Page 66 of Suddenly Dating
“I would be grateful for the time I had and probably go to work.”
Lola’s brows sank, and Harry realized how cold that sounded. And it wasn’t really what he was feeling this morning. The truth was that he would be one very unhappy camper. “I mean, what else could I do if Channing Tatum swept you off your feet?”
“Well, then. If Jennifer Lawrence walks in, you too, are free to go.”
Harry laughed. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Lola’s jaw dropped. “You’d saynoto Jennifer Lawrence?”
“Right now, one friend with benefits is enough for me. I’ve got too much going on.”
“Wow. I think maybe I should be flattered that you would choose me over Jennifer Lawrence for your casual, no-strings-attached sex. But I’m not sure,” she said, watching him shrewdly.
“What are you saying?” he asked cautiously. “Is this more than casual for you?”
Lola stiffened. She glanced down at her plate. “I’m not saying that. I’m not exactly looking for any complications right now, you know?”
Harry wanted to believe her. “Lola, I don’t want to—”
He was about to tell her that he didn’t want to set up any false expectations. That he liked her, but he didn’t know where he was with relationships in general. That this had begun as a mutual desire for sex, and maybe it was more, yet wasn’t it too early to tell?—but Lola’s phone rang.
“Sorry, I need to get this,” she said, and she picked it up. “Hey Ben, what’s up?” She listened a moment and then suddenly sat up. “When?” she asked, and pressed her hand to her heart. “Is she okay?”
More information was relayed on the other end, Harry assumed, because Lola hopped up from her seat and went into the kitchen.“Shit,”he heard her say. “I can get the twelve o’clock train—I don’t have a car, Ben. I can’t get there any faster.”
This sounded serious; concerned, Harry got up, too, following her into the kitchen.
“What do you want me to do?” Lola was saying with frustration.
“Where do you need to go?” Harry asked.
She jerked her gaze to him. “Long Island. My mom.”
He said, without hesitation, “I’ll take you.”
“No! You said you have paperwork—A friend,” she said into the phone.
“I don’t have to do anything today,” Harry said. “Let me take you, Lola.”
“Really?” she asked, wincing a little. “It’s a long way.”
“Two hours. You won’t get there any faster by train.”
Lola stared at him, obviously debating his offer. She suddenly said, “Allright, Ben! I hear you—I’ll be there by noon. Let me know if you hear anything.” She clicked off and smiled nervously. “Thank you.”
“What’s going on?” Harry asked.
“She’s sick,” she said, and looked away. “In more ways than one,” she added darkly. “They took her to a hospital this morning.”
“What for?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “Ben was on his way to the hospital and didn’t know for sure, either.”
“Get dressed,” Harry said. “I’ll pick up the table outside. We’ll worry about the kitchen later.” He started putting the many pots and pans into the sink.
“God,” Lola groaned and raked her fingers through her damp hair. “Thank youagain,Harry. Thank you so much. You keep bailing me out.”
“It’s what friends do,” he said, but when he looked up, Lola had already darted to her room.
