Page 60 of Country Contract

Meg: No, just tell me where to fly, and I’ll take care of the rest.

Me: <3

Harrison comes to the small living space and sets our wine glasses down on the coffee table, then retreats to the kitchen and grabs two small plates. They’re messy but cute, holding almonds, salami and cheese rolled up together, and some fresh fruit. Last, he runs back for a box of crackers. I won’t tell him this is practically all I’ve eaten today anyway because it’s the thought that counts for me.

With everything set up, he grabs the throw offthe wingback and tosses it over his shoulder. He sits down but takes a moment to get us settled. I have my glass and plate, my legs are draped over his lap, the throw covers us, and he holds the remote, searching for something to watch.

“Pick your poison,” he tells me.

“Another witch joke after being so sweet.” My tone is saccharine.

“Nah, I say that all the time. Even to B when she’s picking a book.”

I think it’s sweet how tight this family is. I’m closest to Helen out of my sisters, but not like Harrison and Hunter. They get along and enjoy each other’s company enough to be neighbors. Harrison is a permanent fixture in Cassidy and Blake’s life, and they all like it like that. They all rely on each other.

I wonder what Hunter and Cassidy’s wedding was like. I wonder what my wedding will be like.

When Heath and I decide to go through with this, will it be in a courthouse? My mother would die, but I think I would prefer it that way. I don’t foresee a romantic day for the two of us. I’m a little lost in thought when I hear Harrison clear his throat, waiting for my response.

“Umm . . .” I rack my brain trying to think of something I want to watch, but after a day like today and on a night like right now, all I want is a comfort movie.

“How aboutLabyrinth?”

“Like the one with that weird monster with the eyes on its hands?”

I laugh lightly. “No, that’sPan’s Labyrinth. I’m talking about the one with Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie.”

“Never seen it.” He mentioned that he didn’t spend a lot of time watching shows or movies. I guess small towns really do keep things as simple as possible.

He typesLabyrinthinto the search queue and finds the movie I’m talking about. We need to rent it, and I assure him I’ll pay him back. He reads the description, a furrow in his brows.

“How old is this movie?” he asks, and I laugh in response.

“Older than you.”

He doesn’t like that response.

“Is this like sci-fi?” He rents the movie and starts it up for us.

“No no, more fantasy than anything.”

“Romantic fantasy?” He wiggles his brows.

“I guess you could consider it that way.” Jennifer Connelly comes onto the screen, and I’m brought back to my own home, sitting on the couch with Meg, enjoying one of our favorite movies.

I’m so relieved she’s coming to visit. I won’t admit it to her, but I guess I do kind of miss her. We might be opposites, but we get each other. I had never had anyone in my life who wasn’t anything like me but loved every aspect of me, until her. On my best and worst days, she’s there to celebrate or hold me while I cry.

If I marry Heath and it’s loveless, at least I’ll always have the love of my best friend.

We watch the movie, eating our snacks and drinking our wine. When Harrison finishes his food and wine, his hands move to my feet, mindlessly massaging. It feels amazing when he kneads deep into the soles before moving to push and pull the rest of my feet and calves.

David Bowie sings and I hum along, occasionally singing quietly. If Meg were here, we would be screaming these lyrics. Not a tune to carry, but fun. Harrison occasionally looks over to me with a tender smile, especially when Ising. He’s done massaging, but he continues to keep his hands on me.

“What’s your favorite movie?” I ask, and Harrison shifts his eyes from the movie, invested in Ludo and how obviously cute he is.

“ProbablyThe Sandlot,” he answers.

“Do you like baseball?”

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