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Beaming with pride, my mother nodded as she looked at me. Looking back at Harmony, she said, “Please, call me Jenn.”
Grinning, Harmony said, “Jenn it is.”
“How did you two meet?” Angie asked as she sat back down, and my knees about buckled under me. I hadn’t even thought for two seconds anyone would ask how we’d met.
My head snapped over to Harmony as her smile faltered some before she replaced it with one that didn’t touch her eyes.
Trying to think of something to say, Harmony began talking. “Preston responded to a wreck I was in.” Turning and looking at me, her eyes seemed lost and confused. “He tried to save my son but…”
Harmony’s voice faded off as my mother quickly took control of the situation. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Harmony.”
Turning to my mother, Harmony nodded. “Thank you.”
“Harmony is such a beautiful name. Is that your real name?” Angie asked. If I could have, I would have reached over and kissed my sister.
Letting out a chuckle, Harmony nodded. “Yep. My mother loves the symphony.”
Taking a step back, Harmony looked at me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I saw you and wanted to say hi.” Turning to my mother and sister, Harmony held up her hand and said, “It was a pleasure meeting you both.”
“The pleasure was all ours, dear,” my mother said in such a soothing voice.
Before turning and leaving, Harmony said, “Enjoy your afternoon.”
“See ya around, Harmony,” I said as I looked back down at my plate as I sat down.
Angie gave me a kick and I let out a yell. “Ouch, you little brat!”
“Why are you not going after her?”
Looking at my sister like she’d lost her damn mind, I pulled my head back and stared at her. “Huh?”
Rolling her eyes and letting out a frustrated moan, she said, “Clearly she wants you to go after her, PJ.”
Looking back toward the door, I asked, “Why?”
“Oh my gosh, Mom! He knows nothing about women.”
My mother laughed as she continued to eat. “Angie, eat your lunch and leave your brother alone.”
Dropping her mouth open, Angie looked at me, then back to my mother. “Mom, tell me you didn’t notice the way that girl’s eyes lit up when she talked to PJ.”
Letting out a gruff laugh, I shook my head. “Ha! You’re dreaming, Angie.”
Tilting her head, Angie stared at me as I attempted to eat with her glaring at me.
“Oh. My. Gosh. You like her, Preston, don’t you?”
My sandwich stopped at my mouth. “You called me Preston.”
She let out a laugh. “Yeah, I did. This is serious and calls for using our grown-up names. Preston. Do you have feelings for her?”
Now, that caught my mother’s attention. “Preston?” she asked with concern lacing her voice.
Swallowing hard, I couldn’t find my voice. Finally getting some control of the situation, I said, “No. We’re friends. I mean, she lost her husband in the wreck also and…no…Angie, you’re crazy.” My eyes caught my mother’s and I knew she could see right through me.
“Preston.” My name off my mother’s lips was almost my undoing. I wanted to jump up and shout to the world that I had fallen for Harmony hard and fast. And all it took was spending one day making her laugh and one night holding her in my arms.
“Not now, Mom. Please not now.”
Nodding, she turned to Angie. “Let’s finish up so we can get home.”
Angie smiled. “I’ve gotten a bit of renewed energy!”
Moaning, I rolled my eyes as my mother chuckled.
The rest of the afternoon was spent looking for the perfect pair of shoes for Angie. My mother and Angie talked about designer shoes while I tried not to think of the guy Harmony had been out with.
—
Later, as I was walking my mother and sister up to the house, I leaned over and kissed Angie on the cheek. “Behave, Angie.”
Winking, she gave me a naughty smile and said, “Always!”
My mother turned and gave me a once-over. “The only way you’ll know for sure is to ask her, Preston.”
“Excuse me, ma’am?”
Narrowing her eyes at me, she shook her head. “Preston, I’ve seen that look before. I saw it on your father’s face the first time he saw me on a date with another man. Talk to her and ask her.”
“Nah, Mom, it’s not like that with me and Harmony. We’re just friends.”
Nodding, she said, “Okay, Preston.” Reaching up on her toes, she kissed my cheek. Turning to walk into the house, she looked over her shoulder and said, “Life is too short, darling. You of all people should know that, Preston.”
“What does that mean, Mom?”
Lifting her hand, she gave me a wave and walked into the house.
Pushing my hand through my hair, I let out a sigh. I’ll never understand women.
Ever.
Chapter 13
Holidays Suck
Harmony
Flopping down on the beat-up sofa in the break room, I let out a sigh. The door opened and one of the nurses walked in. Chuck. Just the sight of him made my skin crawl. Closing my eyes, I hoped he would just get what he needed and head right back out.
