Page 100 of Dying to Meet You

Harrison’s face is a little red as he steps back. “I still appreciate it.”

They both turn as I approach, and Cal breaks into a grin. “Rowan! You still look nineteen.”

“You’re a liar,” I say without breaking stride. “But I’ll take the compliment. Business okay?”

“It’s my busy season! Always strapped for help. Want to pick up a couple shifts this weekend?” He grins.

“I was aterriblewaitress.”

He hugs me, and maybe it’s my imagination, but he smells a little like fried clams. “You kids behave, now. See you tonight, Harry.”

Harrison salutes. “I’ll be there.”

A moment later it’s just the two of us standing there on the sidewalk. Awkwardness sets in immediately. “Okay, well.” I gesture toward the house. “I sent Natalie to the hardware to make you a set of keys.”

“Thank you,” he says. “Not just for the keys, Ro. For everything. I promise I’ll get out of your way as soon as I can. You sure as hell didn’t have to do this.”

No, I did not. Honestly, I’m having a few regrets now that he’s standing here in front of me with solemn eyes. I can’t stop cataloging all the familiar things about him. Like the tilt of his chin as he studies me. The way he stands. The set of his shoulders.

“You’re welcome,” I say stiffly. “Now let me show you the room. It isn’t fancy.”

“Like I care.”

“Where’s all your stuff?” I say as we head up the walk.

“Still in Parkside. Cal and his wife are going to drive over there tomorrow and fetch things for me. I’m not supposed to go anywhere but here and Docksiders. I’m taking every shift he’ll give me, Ro. I’ll stay out of your way.”

Maybe so, but this will be a lot of togetherness I hadn’t counted on. I unlock the door and head inside, Harrison following.

“Wow, cool house,” he says in a soft voice. “When was it built?”

Before I can answer, a black-and-white streak shoots across my feet and winds around Harrison’s ankles.

He makes a soft sound of surprise and squats down. “Hey! Look who’s here!” He lifts his handsome chin to smile at me. “You kept her?”

“Natalie did,” I admit. “She insisted. Our dog needs therapy now, but whatever.”

He gives a startled laugh and strokes the cat’s chin, clicking his tongue. “Who’s a good girl?”

The cat flings herself at his feet, rolling onto her back like a drunk sorority girl at a house party. He scoops her up and rubs her head admiringly, and for a split second I’m jealous of a cat. Then I collect myself and cross the living room toward the old playroom.

“I’m sorry this space isn’t really ready for you, but I didn’t want to get Natalie’s hopes up.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter. I don’t mind camping rough.” He follows me with the cat in his arms.

“You can open up the futon. I’ll find you some bedding. Sorry about the walls. I’d decided to remove the wallpaper and scrape the paint—and then quit halfway through. The silver lining is that I hauled all of Natalie’s old toys out of here first.”

“Is this supposed to be your office?”

“Someday. Now let me give you the rest of the tour.” I step around him, feeling self-conscious. It’s wild being in such close quarters after all this time.

Will I ever get used to this? If Harrison stays out of jail and stays in Natalie’s life, will I ever feel blasé about seeing him?

I move through the living room with him on my heels. “Kitchen. Laundry. That door leads to our ugly old basement. And here’s the half bath.” I point. “You’ll have to venture upstairs to shower. You can use whichever bathroom you want. The one covered in cosmetics is Natalie’s.”

His smile is so familiar that I have to look away. “Let me just grab you some towels.”

Before I get very far, he reaches out and grabs my hand. “Hey.”