Page 94 of A Home for Harmony

Harmony knew that and brushed it off. “That isn’t my problem. I was only doing my job.”

“Some people are just naturals,” Lizzie said. “You were. You are. That is why so many clients requested you. Anyway, I always felt sorry for Danielle. I knew it took a lot for her to ask me to have drinks, but I never wanted to hang out with her outside of work. You’re the only one I became close friends with outside. I’ve learned not to mix the two. It’s too messy.”

“Trust me, I know. Which is why you agreed to let her go with us on New Year’s Eve. I know, you felt bad. She thanked me for letting her come. I didn’t know how to answer.”

“I felt horrible when she asked. I kind of hesitated and she probably noticed it. I couldn’t tell her no even though I wantedto. She was talking about you and how she missed you and always had a good time when she tagged along with us.”

“We all had a good time and that matters,” she said.

“See, always the nice girl. Since I’ve got you on the phone, what’s been going on? Are you getting any more of those emails?”

Lizzie was the only one who knew about it. She hadn’t even wanted to share with her old coworker, but wanted to know if Lizzie ever had that happen to her.

Her friend had. It was just one of those risks when you put yourself out there and it blew over for Lizzie and she was still hoping it would for her too. It’d been pretty quiet lately.

“I’ve gotten a couple, but nothing in a few weeks,” she said. “Nothing horrible but icky at the same time.”

“Nothing threatening?” Lizzie asked.

“No. I think it’s a fan more than anything, but that doesn’t mean I want to encourage the person. I keep blocking them, but they come back. I know they do. They’ve got their own signature.”

“Signature?” Lizzie asked. “They are leaving their name?”

“No. Three emojis. A smile, a hug, and a heart. I didn’t tell you about that?”

“No, you didn’t. Sounds like a kid to me,” Lizzie said. “Immature for sure.”

“You know,” she said, “I thought that too. Like some teenage boy, and it’s harmless. I’m hoping they get the hint and stop, but I never engage.”

“What about that guy you went on a date with months ago? Skyler? Could it be him?”

“No,” she said. “These started before that date.”

“That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been following you all along,” Lizzie said.

“I go back and forth. I don’t see him doing the whole signature thing. He’s been pretty upfront with me and though he still asks me to meet up, I always say no. Why do this behind my back when he has no problem sending me DMs? I’m seeing someone now anyway.”

“You are?” Lizzie said excitedly. “I need to know more. I’ve got five minutes before a meeting. Tell me what you can.”

“His name is Micah. He’s older than me. Not a big fan of my online presence, but he’s gotten better with it.”

She could see more of his acceptance over the weekend when her family talked about her job and what she did.

He’d never asked once what they thought, but absorbed the conversation around him.

She had to admit the meeting went well and her siblings and father really liked Micah.

Her father talked to her the next day and said that Micah was good for her. He was completely the opposite of her but grounded her at the same time. She was still her bubbly self spreading sunshine, but more aware of those around her too.

In her eyes, it might have been one of the best compliments ever.

Her father saw her as an adult, even acting the same as she had most of her life, just a bit more refined.

“Don’t let any man tell you what to do with your career,” Lizzie said. “I’ve been there before and it’s only a recipe for trouble.”

“No,” she said. “He’s never once said anything like that, just that he’s older than me and isn’t a fan of putting himself out there. But he understands it’s about work and not my personal life.”

Lizzie laughed. “I’ve never known anyone who could separate as you do. It’s amazing to me how little people know about your life personally and yet it’s not as if it’s all that hidden. You putjust enough about yourself out there. Your likes and dislikes, pictures and activities. People feel they know you when they don’t.”