Page 40 of Harrison's Wedding

“Smart.” I’m impressed by her quick thinking.

“We should report him for stalking or something,” Gabriel says, still sounding pissed.

Ariana sighs. “I don’t think there’s any point. As soon as I got back to the office, I told my boss, Charles, about it. He’s handling it, but he doesn’t think we can do anything because there’s no proof of what he was doing. The guy can just say he had no idea and wanted to see houses.”

There’s a tense silence, and I don’t know what to say. The true ramifications of it are starting to sink in, and there is no angle to this in which it isn’t predatory and disgusting. Unfortunately, though, I also understand what her boss said because it’s a simple excuse.

“I want to kill him,” Gabriel says, glaring off into the distance. He looks at Ariana. “How is your boss going to make sure nothing like this happens again?”

Ariana chews her bottom lip and says, “Well, we’re just going to be careful with who my clients are. I’m going to take referrals from people we know are good clients. I am worried that it’s going to look like I’m getting preferential treatment, though.”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re safe, sweetheart,” Gabriel says in a much softer tone before he squeezes her into a tight hug.

Ariana hugs him back for a few seconds before she sighs again, then smiles at me and asks, “Anyway, how did it go today? What’s the guitar like?”

I look at Gabriel quickly before smiling back at Ariana. “It was amazing, and the guitar is better than I ever imagined. Want to see it?”

“Sure.” She nods her head.

I get the guitar out and show it to her. I play some music on it, and she agrees it’s very nice, but it’s not the same kind of reaction that Gabriel had. It’s hard to get across to someone who isn’t as into music as we are about just how brilliant this guitar is. She has a feel of it and makes noises of approval, though, which is appreciated. Then I put it away, and we talk until it’s time for Gabriel to make dinner. He kisses Ariana and heads into the kitchen, leaving us to talk on the sofa.

“Are you excited for Heather’s show?” she asks me.

“Very. I know she’s nervous, but I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant. I’m also excited that she’s going to hopefully be less stressed afterward. She’s been working herself to death ever since she accepted the invitation to show.”

“I can imagine. I’m so happy that she’s chasing her dreams.” Ariana flushes red. “I still have the dress she made for me. I haven’t worn it, because it didn’t feel right, but I have put it on a few times because it’s just so beautiful.”

“You should wear it,” I insist. “Heather would want you to wear it.”

“Would she, though?” Ariana cringes.

I don’t actually know the answer to her question, and I’m struck once again by how bizarre it is that I can’t predict Heather’s reaction to something. On the one hand, I think she wouldn’t, because of her feelings toward Ariana. On the other hand, she feels about design the way I feel about music, and I’d always want someone to enjoy my music, no matter how I felt about them personally.

“Maybe,” I say.

Ariana laughs. “And that’s why I haven’t worn it.”

“Fair enough.”

Gabriel cooks steaks with salad for dinner, and it’s delicious. We eat the meal, then sit and talk for about an hour afterward before I thank them for having me and head home to my empty apartment. I miss Heather and can’t wait to see her on Thursday when I fly to New York.

* * *

I wake earlyon Thursday morning and send a text to Heather first thing, because I’m not sure what she’s up to this morning and I want to catch her before she gets busy.

Hey, angel. I can’t wait to see you.

Her reply comes through quickly, and I frown when I read it.

Me, either. Room 606. Not a moment too soon.

I can read the stress and worry in her short text. It’s making me wish I was there with her.

Everything okay?

Yeah. I just need you.

I need to be there. I quickly tap the button to call her, and she answers quickly.

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