Page 126 of The Woman Left Behind

“Beer’s good,” Harry said.

“Want me to warm you up some tetrazzini?” Lillian offered.

He looked down at her. “Are you eating?”

“I was thinking of diving into the beef enchilada casserole,” Lillian said.

“Alfredo gnocchi,” Sherise put in her vote, even still stuffing her face with the tetrazzini.

“We’re freezing Lillian and Harry’s casseroles,” Ronetta decreed. “I already told you I’m making my fried fish and cornbread tonight.” She looked to Harry. “I made my banana pudding for you, Harry. Something healthy.”

Harry couldn’t stop his chuckle, because bananas were a power food, but not sandwiched between layers of pudding, whipped cream and Nilla Wafers.

“Can we talk outside?” Shane asked him.

Sherise rolled her eyes at Lillian.

Lillian smiled.

Ronetta topped up her wine.

“Sure,” Harry said.

Since he was closer, Harry led the way.

Though, Shane walked all the way to the garden gate with Harry following before he stopped.

“I’m sure you get what I wanna talk about,” Shane announced.

“Yeah,” Harry said. “And there are three different law enforcement agencies?—”

“No, man,” Shane cut him off irritably. “You’re living with Lillian and you two have been dating for only a week?”

Ah.

“No, I’m not living with Lillian. I’m staying with her. At her request,” Harry corrected.

“And you two have been dating for only a week?” Shane reiterated.

“She loves you. So I’m going to try to be respectful when I say, Lillian’s a grown woman, this is her choice, this is what we decided as a couple, and this is what’s happening. I appreciate your concern, and I can assure you, I’m very aware our relationship is new. It might not make sense to you with how you’re seeing it, but we’re juggling getting to know each other with what’s going on with Lillian, and I’m taking it as slow as I can considering the circumstances.”

“Not slow enough, since you describe the two of you as a couple.”

“Well, we are, and I’ll let Lillian explain that to you if she wants.”

“She has family right next door.”

“She wants me right by her side.”

Shane’s handsome features pinched. “And that sure works for you.”

“Listen, Shane, this isn’t really your business?—”

That made Shane’s eyes flash. “The fuck?”

Definitely Lillian’s big older brother.

“But I’m going to tell you anyway,” Harry kept on like Shane hadn’t interrupted, “because if I had a sister, I’d be like you. I’m here. My dogs are here. I’m where she needs me. But we haven’t made love yet because I’m also very aware of her emotions right now, and I’m seeing to those.”

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