Page 72 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

Which is how I spot Harley without even batting an eye.

As usual, she takes my breath away. Donning a loose boho gown with her hair clipped on the back of her head, she looks like she’s just stepped out of Woodstock. She’s standing at the bar, pointing at a bottle of club soda. The bartender smiles and nods. And as she waits, I watch her.

Still she looks so tired. Concerned. Malcolm might be a thorn in my side, but I can’t imagine how it’s been for her to deal with Aileen.

Harley must feel me looking at her. She turns her head, her brown eyes immediately finding mine, almost locking into place.Click.

I don’t move a muscle. She told me to stay away and that’s what I’ll do. Ignore every impulse to run over to her and see how she’s doing. I force a smile.

Harley sadly smiles back.

This is what we deserve for betraying Kent. Doomed to an eternity of wondering what could have happened between us. I’ve done enough daydreaming for a lifetime. I want to know what it’s like for Harley to be mine and vice versa.

Not in this world. Perhaps another.

We haven’t even spoken a word and yet my heart breaks.

The bartender returns with a small bottle of club soda and Harley takes it, cracking it open and swigging it as she turns away, darting through a crowd of people toward the exit.

As she leaves, my body is compelled to follow despite my mind telling me not to. “Harley…” I say softly, not loud enough for anyone to hear me. “Excuse me,” I mutter as I wade through the groups of guests. “Harley!” I call out louder.

She slips through the front door and runs smack into someone else I recognize.

Aileen.

23

HARLEY

“Mom, what the hell are you doing here?” I cry out, dropping the club soda I desperately needed to settle my stomach. The plastic bottle hits the ground, liquid fizzing on the pavement.

My mother’s hands lock around my upper arms as she pulls me close. “I need to talk to you.”

“How did you find me?” I ask, starting to struggle in her grip.

“Your father mentioned you’d be here.”

I can’t believe he’s still entertaining her. Trying to get us girls to give her a chance when it’s become more than apparent she’s here for one reason and it has nothing to do with us. “Let go of me,” I grunt, trying to pull away.

But my mother’s grip is strong. Her fingers dig into my arms. “Come with me. I have a car. We can talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about!” I yelp. “Now letgo!”

As the two of us struggle, a flash of light appears in the corner of my eye. Jesus Christ, someone’s recording this. How embarrassing. The last thing I need is for something like this to end up on the internet.

“I’m your mother, Harley!”

“You don’t–” I wriggle. “Act like it!”

“I’ve apologized! What more could you–”

“Letgo of me!” I shout at the top of my lungs, finally gathering the last bit of strength I can muster to push her away from me. I stumble back and try to catch my breath. But something is wrong. I’m lightheaded and the lights of Hollywood are spinning in my eyes. “Fuck.”

“Harley…”

I feel my mother’s hand on my shoulder.

“Don’ttouchme.”

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