Marry Screw Kill(83)

“I’m afraid,” Harlow admits, and it’s the first time she’s mentioned it aloud. I take her hand in mine.

“I’ll be there to help you get settled in. You can have Emma come visit too.” I try to encourage her. I’ll be there every step of the way.

Harlow turns to look at me. “You don’t understand. Going to New York doesn’t scare me. Having you go back without me does. You’ll be around women who have their lives together, educated—everything I’m not.”

I shake my head. Sweet Harlow. She has no idea. “You are everything they’re not. And that’s why I love you.”

Harlow gasps and her eyes grow wide. “You do?”

“Totally.” Harlow springs from her spot and sits on my lap. Her joy and enthusiasm make me smile. She’s such a contrast to the woman I met weeks ago.

“I love you so much, Sin.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “Your love has saved me.”

Harlow moves in to kiss me, when a throat clears in the background. Our therapist. Shit.

I pull away from her embrace and make eye contact with Harlow. “We have an audience, babe.” Once I have Harlow’s attention, I nod my head toward Becca.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Becca.” Harlow moves off my lap in a rush of giggles and scoots beside me again on the couch.

“I was about to leave the room, but I remembered, it’s my office,” Becca says with a laugh and a wink. “I’m thrilled for you two.”

“Thanks.” I put my arm around Harlow’s shoulders and bring her closer to my side. She fits so perfectly tucked away there.

“I don’t want to burst your love bubble, but I would like to talk about when Harlow comes to New York this fall. Where were you planning on living?” Becca asks.

“Sin and I have talked about it. He’s offered to let me live with him.” Harlow waits for Becca’s reply, and I’m curious too.

“You’ve never lived alone before, correct?” Harlow nods. “I think you should. Maybe stay with Sin until you get your bearings, then rent a place for six months, even a year. Find an apartment close to Sin’s, but please, not in the same building,” Becca says with a grin.

“I guess.” Harlow doesn’t sound convinced.

“It’s only a recommendation. We can discuss it later. You don’t need to make a decision today or tomorrow. Just think about it.”

“I will,” Harlow agrees, and Becca brings up a good point. I grew up hard and fast in Manhattan as a child, and Rochester is a world away from Manhattan.

“Harlow, would you mind if I spoke with Sin for a few minutes?” I raise my brows at the unexpected request. I’m fine with it, just surprised.

“Sure, I’ll be in the waiting room.” Harlow rises from the couch and gives me a soft kiss on the lips.

As she turns the doorknob, she glances at me, hesitating. I smile, signaling I’m fine, and she smiles back, but hers fades before she exits.

Once the door clicks, Becca’s lips press together. Gone are her smiles and kind eyes. The atmosphere in the room has transformed. It’s not frigid, more like lukewarm, definitely not as welcoming as when I first sat down.

“During our last visit, Harlow gave me permission to discuss her concerns with you. Though I’m not sure she thought I’d be doing it alone, here we are.” Becca crosses her legs and sets her legal pad down on a side table. “This is off the record, okay?”

“Okay,” I answer back.

“You seem like a nice young man who genuinely cares for Harlow.”

“I more than care for her. I love her,” I interject.

“I understand. But I’m curious. How many other women have you dated?” I watch my ship sink after she asks this question. I’m in trouble.

“Honestly?” I ask, wondering if she really wants to know.

“Please.” Becca taps her fingers on her armrest and I swallow, hard.

“I saw one woman during college. We were more friends, but we were exclusive.” At least, I was. Though, I have no reason to believe Rachel slept around when we were together.

“So, this relationship with Harlow is a first for you.” I wonder if she was an attorney in another life. She’s giving me one hell of a cross-examination.

“Yes,” I answer, and prepare for more.

“I appreciate your honesty. A player tends to hide his ways. Mostly because he doesn’t see them. Some call that narcissism, I call it selfishness. You passed that test.”

“I haven’t been a saint, but I love this woman. There is something different about her. I felt it the first time our eyes met. I didn’t even know she was my uncle’s fiancée at the time.”

“Your uncle, James,” Becca spits out his name, “what he did to this sweet young woman …” She shakes her head in disgust. “I am thankful you rescued her, but I don’t want to have her heart trampled on again.”

Now we are getting to the real reason Harlow left the room. She wants to know my true intentions. “I want to protect her heart from pain. The thought of anything else makes me sick.”

“Any plans to have sex with her before you leave?” Becca brings up the battle I’ve been having. Should we?

“I want to, but only if it’s right for her,” I answer.