Page 10 of Hard Hat Hottie

My eyes flick up to meet hers, and I want to comfort her, but I’ve been burned so many times there’s no sense listening to my advice on men.

“Just because Stew is sticking his wick in any wax he can find doesn’t mean that Aaron’s doing the same.” Shay steps in for me. “Sorry, Har.”

Bzzz. Bzzz.

I start to tell Sadie that Shay’s right before the hum of my cell interrupts my focus. Glancing down where it vibrates on the table, I instantly narrow my eyes as Stewart’s name flashes with a message.

That didn’t take long.

11:55 p.m.

Stewart

Harlow, it’s really not what it looks like.

11:59 p.m.

Stewart

She’s not my real cousin, but our families grew up together. So I think of her that way.

12:02 a.m.

Harlow

You said sister. Which is it? Never mind. Don’t care. Please leave me alone or I’ll block your number.

12:05 a.m.

Stewart

Please. I don’t feel anything for her. I just didn’t want to be rude.

My fingers fly across the phone’s screen as I swiftly block his number at his petty excuses. What an asshat. Reaching for my bag, I fling it over my shoulder and decide to make a hasty exit before he finds a way to distract the blonde leech attached to him and confront me in person. “I’m heading out.”

“Nooo.” Sadie frowns. “Was that him? Do I need to go over there and tell him to leave you the fuck alone?”

Sadie cracks me up. If you went to a dog park and saw a group of German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans, Sadie would be the Chihuahua barking her head off at them as if she ruled the pack.

“No, Rocky Balboa, I’ve got this. I just want to go home and have a hot shower and a good cry. I’ll be better tomorrow.”

“No,” Sadie scolds.

“He doesn’t deserve one of your tears, Harlow. Not one,” Shay bursts out.

There was a time I would’ve turned this back on myself. Blamed my appearance or my upbringing. But those days are long gone.

Growing up with a father in the picture only when he gained something from the situation caused me to doubt my worth. Yet my mother taught me well. That behavior was on him. It had nothing to do with us.

And while I’m not rail thin, like a lot of the bikini-clad tourists that we watch parade in and out of Candy Cane Key, I’m happy with my appearance. I have to stay fit for my job with the National Guard. And I take care of myself with regular visits to the salon and the spa. After giving so much of myself to my patients and my children, I’ve found it’s essential for my wellbeing that I indulge in regular self-care. So, any man who isn’t attracted to my curves, colorful ink, and vibrant personality can suck it.

It’s their loss!

“I know. I’m not crying for him. More like the entire male species.” Adjusting my purse on my shoulder, I stand up a little taller. “Because, I’m so done.”

“I’ll head out too and follow you home,” Sadie says. I’ve barely had one full drink. But I appreciate the thought. “You back with us in the ER tomorrow, Shay?”

“Unless they pull me to fill in somewhere else at the last minute.”

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