harlow’s phone lights up between us with a text from Maxon.Busy tonight?
I look at her. She shrugs at me. I’d rather spend the evening alone with her, but her older brother sends another message before we can talk.
We’ve got news.
Harlow doesn’t hesitate.Should we meet you somewhere?
We’ll come there. K?
After giving him a quick thumbs-up, she sets her phone aside. She barely nibbles on her dinner.
I lay my hand over hers. “You look worried. He didn’t say anything is wrong.”
“It’s not like Maxon to be spontaneous. This must be big.” She chews her lip. “I’m wondering if it’s Mom and her boyfriend, Marco. Or Dad and his pregnant assistant. Or Evan, the long-lost illegitimate brother. Shouldn’t those test results be back now? This shit is like bad tabloid TV, but it’s my life.” With a frown knitting her brow, she slants a cynical glance my way. “I feel like I was dropped in the middle of Crazy Town. Are you sure you want to marry into this family? Think hard.”
I don’t have to think at all. “Yes.”
She sets her fork down and sends me a serious stare. “Why? Noah, I’m not the sort of girl to fall in love. Not with anyone.”
I know Harlow thinks that, but her heart is too big to be closed off forever. “I heard you.”
“But are you listening? I don’t want to hurt you. I just—”
“Don’t worry about me.” If I have a year, I should be able to coax her into dropping her guard and falling in love.
