If I Fall by Meg Embry

Author:Meg Embry [Embry, Meg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

Harlan

Chapter Seven

The next few days passed by for Harlan in a blur of shared lunches and fleeting touches. Of texting while he’s at Bella’s or The Washing Well. Darby had been his kind self, letting Harlan set the pace for what was growing between them.

“You’re quiet this morning,” Darby commented, glancing away from the road briefly to Harlan.

“Just tired,” Harlan answered. And it was the truth. His guilt had made sleep a hard thing to find the last few nights, leaving him tossing and turning.

They were headed out of Vale Valley to pick up a large order Darby had placed to stock up for the last-minute holiday gift rush and custom orders. Paige was covering the full day at Quill and Cape, waving them off with the promise to call Leola or Oscar if it got too busy.

It was the first time he’d been in Darby’s large SUV, and he was enjoying the heated seats so early in the morning.

“How is it the delivery company can’t find Vale Valley?” He asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

“I think it has to do with the magic of the town. You have to need it. Or be looking for a safe-haven,” Darby answered, reaching across the wide console to link their fingers together.

“Like me,” Harlan stated. “I meant to get the bus to the town right outside of here, but it broke down right beside the Vale Valley sign.”

“And you just walked away from the bus?” Darby chuckled.

Harlan shook his head. “Something called to me, and I couldn’t ignore it.”

Darby hummed and rubbed his thumb across Harlan’s knuckles.

“This shouldn’t take too long. Then we’ll grab lunch somewhere before coming back.”

Harlan laughed, “We just had breakfast, and you’re already talking about food.”

“I have to make sure I’m keeping you fed.” Darby smirked at him.

“Good luck. My metabolism is crazy. Dad was like it, too. Mom used to refuse to cook because it was like cooking for a football team instead of four people. So, he would do most of it.” He was surprised when talking about them so freely didn’t hurt as much as it had—the pain was still there, just different.

“Mom is worried you don’t eat enough,” Darby stated.

“Bella is always making me full plates of food, too. Yet here I am.” He laughed, waving a hand down his lanky body.

Darby laughed with him, “You’re gorgeous. I’ll tell Mom to back off.”

Harlan’s heart fluttered at Darby’s comment. Darby gave them so freely, and Harlan knew he needed to work on his reaction.

Harlan shook his head. “You don’t have to. It’s nice.”

Darby smiled at him again, releasing his hand to put in on the wheel with his other.

Harlan stared at Darby’s profile, committing it to memory. He was waiting for the other shoe to drop. He'd yet to tell Darby everything, and he appreciated Darby letting him tell him in his own time. He could feel Darby was exactly what he needed—could imagine that with Darby he could find balance.

But it also broke Harlan’s heart a little—differently than all the shit he'd been through had.

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