AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Nine
Evelyn
Clearly, I’ve hit a nerve and good thing I have. It means I’m getting somewhere with him because he’s finally starting to open up and lose his hard edge.
“I know that you used to love this center. I know you haven’t stepped foot in here until I arrived. I know…”
“You’ve been speaking with Josey about me, haven’t you?” He sighs in defeat. Maybe he realizes I’m going to get further with this than he anticipated.
“She’s worried about you. All she wants is to have her uncle back—whoever he was. I’m not trying to pry, Harvey, but I can’t help caring for you, no matter what our future holds. I only want you to be honest with me and yourself. Asher wouldn’t have brought us together if he didn’t think so too.”
“You can’t bring Asher into this. He’s my dog.” He turns to the little guy still snuggled on my lap and jokingly says, “Traitor.” Which has me laughing and letting go of some of the angst.
“You realize, Evelyn, that I should be giving you the same advice? I’ve beentryingto give you advice.” I shrug. The thing is I have been listening to him; I’ve chosen to do nothing about it.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’d say tonight was a raging success,” I state, head held high with a smile that hurts my cheekbones plastered on my face. Harvey’s husky laugh mesmerizes me again. “And that laugh,” I coo. That comment earns me a smile to rival my own and laughter so swoony I melt into the couch.
He surprises me then. “Ask me something else.”
I raise a brow and tap my finger on my chin in thought. “Hmmm, let’s see. Oh, I know. How did you come up with Asher’s name?”
“That’s not what I expected, but okay. I originally found Asher for the center, but he never really took to being a therapy dog. I chose to take him in instead and named him Asher because it means happiness and blessed. I needed something to hold sight of and he came at the right moment.”
“When did you get him?”
“It was not long after my sister’s accident. Actually, I originally got him for Josey, but she’d much rather Tag or the horses.”
I reply under my breath, “Huh,or the horse’s handler.” Then add quickly, “So, Asher’s your therapy dog then?”
He looks puzzled by my question. I can see the cogs turning; the more he thinks about it the more it seems to make sense to him now. “I never thought of it that way.” A littleyapis voiced on my lap with his comment.
“I’d say Asher knew this long before you.” I chuckle. “That’s quite cute.” I pet his little head and droopy ears, but he gets restless and wants down on the floor. Placing him there, I come back to sitting up only to have Harvey in my personal space.
“What about you? Where is your family?”
I haven’t spoken about my parents to many people, but opening up to Harvey comes naturally. I feel comfortable enough to give him the short story; honestly, there isn’t a long version. “They live in the city. My dad’s an investment banker and my mom would say she’s society’s next real housewife. Dad always works, while Mom acts like she cares but rather cares for my career more than me; her only daughter.”
“That must be lonely.”
“It is in a way, but I’ve always put my time and energy into the studio, competitions, or productions.”
“Do you miss it? Dancing?” He has no idea how much.
“More than anything.”
“Will you go back?” And there it is. The question I’ve been avoiding since my accident.
“In theory, yes. I plan to, but the reality of it is a different scenario. It all depends on my recovery and finding another job, I guess; something I will face once my time here is done.”
I can see my answer is affecting Harvey, and he’s trying very hard not to let on. His eyes dart back and forth, silently seeking more, but when I don’t give it to him, he relaxes and nods in silent acceptance.
“Thank you, Evelyn, for opening my eyes again. I’m glad you came into my life even if only as a friend.” He smiles, and I can only mirror it myself.
“I think my friend notion has been blown well out of the water, don’t you?”
“I don’t think so, I know so. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Harvey took me home not long after our breakthrough, and I sayourbecause I finally chose to listen to his advice. Although he’s been quite abrupt with his tactics, they’re exactly the shove I needed. After all, I walked again today!
