AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grab my purse and my long coat, glad we’re nearing the end of February. I’m wearing knee-length black leather boots today, so I don’t change shoes.
I head out to meet Claire at a local sandwich bar. I wish we would’ve come during lunch hour to avoid the awkwardness that will ensue.
“Hi, Gemma!” She waves at me.
“Hey.” I sit across from her, holding the menu.
She’s pretty, with red, spitfire hair, as opposed to my dark-amber hair. But her beauty is nothing compared to her outlook on her life. She’s a happy, positive person. She smiles and she laughs, and as much as I want to, I can’t bring myself to hate her.
The waiter comes and takes our orders, and a part of me wonders why I’m here.
“Thanks for agreeing to see me.” She rubs her fingertips.
“Yeah, well ...” I don’t even know what to say. What do I want her to know? To stay away from Harvey in any intimate capacity? “We had to meet at some point.”
She nods, tightening her ponytail. “I just wanted to say that I should’ve handled this better. As Harvey’s nurse and PT assistant, I completely failed my duty.”
She goes on and on about breaking the code of ethics while I tune her out.
If people find out Damon and I slept together, would they question his ability to best lead the company? I never once doubted Claire’s skills.
“WhateverfeelingsI have for Harvey will not jeopardize my job in any way, but I will keep things professional from now on.”
I want to tell her to shut up, to lose the rehearsed speech. I want to feel bad for her, because at the end of the day, isn’t that what I told myself too? That I’d give Harvey a second chance? Stay away from Damon in any unprofessional manner?
Though the minute I shared space with Damon, my promise to Harvey subconsciously flew out the window.
Claire might truly believe she’ll push away Harvey or any feelings she has for him. She might. She might not. But she won’t know until she’s back at our house again and all alone with him.
“Look, Claire . . .”
I wish I could say that I don’t fault her for anything, but that’d be a small lie. While Harvey and I were lost as a couple, when she came into his life, she came in blazing.
There’s jealousy running through the blood in my veins, intoxicating my thoughts.
“I hope you don’t hate me. I’m sorry I was out of line.”
Is that how Damon’s ex would feel about me if she knew we slept together?
“I don’t hate you,” I say as our waiter sets our plates on the table. We thank him, and I dig into my chicken Caesar salad, gathering my thoughts.
Weeks ago, I was angry at Claire for butting into my relationship, but now I can’t help thinking about my future.
“I guess I’m just wondering ... I mean, Harvey doesn’t physicallyneedsomeone with him daily. His parents knew this when they hired you. It was more to have someone spend time with him and focus him on his physical therapy.”
She nods, yet despair flashes through her eyes. She didn’t expect me to cut down her hours today. Whether she’s worried about money or her relationship with Harv, I’ll never know.
It’s not my place to ask.
“Does Harvey know?”
I take another bite of my lunch, shaking my head. “I’ll talk to him about it.”
“I know ... I know he manages well on his own, but he’s also doing really well with therapy because of my help. And, well, I think he must get lonely sometimes.”
She struck a chord, playing my heart like a violin. Using the guilt card.
Because I know Harvey’s progressing better with her by his side—Iknow.I witnessed the improvement with my own eyes when I saw him walking to his closet one recent morning.
