Page 22 of Hidden Truths

I watch the two of them work in tandem, like they’ve been doing it for years. Neither of them seems to remember I’m even here, so I take Cora with me to play until dinner is done.

Hours later, when the dishes are clean and Cora is asleep, I can still feel the warmth of Harlow’s palm on my skin.

“What are you watching?” I ask, making Harlow jump. I laugh. She’s really easy to startle, and I’ve been doing it at every opportunity. If only to hear the cute noise she makes.

I take the seat directly next to her and steal some of her popcorn.

“Hey! Get your own!” she complains, hugging the giant bowl to her chest and trying to move it out of my reach. I just laugh and steal some more. “Cal!”

“I love when you yell my name, Firecracker,” I tease. Her face turns that shade of pink that I’m becoming so fond of. “Why didn’t you tell me that we’ve met before?”

“Honestly?” she asks.

“Always.”

“I didn’t think it mattered or that you would remember. It wasn’t exactly memorable. Especially considering the events of the rest of the night.”

I grab another handful of popcorn and think it over. “Yeah, you’re right. But you imprinted yourself in my brain in a way few others have been able to.”

She snorts. “It’s because I insulted you, isn’t it?”

I laugh loudly. “You might be onto something with that.”

“Did you come in here to steal my popcorn?” she huffs as I steal more of it.

“No. I came in here to watch tv with you,” I admit. “But I have to tell you, this show looks strange.”

Harlow laughs, and it’s the best kind of song. “It’s a reality show,” she says, and I groan. “I know I know. It’s so addicting, though.”

“Explain it to me,” I say around a mouthful of popcorn.

She glares at me and sighs. “It’s called Senseless Love.”

“Harsh.”

Harlow laughs again, and I smile, watching the joy on her face. “They pair people up that are missing a sense.”

“Like common sense?” I ask, knowing I’ll get a glare and laughing when I’m rewarded with one.

“Like touch, taste, smell, sight, or hearing.”

“Okay,” I say, seeing the appeal. “So explain these two.”

“The woman, her name is Hailey. She’s been nose blind since she was a child. The man, his name is Jordan. He has all his senses, but he has a medical condition that gives him horrible halitosis.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “So she can’t smell his breath? That’s actually genius.”

“Exactly! Last season there was a deaf woman that was paired with a man who thought he could sing opera. Spoiler, he could not.”

I’m laughing again. I laugh more with this woman than I do with anyone else. She brings out something in me that’s been dormant for years.

“How many seasons are there?” I ask.

“Four,” she answers, eyes squinting like she’s trying to figure out a puzzle.

“What?”

“You’re going to want to watch this with me now, aren’t you?” she grumbles.

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