Being Harrison Bloom’s Girl

Emily smiled just a little bit.

“Soft and romantic, mostly dependable. Not the grand passion and grand gestures that Harrison is known for.”

Leigh nodded ruefully.

“That’s about it. It’s just… There would be no pressure with him. I could take things as slow as I wanted to and it wouldn’t be like I was letting him down.”

Emily slipped an arm around Leigh, and Leigh rested her head on her friend’s shoulder gratefully.

“I know I’m being all confused.”

“It’s all right to be confused. You’ve always been so certain of what you wanted. It’s fine that you’re feeling a little uncertain and off balance now. It happens to the best of us. You’re just not used to it.”

“You’re never confused.”

Emily’s chuckle was warm and somehow comforting.

“I’m always confused. I just make it look good. So now, where do you stand?”

Leigh considered shrugging and decided it was too much effort to move.

“I guess I’ve broken up with Harrison, and he’s moved on. He’s with somebody who looks like she belongs at his side. Good for him, I guess. There’s no reason why he should have to sit at home and mope just because we’re not together anymore. He never was one for moping. It’s one of the things I loved about him.”

“It was pretty quick.”

Leigh moved away, suddenly restless, and started pacing.

“There’s no time limit for such things. Sometimes, things happen for a reason. People come into your life because they’re meant to be in your life. Maybe that’s how it is with him and Diane. Maybe she was always the one for him.”

Emily shook her head slowly.

“I don’t think so. It really looked as if you were the one for him when you two were together. It always looked that way to me, to be honest. It was just a matter of finding each other.”

Leigh shook her head, denying the knowledge she had accepted as truth until a few weeks ago.

“Obviously, that was wrong. We weren’t meant to be together. Or we would’ve found a way to make things work. I would’ve found a way to make a place for him in my life, and not resent him for who he has to be. He would’ve found a way to not push me and make me feel like he wanted to take over my life. We would’ve found a way.”

Emily shrugged.

“The two of you gave up pretty quickly.”

“Maybe that’s because there wasn’t enough there to fight for, either. Maybe what I need to do is let go.”

Emily frowned.

“If you really think so, then you should consider letting him go. You can’t go on this way, Leigh, obviously. So, if you think letting go is the answer, then do that, instead of hiding under the covers like you’re six and you’re afraid of the monsters. Which, let me remind you, you never were. You used to challenge them, with that stuffed toy as your second. Harrison told me that.”

Leigh smiled. It was a weak and wobbly smile, but it was a smile, nonetheless.

“I guess. I guess I should. But… Emily, I know it’s unfair, but those photos. All I did was have dinner with somebody, and talk. I’m allowed to have dinner and conversation with people, aren’t I? But those photos are so much more. That was much more than dinner and conversation.”

“Maybe you’re jumping to conclusions.”

“Can you see any other conclusions you could saunter towards, even vaguely?”

Emily had to shake her head.

“No, but maybe it’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Or maybe it is just as bad, and I should take a leaf from Harrison’s book and just move on.”

“Leigh, you’re making me tired, just watching you pace. Now, if you do want to move on, why don’t you? Maybe what you need is a rebound. But either way, you do need to figure things out with Harrison. You can’t avoid him forever. You’ve got to talk to him.”

Leigh shook her head stubbornly.

“He didn’t want to talk to me. He doesn’t want to talk to me. Why would I want to talk to him?”

Emily rolled her eyes at Leigh.

“Because,” said Emily, with an elaborate pretense of patience, “he is family. And despite everything, even if you’ve convinced yourself that you’re not in love with him anymore, you do love him. That is something you cannot deny or escape.”

“Maybe I don’t.”

“And maybe you’re a bloody liar, and in denial. Don’t make it harder than it has to be, Leigh. You know you’ll have to deal with it. Might as well deal with it sooner rather than later. It becomes more and more difficult with time, you know that.”

Leigh shook her head again, even more stubbornly.

“No. He has made his choice, and I wish him well. But if he had any inclination to get in touch with me, he would’ve done so. Since he doesn’t, I’m sure it’s in no way imperative for me to get in touch with him, either.”

Emily threw up her hands in defeat.

“Fine, be a stubborn mule about it. See if it makes the slightest bit of difference to me. Now, I have only the day and you don’t look like you mean to go to class, so take me to that pub of yours.”

Leigh didn’t agree enthusiastically, but she agreed, and in half an hour, they were seated on stools at the pub and having a pint and peanuts.

“I don’t like peanuts.”

Emily grinned.

“Wouldn’t think it to see the way you’re shoveling them down.”

“Haven’t eaten anything.”

Emily frowned.

“I can see that. The ultra-skinny skeleton look is frankly not working for you, Leigh. I… Yes, may I help you?”

Leigh turned and, instinctively, raised her hands to her hair, which she had bundled up into a messy bun. Then she wondered if she stank. She couldn’t – Emily would’ve told her if she did.

“Emily! I mean… Oh, this is Roger. Professor Dr. Roger Hutton, Emily. I mean… Let me try again. Roger, this is Emily, my best friend. She’s a marine biologist and crusader who has no fear. Emily, this is Roger. I told you about him.”

“I hope you heard good things. Leigh, we missed you in class yesterday. I suspect somebody or the other is missing you in class today, too.”