Page 28 of The Most Dearest
It was Wednesday afternoon, and I'd take an early day to run a few errands. I needed a refill on my birth control so headed to O'Brien's Pharmacy. No way would I risk going to Howard Pharmacy. I'd successfully avoided Brian since the day I found Emma in our house. The whole saga was embarrassing. I also avoided Walmart. Our town was small, but not so small that you couldn't avoid someone.
I held my phone up to the scanner and heard it beep when it read my prescription code. I was digging through my purse when I caught the flash of a white pharmacy coat.
“Hi, I'm just here to collect—"
Oh fuck. Harrison.
“Hey Cordy,” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”
“Just picking up a prescription. I scanned it.”
“Okay, let's see.” He punched the keys on his computer and frowned, before quickly schooling his face into a more neutral expression. Well, this is awkward. He obviously had a new job.
“It'll be five minutes,” he said before calling over his shoulder to the other pharmacist. “Jonas, can you please fill the Bard prescription?”
Should I sit in the little waiting area? Did he expect me to talk to him?
I shifted my purse on my shoulder and was about to walk away when he spoke.
“So, how have you been?”
“Pretty good. I have two cats. Miranda lives with me. You?”
“I'm okay. I work here now. How is um ... how is Damon?” he said.
“He's great. Work is good and he's helping me redo my house.”
“Great, great. Is Miranda okay? I mean, is she doing ... things? Like, to me?”
I looked at him in disbelief. “What do you mean? Miranda hasn't even thought of you since you left. Is someone else doing things to you? Have you ruined anyone else's life lately?”
He shook his head.
“That's fair. No, but I'm just ... Well, I'm trying to date again but the women I meet spend a bit of time with me and then ghost me. I think Miranda is getting to them.”
This man was delusional. I laughed. I wanted to hold it in because his face was deadly serious, but really?! Miranda wasn't wrong when she said he'd be looking over his shoulder for life. She'd scarred this man deeply.
“No, I think maybe you're putting them off all by yourself, Harrison. Maybe lay off the hygiene and grooming lectures.”
“Right, right.” He nodded like I was giving genuine advice. I guess it was good advice, but really, I was trying to tell him that he was the main saboteur of his romantic life, no one else. If women found him repellant, maybe it was time to look in the mirror instead of in the shadows for a vengeful character from his past.
I also wanted to tell him to lay off the self-tanner. He looked orange. Like a tangerine Ken doll. The more he flailed in the dating world, the more it seemed he took measures to increase his appeal, but those measures were doing him no favors.
“Did you end up—”
“I've got to take this,” I said, picking up my phone, which was very obviously not ringing. I walked away without looking back.
“Yes, sure,” he spluttered, turning to pick up the next ready prescription.
Looks like I would return my business to Howard Pharmacy. Good; I liked Brian. Time to face my fears.
I texted my group chat with Jules and Miranda to let them know about Harrison. Miranda was pleased to know that the legacy of her actions continued to haunt Harrison to this day. She sent a simple image as her response.
Chapter 29: Damon – Property hopscotch
I like this place,
And willingly could waste my time in it.
