Page 58 of Butter My Biscuit

“Okay. Are your lips swollen? From Landon?”

I cover my mouth. “Are they?”

“Knowing her, she already has a new boyfriend lined up,” Harrison says, and my heart rate upticks.

“Oh, who is he? A local?”

“There isno one. Single-girl era,remember? This is how rumors get started.”

Haley gives me a look, and I go back to my pasta. We fall into silence, watching TV, but I’m not listening to anything. My eyes blur over as I stare at the corner of the television, completely lost in my thoughts. The only thing that brings me back is Harrison placing his hand on my back.

“Want some more?”

I shake my head, looking up at him as he stands.

“I’ve got it,” I tell him, standing, too, taking the plates from his hands. “You cooked. Least I can do.”

“Okay,” he says.

I walk past Haley into the kitchen, needing the escape from being so close to him. Not knowing what I’m feeling inside, wishing I knew if this was a mistake. It didn’t feel like one, but it usually doesn’t at first. It usually takes time for me to get in my head and mess up things.

“Has Hayden been as annoyingly in love lately? Because Kinsley has been intolerable.” Harrison makes small talk about her older brother who’s dating his sister.

Hayden was Kinsley’s high school sweetheart, the man she pretended didn’t exist for years. Then he returned to town earlier this year. After a lot of drama, the two of them decided to work it out. Now, they’re official again.

“Oh, grossly so. I told him I’m gonna start walking into the back room with a bucket of water in my hand because if I catch them on that couch in the bookstore one more time …” She laughs. “I have a secret to tell you that you can’t fuck up.”

“Okay,” Harrison says, and I listen.

“My brother is planning to propose at the party on New Year’s Eve. So, everyone kinda needs to be at the bed-and-breakfast.” Haley turns and looks at me. “You’re going, right?”

I smile. “We wouldn’t miss that for anything. And thanks for the heads-up.”

“Oh man, she’s gonna be so excited.” Harrison smiles. “But, now, I gotta tellyoua secret.”

“Yeah?” Haley looks uneasy.

“My brothers and I will now have to threaten Hayden’s life before he slides a ring on my sister’s finger. The good old-fashioned Valentine way.”

She bursts into laughter. “Please tell me it’ll be recorded.”

Harrison shoots her a wink.

Haley turns to me. “You know, I was having a shitty day, and you two helped. A lot.” Then, she stands. “I guess I should get going. Thanks for dinner. Was incredible.”

“You’re welcome to come over anytime,” I tell her, meaning it.

I dry my hands and walk her to the door. She gives me a wave and walks to her car. Once she drives away, I close the door, learning to sit in the awkwardness.

“Breaking up must be in the water or something,” I say as I put the dishes in the dishwasher and place food in containers.

“About what happened …” he says.

And I know he’s talking about before Haley showed up.

“Yeah, we probably shouldn’t do that.”

He pauses for a moment, studying me. “You’re right.”

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