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“I don’t like the way he’s treated you and what’s happened because of him,” Ezra interjects.
“I know,” she says softly. “But I can explain, I promise.”
“At the end of the day,” he continues, “I’m happy with whatever you want, Harlow.”
“You mean that? Even if... even if that includes him too?”
She’s avoiding looking at us as she asks, and Ezra grabs her hand as she goes to open the car door, spinning her so she’s backed against it instead. He presses his body against hers, and I wouldn’t be able to hear his words if I wasn’t standing so close.
“That’s your choice to make,” he murmurs, gazing intently in her eyes. “We’re both aware of your feelings for him.”
“Yeah,” she agrees hesitantly.
“Is he down to share?” he asks, dropping his face to lay a kiss on her shoulder, and her lips part slightly as her eyes fly to mine, heat engulfing them. Interesting...
I know Ezra is trying to distract her from her worry, and he’s doing a great job.
“I don’t know,” she says, her voice gone husky. Even with the lust running through her, her eyes still carry worry when they look at me.
“Let’s go home.” He moves her to the side, opens the door for her, and guides her in.
It’s been a long day, physically and emotionally, and Harlow falls asleep in the car on the way home. I carry her in and settle her on the sofa, letting her sleep a bit longer until we plan to eat.
An hour or so later, there’s a soft knock on the door, and she still doesn’t stir.
Ezra goes to answer the door, then returns with Nico behind him.
“Hey, man,” I say easily, as he takes the armchair to the side.
“Hey,” he says, exhaustion lacing his voice.
“Beer?” Ezra asks us both, and we nod before he heads into the kitchen.
Nico’s eyes latch on to Harlow dozing on the sofa, and I swear he doesn’t take his eyes off her once. Ezra returns with three beers and passes them around, then we all sit in heavy silence. The TV is on with the volume low, but I can’t focus. I need to clear the air between us as much as possible, even if it’s just for Harlow’s sake.
“She’s not going anywhere,” I tell him, and he finally moves his gaze from her over to me.
“I wouldn’t blame her if she did.” His eyes flick back to her for a second, but he shifts slightly to face me again. “Are we good?”
“Why wouldn’t we be?” I reply, even if it’s just to make him spell it out.
“I know I fucked up with you too. I lied to you just as much as I did to Harlow. I’d like to think that we were friends...”
“We were.”
“And now?”
“It’s complicated,” I admit, “but I’m never gonna be able to deny Harlow anything; that I can say for certain. So, if she wants you around, that’s fine with me.” I shrug. It’s really that simple—what Harlow wants, I’ll try to give her.
“...if she wants me around in what way?” Nico asks.
“I think you know the answer to that.”
“I hope I do. And you’re okay with that? Both of you?” he asks, looking to Ezra, who’s been uncharacteristically quiet during this chat.
“As long as we have no issues between us,” Ezra replies, almost challengingly.
“Well, I already hated you for stealing Harlow’s focus,” Nico offers lightly, and Ezra’s mouth stretches into a grin.
