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We stare at one another. Neither of us wish to have that conversation with him.
It has to come from him, though I’ve come to realize Harvey needs a little push in the right direction sometimes.
Perhaps we all do.
When we get back home, Henrik stays over. We watch TV together and order pizza later in the evening.
As the night wears on, I close the door and lock it behind Hen while Harvey transfers to his chair. I slide my hands over my shirt, trying to remove the sweat from it as I give myself a mental pep talk to get this over with.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask, knowing he’s ready to go hide in his bedroom.
“Sure.” He nods, and I take a seat on the couch.
“Did Claire tell you?”
“Tell me what?” He sounds genuinely surprised, although I don’t believe for a second that Claire wouldn’t have told him we met up.
“I met with her yesterday for lunch.”
The shock in his eyes tells me he didn’t know. There’s a small mist of fear in them as well.
“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t answer her call yesterday.”
His honesty surprises me, and the news is refreshing to hear.
I recap our meeting for him, and I can feel his relief when I finish. Then I brace myself for impact. “I think it’s time to reduce her hours. I think ... I think you’re more independent than you give yourself credit for.”
“What?” He chuckles. “Whatdid you say?”
Here it goes . . .
“Harvey, she doesn’t need to hang out with you all day.”
“Why do you care if she’s here? Are you going to quit your job, hmm? Stay away from your boss?”
God, my New York work trip next week isnotgoing to fly well with him.
“It’s not the same thing.” I want to say more, but I stop myself, because my case might be worse. I know Harv didn’t sleep with Claire, while I slept with Damon.
“Are you kidding me? Claire stays. End of discussion.”
I get up, ready to walk away from this. He won’t change his mind. I know him.
“Why am I here? Why did you beg me to give you another chance if you can’t let her go?”
He scoffs, tugging on the tips of his blond hair. “I’m doing better with her help.”
“I just asked you to reduce her hours!”
He shakes his head, looking like he’s ready to bawl his eyes out. “Then she might quit. And besides, I’m not okay with that arrangement, not unless you quit your job.”
“You know what, Harvey?” My voice cracks. “I need this job.” I leave to go to my room, but he catches my hand before I manage to.
“Don’t—don’t fight me on this. I needyou.”
My heart is breaking for us. What we need is space from each other. I shouldn’t have to live with the weight of his happiness onmy shoulders. But the guilt is too profound, anchored too deep for me to stop myself from drowning with him.
“Come game with me, please.” He looks like he’s about to crumble. The truth is I think he loves us both. And he doesn’t know who to pick. “Please.”
