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“And your dad’s around sometimes, yeah?”
I take another swig of beer, appreciating the hoppy taste. “Yeah. He pops his head in on occasion.”
It’s Dad’s arrival about four times a year that keeps me from updating the store and adding online shopping to our business model. Even though he’s only there occasionally, he still maintains the controlling interest of the company unless and until he decides to completely retire. So far, he’s been keeping one foot in and one foot out. It would be so much easier to save the company if Dad would just completely retire. Only then would his voice and opinion not matter.
I think our father is where Landon gets the more irritating parts of his personality.
“Then what’s really on your mind, Harrison?” I jerk my head up at this unforeseen subject change. “I know it can’t be about your store or Landon. We’ve gone through those topics thoroughly. So, what’s your deal?”
That’s the problem with Sam. He can be too perceptive. But, whatever.
“It’s Trina,” I admit, staring at the light orange-brown beverage fizzing away in my glass. “Did you know that she has a boyfriend?”
Sam’s perplexed look matches my feelings on the matter all too well. “Since when?”
“Since today, as far as I know. She’s cooking dinner for him probably as we speak.”
My buddy’s eyebrows are furrowed. “If I’m being honest, I kind of thoughtyoumight have a thing for her.”
“Well,” I set my beer down and take a bite of potato. “What if you’re correct?”
“Wow.” Sam sits back in his seat. “Hit that one right on the nose. So, who’s this boyfriend? Is he local? Someone we might know?”
“No idea. But I’m dying to find out. I mean, we spend so much time together, and I had no idea.”
“Then how’d you find out?”
“At least this part’s a little funny… Old Ms. McManus tried to set Trina up with her nephew. I overheard them talking.”
Sam starts laughing again. “Madeleine’s a trip. Never saw her as a matchmaker, though. That must have been a shock and a half.”
“Tell me about it. I went to Trina’s shop and her door was open. I didn’t want to intrude so I waited outside and heard it all. I kind of feel like a fool. I was going to ask her out.”
“Wait.” Sam holds up a hand. “You mean to tell me you decided to ask Trina out?”
“Yeah. So?”
“So, that’s significant.”
I nod. There’s no denying it. “Maybe, but I have no idea what to do now.”
“You could tell her how you feel. Stake your claim.”
“What claim?” I ask. Other than friendship, I’ve never actually had one.
“Come on, Harrison. It’s either go after her now or swallow your pride when you get their wedding invitation in the mail.”
I glare at him for that one, the image of that feeling downright cruel. Whatever’s transpiring with this other guy may not become that serious, but what if it does? What if I’ve taken so long to mourn that I’ve missed my opportunity at happiness? Trina and I both have struggled over losing Jane, to be fair. But to have this revelation only for it to be too late?
By the time I meander out of the restaurant, the burden on my heart is heavier than ever. I can’t let this sleeping dog lie. I have to take matters into my own hands.
Five
Trina
I felt a little bad lying about a fake boyfriend, but it got me out of a jam. I hope when it hits the rumor mill it’ll die a quick death. Surely nobody will believe it when they realize they never see me with anyone. At least nobody but Harrison.
And then my thoughts go to him. I hope I haven’t permanently damaged our dynamic by taking some time away from him. When my feelings for him got more intrusive, I couldn’t think of anything else to do. For all this time, he’s been there for me, and I’ve been there for him. Our greatest link has been our closeness to Jane, but recently our talks have centered more around each other than her. I don’t know if we’re each beginning to heal or if he’s somehow instinctually picking up on my feelings for him.
