Mauricio made no other mention of trips to the Caribbean or his feelings for her, which she appreciated. The conversation safely circled familiar topics having to do with day-to-day life and work.
When the bill arrived, Mariella insisted she pay her half. It was nearly eleven by the time they left the restaurant, and there was no way she’d make it to Harrison on time.
As soon as Mauricio dropped her off at home, she went inside her house and waited by the front window for him to pull away. The moment his headlights disappeared, she snatched her car keys and headed to her Volvo.
She now had Harrison’s phone number but was too impatient to send him a text and let him know she was running late. When she reached the pub, the parking lot was packed.
It was May fourth so the town was doing their big salute to Star Wars. Tomorrow, it would be Cinco de Mayo, then Mother’s Day, then International Hummus Day, and whatever other holiday the town festival committee decided they should observe next.
The hotel was almost at maximum capacity, which was great for business, but a lot for their limited staff. Had Harrison already checked in?
She didn’t see him in the parking lot, so she went inside. The pub looked like the Mos Eisley Cantina, Star Wars characters loitering in every corner. The DJ played a Village People remix as C-3PO had a dance off with Chewy center stage.
Someone tugged her arm and she turned, finding Harrison beside her, holding two beers. “Come on.”
He led her through the crowd, to the back of the bar where the pool tables were. Some chick in Princess Leia buns was making out with Darth Vader.
“That’s not right,” Mariella murmured, as Harrison dragged her toward the back exit. Why was Princess Leia always putting off major Flowers in the Attic vibes?
Opening the back door, Harrison waved her outside.
“I’m pretty sure we’re not supposed to take drinks outside.”
He rolled his eyes and tugged her outside anyway. A set of metal stairs climbed up the back of the building and he sat down. “This town’s getting real fucking weird,” he finally said.
She laughed. “Don’t they celebrate The Fourth in the city?”
“Of July, maybe. When the hell did this become a holiday?”
She sat beside him on the metal steps. “People like Star Wars.”
“People are goofy.”
She let out a little wookie cry, and he laughed. She smiled up at him. The moment it finally sank in that he was really there, her boundaries melted away. “I missed you.”
He looked unsure, then blew out sigh of relief. “I missed you, too. I should’ve called.”
“I didn’t expect you to.”
“Ouch. I guess I deserve that.”
“I know how you work, Harrison. It’s fine.” It wasn’t, but what could she do?
He sipped his beer. “So who was that guy?”
“I work with him.”
“Is it serious?”
She looked up at him, debating if she should come clean. “What if I said it is?”
He stared out at the parking lot. “I’d have to accept it.”
She let him stew over the possibility for a moment, then confessed, “He’s only a coworker. But tonight he told me he’d like to be more.”
“And what about you? What do you want?”
Their hands hung between their knees, beer bottles casually dangling.
“It would be nice if I liked someone in the same town and emotionally available for a change, but that’s never been my style.”
“Are you attracted to him?”
“He’s an attractive man.”
He shot her a side glance, and she laughed.
“Not that way. But I do think he’s handsome.”
They were quiet for several minutes. The music from inside the pub rumbling through the brick walls.
Harrison’s head tipped at the machines parked in the distance. “What are they building back there?” Harrison pointed toward the shadowed frame of a bulldozer.
“A winery. Gage King’s building it for Perrin and her sister. It’ll be part of O’Malley’s eventually.”
“Did you end up getting the job at the hotel?”
“I did.” She chuckled. “Shocked the hell out of me. But Gage is hardly ever there, and Perrin has no involvement.”
“I’m staying there.”
Her heart raced at the thought of being so close to him while she was at work. She would also have insider information on his reservation and know exactly when he intended to check out.
She thought of the last time they were in the hotel together and all the things they did in that king sized bed. Then she thought about his childhood bed and the state of his old room.
“How are you dealing with everything since the funeral?” She should have been there. She’d honestly tried, but she couldn’t do it, not without making a spectacle.
“I’m fine.”
“You can talk to me, Harrison. I know you two had a complicated relationship.”
“There’s nothing to say. I’m just here to wrap up loose ends with the store, then I’m out.”