Searching for Harmony (Boston Love 1)

“Excuse me, ma’am?”

Narrowing her eyes at me, she shook her head. “Preston, I’ve seen that look before. I saw it on your father’s face the first time he saw me on a date with another man. Talk to her and ask her.”

“Nah, Mom, it’s not like that with me and Harmony. We’re just friends.”

Nodding, she said, “Okay, Preston.” Reaching up on her toes, she kissed my cheek. Turning to walk into the house, she looked over her shoulder and said, “Life is too short, darling. You of all people should know that, Preston.”

“What does that mean, Mom?”

Lifting her hand, she gave me a wave and walked into the house.

Pushing my hand through my hair, I let out a sigh. I’ll never understand women.

Ever.

Chapter 13

Holidays Suck

Harmony

Flopping down on the beat-up sofa in the break room, I let out a sigh. The door opened and one of the nurses walked in. Chuck. Just the sight of him made my skin crawl. Closing my eyes, I hoped he would just get what he needed and head right back out.

“Harmony! How’s it going?”

Ugh. I knew I couldn’t get that lucky. Opening one eye, I smiled. “It’s going.”

Closing my eye again, I hoped he got the hint that I was tired and not in the mood to talk. It had been a little over a week since I’d seen Preston and I was exhausted from lack of sleep. The night he held me in his arms was the best night I’d slept since the accident.

“You look tired,” Chuck said as he flopped down next to me.

Go. Away.

“I am, Chuck. School and work have taken their toll on me.”

“Yeah, I bet. I’m sure with the holidays coming up, it’s got to be hard on you, too. You know, not having your son and husband.”

Jesus, did he really just bring that up? What a dick and a half. No. No, Chuck was a full-on dick. He didn’t think I noticed him brush up against me yesterday as I was bending over. I could feel his nasty hard-on and it made me want to jump out of my skin.

Oh God. I’m going to puke.

Just as I was about to tell Chuck to get the hell away from me, the door opened again. Opening my eyes, I smiled when I saw the head of nursing walk in. “Joel, did you say you needed to talk to me?”

It only took Joel half a second to notice what was going on. “Yes, if you have a minute, Harmony. I’d like to talk to you in my office.”

Closing my eyes and saying a quick prayer, I jumped up and said, “See ya later, Chuck.”

“Oh yeah, um, see ya later, Harmony.”

Following Joel into his office, I let out a moan as my eyes went heavenward. “Thank goodness you showed up when you did.” Sitting down in one of his chairs, he gave me a look and asked, “Is everything okay, Harmony?”

Nodding, my eyes roamed freely over his body. Why in the hell do I not find this man attractive?

Oh wait. It could be because he’s my boss. Or maybe it’s the fact that he is ten years older than me.

“Yes, I’m just tired. Thank you again for meeting with me for lunch. It really meant a lot that you would take time out of your schedule to discuss my concerns on where I saw my nursing career going.”

Sitting back in his chair, it was Joel’s turn to let his eyes roam freely over me. Biting my lip, I looked away. I didn’t think he meant to look at me the way he did, but it still made me uncomfortable. Ever since he saw Preston staring at us at the restaurant, he seemed to act differently toward me.