Page 26 of Frozen Flames

“Yeah, I was with Harvey.”

I don’t elaborate, but my mom’s eyebrows raise and her lips thin. I can tell already that she doesn’t agree, yet knowing her, she won’t judge my choices.

“Is he old?” my sister asks.

“No, we’re close in age.”

“Oh,” she says. “Color me curious. Is he cute?”

I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. “Well, yes.”

“Ohhhh, I see. Well, thanks for the cookies.”

When she leaves us to do God knows what, my mom pauses her book club video on YouTube and angles her body toward me.

“You seem a little different lately.”

“Do I?” I bite my inner cheek, looking for the perfect cookie to grab from the bag.

“Claire…”

“Yes, Mom?”

“I thought you said he has a girlfriend.”

I nod, wiping crumbs from my lips once I’ve had a taste. “Indeed he does.” I shrug. “There’s nothing going on between us.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing. A lot of people could end up getting hurt, along with your career.”

I nod, her words causing a wave of worries inside me.

I mean, I know that this is what I signed up for, but that was before I got to know him a little more as I spent my days with him.

I like Harvey. At the very least, I can admit that.

So perhaps I have a crush on him, a little one, so what? It’s not the end of the world. It’s not as if I’m going toacton it.

I wouldn’t do that to Gemma nor myself.

I would never turn into my dad.

I understand where my mom is coming from, and her fears. But I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and I know what I’m doing.

“He’s my patient. That’s all there is to it.” I don’t know if I’m lying to her or to myself.

“If you say so,” she says, tapping my arm with her hand, shooting me a dubious glance.

Harv.

The nickname puts a smile on my face, and my mom catches the brief gesture.

It’s not like I should feel special. I’m sure everyone, including Gemma, calls him by that name. But the fact that he wantsmeto do so as well…

At the very least, perhaps we can be friends.

My mom continues her video, and I’m grateful. I stuff one last cookie in my mouth while I reminisce on my night with him.

Harvey

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