Page 14 of A Forbidden Spring
The promise of walking into an empty apartment now that my cousin is basically living with his boyfriend holds zero appeal. And that alone is enough for me to head into downtown Wintervale and into the parking lot of the Range Bar and Grill.
There’s no one here I can talk to about this, but hopefully I’ll find some sort of reprieve along with everyone else.
My phone vibrates in my purse, pulling me from my thoughts as I wrestle my gloves off to look at it.
MERRICK: What the fuck is her problem?
WREN: Whose?
MERRICK: Don’t do that
WREN: I still quit
MERRICK: No
WREN: You can’t say no
MERRICK: Please.
My breath catchesas I stare at that one singular word.
Please.
WREN: I’ll think about it.
MERRICK: I sent her out as soon as she walked in my office
WREN: Why are you telling me?
MERRICK: Because I’m serious, Hellcat, if I break every one of my rules—it won’t be with her.
Oh my God.
What do I even say to that?
Swallowing hard, I shove my phone into the pocket of my coat and step out of my car. I can already hear music playing as I walk to the door and pull it open, entering the rustic and classically cozy building. I can already feel myself relaxing as I scan the bar, my eyes widening when I find Harlan sitting at a table by himself.
Looking up, he gives me a little wave, and I take it as an invitation, ordering myself a beer when I get to the table.
“Is Reid running late?”
Harlan nods. “Yeah.” He grips his glass tighter, obviously uncomfortable with being here alone.
Thanking the waitress as she sets my drink in front of me, I take a sip, and resolved, I start talking.
“I want to fuck my boss,” I blurt out, somehow relieved to not be the only one who knows. Harlan chokes on his beer, beating his fist against his chest as he blinks at me.
“What?”
“I needed to tell someone and you’re here. And God, I love my family, but I really don’t want to talk to them about it.”
“And I’m the obvious choice?”
“Mm-hmm. Like a happy coincidence. You don’t care who I do or don’t sleep with, and you know what? I already feel so much better.”
“You’re welcome,” he deadpans.
“Can we keep this between us?” I ask and he nods.
