Page 59 of The Library on Plum Island
“Thank you, Harriet,” Daniella said, sighing in relief.
“Ethan messaged to let me know they were almost in Boston,” Harriet informed them and looked at Harley. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes.” Harley nodded. “I’ll just help Alex take Daniella and Emily’s stuff inside to their rooms.”
“I’ll fill some flasks with coffee,” Harriet told them. “I already have snacks for the road.”
“I’ll help you,” Daniella offered, following Harriet into the house.
“Alex, this is a nice thing you’re doing for my cousin,” Harley told him as he unpacked the bags. “I just hope it’s for the right reasons and you’re not expecting anything in return.”
“I would do anything for Daniella and Emily,” Alex admitted to Harley. “And I’m not doing this expecting anything in return other than their safety and to get that creep in jail.”
Harley hoisted two bags beneath his powerful arms and lifted another two before stopping and staring at Alex as if he were trying to see into Alex’s soul. Alex was starting to feel uncomfortable under Harley’s intense scrutiny. The man had a stare that could kill someone. It was so laser-sharp and foreboding.
“I believe you,” Harley finally said, making Alex sigh in relief. “Which rooms are Emily’s bags going in?”
He felt like he was being interrogated via mental telepathy, with Harley’s eyes, the burning lamps that made the interrogation room so bright—or at least that was how they were shown to be in the movies.
“The peach room,” Alex instructed. “It’s the fourth or fifth door on the left on the second floor.”
Alex grabbed a backpack and a suitcase. That’s all he could manage at the moment with his broken hand. It was probably all he could manage even without a fractured hand, unlike Harley the Incredible Hulk. The man was as strong as an ox, as fast as a striking snake, and could see through you with those laser eyes.
Harley Hulk!Alex snorted as he followed Harley up the stairs to the second floor.
“You’d think in this modern monstrosity of yours, you’d at least have an elevator!” Harley grunted as he lugged the four bags up the stairs.
Harley Hulk. Stairs are his kryptonite.Alex grinned, and an idea for a graphic novel took root. He made a mental note to let his graphic writing novel buddy, Connor, know. Alex frowned. Thinking about Connor made Alex think about Connor’s father, Brad. Since Brad’s wedding, Alex hadn’t seen much of the Danes family, and he missed his best friend and graphic novel writing buddy.
Everyone was pairing off into what appeared to be turning into long-term relationships. Even Harley now had Jennifer. One good thing that came of Brad and Ethan getting attached was that Alex and Harriet had started getting close again. While he loved all his friends equally, Alex and Harriet had always been a little closer than the rest. Maybe because they were always the daredevils out of the bunch and the ones leading the rest into mischief. Alex and Harriet always joked that they were male and female versions of each other and they were so much alike.
Alex’s heart tightened. What he wouldn’t give to go back to those days and warn himself not to be an idiot when it came to Harriet. Alex didn’t believe in having regrets. The things you did were done. You learned from them and moved on, and if something was important, you made sure you prioritized it. Like making sure you spoke to your parents as often as you could, and making sure that they knew you loved them—even if you were having a fight. Even if it was four times a year or just a quickHi, I’m just checking inonce a week or month. You kept in contact with your closest friends.
“Alex?” Harley’s voice snapped him out of his deep thoughts. “Is this the room?”
“Is it peach?” Alex asked.
“It’s a soft or off-pink,” Harley told him. “I don’t know what peach is? The fruit’s orange.”
“Let me see.” Alex hefted the heavy suitcase towards Harley and stuck his head in the room. “Yup. I think this is it.”
“You don’t know what color peach is either, do you?” Harley raised an eyebrow accusingly.
“Fine, it’s an orangy, pinky color.” Alex gestured with his hand. “Wait.”
He walked to the room on the left and opened the door. It was blue.
“What color is that room?” Sarcasm dripped from Harley’s voice. “Unicorn sparkles?”
“Funny.” Alex pulled a face. “It’s the blue room, so this is Harriet’s room, and the one on the other side will be lemon and is where Dawn is staying.”
“Awesome.” Harley lugged the bags into Emily’s new room. “Yeah, this is so Emily.”
“I asked Harriet to get a new mini fridge and latte machine for her room,” Alex told Harley.
“Is Emily going to have her own butler as well?” Harley stacked the bags neatly by the closet. “She’s a sweet kid who had a comfortable life that was ripped away from her. Even then, Emily has always been humble, so don’t turn her into a spoiled brat.”
“Oh, does that mean I have to cancel the Lamborghini and yacht I’ve ordered for her?” Alex retorted.
