Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 127715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
The stage was set.
Lillian had to get back to real life.
“I might be with you at the house,” Harry told his father.
His dad burst out laughing.
When it started to wane, Harry stated, “I’m just staying with Lillian due to what’s been happening.”
“You try to leave that girl, go ahead, see what happens,” Greg suggested, sounding like just the thought was hilarious.
“You were right earlier, Dad, she needs space.”
“From me, Caro, people sending her flowers and covering her in casseroles. Not you, boy. Christ.”
“Again, we haven’t even been together a month.”
They’d barely been together two weeks, and only that if he was looking at it like Lillian did, and their first “date” was the first day they met.
“If I’ve told you this once, I’ve told you the story a million times. Yor mother opened the door to me when I picked her up on our first date, she smiled at me, and I knew I was going to marry her. You just know. You knew with Winnie. You know with Lillian. And I’m telling you, son, no matter what’s going on, she isn’t missing she knows it with you.”
“I’m aware. We’ve discussed this,” Harry shared. “But she still needs—”
“You.”
“Dad—”
Greg shook his head. “You do what you gotta do to make it right in that head of yours. Part of me is proud you’ve got such a firm grip on right and wrong. Part of me wonders where we went wrong with how stubborn you are. But you’ll see.”
Harry decided it wasn’t worth the effort to discuss it further.
“Right. We’ll see. So dinner tomorrow night?”
“At the Bon Amie. I’ll make reservations,” Greg decided, then mumbled, “I hope they still have those pork chops.”
“They do,” Harry confirmed.
“Right,” Greg replied. “Say, seven o’clock? Talk to Lillian. Let us know. And if George and Ronetta want to join, they’re welcome.”
Harry nodded.
His dad stood.
And again, Greg didn’t hesitate to hit him with it.
“Love you, boy.”
This was something about his father that always pierced Harry right through the heart.
Greg Moran never let the bullshit ideals of masculinity get in the way of sharing what he was feeling. Josh and Harry always knew they were loved, not only because their father showed it, but because he told them.
He’d noticed Josh did the same with his wife and his kids. His children were young, two and four, but Josh said it, often and with feeling.
And when Harry had people to love, he did too.
“Love you too, Dad,” Harry replied.
That was when Greg treated his son to something else he’d never been stingy with.
A look of unadulterated pride.
And with that, Greg Moran walked out of his boy’s office.
THIRTY-SEVEN
So Harry
Lillian
“This is stupid,” I said nervously into the phone.
“Girl, it is not stupid,” Sherise replied.
I was sitting cross-legged in the middle of my bed, and Harry had texted ten minutes ago saying he’d be home in ten minutes.
The time was nigh for me to abort, if I was going to abort.
Oh Lord.
I totally wanted to abort.
“I think he’s the kind of guy who likes control,” I told Sherise.
“I think he’s the kind of guy who would lasso the moon if you decided you wanted it on a lead, so you need to be very clear to communicate what you want,” Sherise told me, her words making my blood sing and making me forget (for a few seconds) I was in the throes of a panic attack.
It didn’t take long for me to remember my panic attack.
“He’s got a thing about being very clear he’s not taking advantage of me.”
“I love that,” Sherise returned. “Though, I doubt he’ll mind you take advantage of him.”
I was going to say something, but the dogs, who were keeping me company lazing around on the floor by the bed, all shot to their feet, and Smokey let out a low woof.
“Lill?” Harry called, and the dogs raced out of the room.
As for me, my heart started racing for two reasons.
First, it was too late to turn back now.
Second, that was the first time he called me Lill. I loved it when he shortened my name to Lilly, but now I was wondering if I didn’t love Lill more.
“He’s home,” I whispered to Sherise.
“Bye,” Sherise said, then immediately hung up.
God!
“Lilly?” Harry called again, but from closer.
I twisted to put my phone on the nightstand.
I’d just twisted back when I saw Harry, still as a statue, standing in the door, his eyes glued to me.
Dang, he was handsome in his uniform.
“Uh…hey,” I greeted.
For a second, he remained frozen.
Then, right in the door, he bent and pulled off his boots and socks.
He took a step in unbuttoning his cuffs.
Another step, he unbuttoned his shirt at the collar, put his hands behind his neck and pulled it off, badge and pens in the chest pocket and all.
One more step, he was beside the bed and off went his T-shirt.