Harlow (Society Girls #7)

by Crystal Perkins

  “Do you understand what he’s saying?” he asks me.

  “Yeah, and it’s pretty fucking awesome.”

  “Well then, I’m in.”

  “Cool. I’ll add you to the group text. What’s your number?” Owen asks, typing on his phone as X gives him the digits.

  “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” he asks, as his phone starts to vibrate with incoming texts.

  “A whole bunch of awesome.”

  “I’m going to walk away now, but keep me posted.”

  “I’m going to get out of here, too, because seeing Harlow dance with another guy is not my idea of fun.”

  “It’s not a real date,” Owen says. “If you’d check the text stream, you’d know that.”

  “I’ll catch up on it later,” I promise, shaking my head.

  I take one last look at the dance floor, where real date or not, Harlow’s laughing and having a good time. Seeing her like that gives me pause, because I want her to be happy. I should want that, even if I’m not the one giving her that happiness, but I just can’t give up yet. I have to try this one last thing, and if it’s not enough, I’ll try to walk away then. At least temporarily.

  Harlow

  “We can stop dancing now if you’d like,” Noah says, bringing my attention back to him.

  “Why would we stop?”

  “He’s gone.”

  “Am I that obvious?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “I’m sorry, Noah, I really am. You’re a great guy.”

  “But I’m not him.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “The dessert table looks pretty awesome if you feel like drowning yourself in sugar.”

  “Sugar sounds perfect.”

  We grab a bunch of the little desserts that were catered by Drago Sisters Bakery, and take them over one of the couches that are strategically placed around the room. Noah’s a great guy, and I know he’ll be a great friend, too. I’m finding I can never have enough of those, especially since my cousin has turned into a traitor of epic proportions.

  “Do you want to talk about what he said to you on the dance floor? I saw the two of you talking, and I’ve been told I’m a great listener.”

  Why not? “He told me his family tricked him into thinking their company was going under unless they presented some wholesome family values to someone they wanted to do business with. He thought thousands of people would lose their jobs if he didn’t play along.”

  “He didn’t tell you this before tonight?”

  “I didn’t give him the chance.”

  “Oh.”

  “Anyway, the businessman turned out to be X, who I’m sure everyone saw punch him, but is now on his side.”

  “Do you think it’s true? What he told you about being tricked?”

  “Honestly, yes.”

  “Then why are you here with me?”

  “Settle in, and I’ll explain how we met, how he hates it now, and why I feel so insecure.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  I tell Noah everything, from my humble beginnings and how they make me feel insecure, to the present where I needed him to stand up for me. He listens without interrupting, frowning at some points, and nodding at others. When I’m done, he seems to weigh his words carefully, and only then does he speak.

  “I don’t want you shooting the messenger, so can you afford me the same courtesy I gave you, and listen to everything I have to say without punching me?”

  This doesn’t sound good, but I did say I wanted his advice. “Yes. I’ll listen.”

  “I’m going to skip your family, and childhood, because from what you said, your cousin has already made you feel okay about all that, with some help from Bodhi.” I nod, and he continues. “The strip club thing would make even the most confident man in the world crazy, Harlow. I’m sorry, but it’s true. Just because someone hates that other men saw you naked doesn’t mean he’s ashamed of you, or thinks less of you, it’s just…I don’t even know how to phrase it properly, but it would make me go out of my mind. You said Bodhi was dealing with it, and that right there tells me he loves you, and also that he’s a better man than me, at least where that’s concerned.”

  I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I’m not a guy. Testosterone does crazy things to them, but what Noah’s saying makes some sense. I honor my vow to keep quiet, and just nod again, letting him know to continue.

  “Now, the stuff with his family is crazy, but I don’t really know anyone whose family is perfectly normal, so we can’t hold that against him. And before you say it, yeah, he could’ve jumped in, and said something sooner, but—and this is a big but, so listen carefully—you said he hugged you immediately, and kept his arm around you. As a dancer, I would think you’d appreciate non-verbal actions just as much as words. Especially when they include dancing, which just happened in front of this whole room. Bodhi basically shouted to everyone here that you’re his choice, and although he paid millions for a dance with you, you’re priceless to him. If I was a woman, I’d feel pretty damn good about all that.”

  He’s right. About everything. He’s so right, and I’m so fucking stupid. “I’ve ruined everything. He’s perfect, and I sent him away.”

  “I didn’t say he was perfect.”

  “I’m saying it.”

  “Okay, but he could’ve handled some things better.”

  “Noah, I want us to be friends, so please shut up about the man I love.”

  He holds his hands up. “It’s a good thing I grew up with Darcy, and later Jen. Otherwise, I’d be more freaked out about this total 180 than I am right now.”

  “I’m sorry,” I tell him with a laugh. “I really appreciate you opening my eyes to my behavior, and I’m not doing a good job of showing you that.”

  “It’s all good.”

  “What’s good?” Aiden asks, walking up with Ellie, Darcy, Brayden, Jen, and Wayne.

  “Noah helped me see that I was a total bitch to Bodhi.”

  “I didn’t call you a bitch, I just told you what I thought.”

  “Does this mean you’re going to take him back?” Darcy asks.

  “Once I figure out how to apologize to him, I will. He tried to give me a grand gesture, and I need to do something epic for him, too. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just something to show him how much I love and appreciate him.”

  “Stay tuned, Harlow, because they’ll be something you can do very soon. You’ll have to come up with what it is, but the time and place will be announced in the next week or so,” Aiden says.

  “Would you care to explain that in a way I can understand?”

  “It’s a Studkateer thing.”

  “Huh?” Noah asks.

  “Ooh, Noah totally needs to be a Studkateer since he really helped me tonight,” I tell Aiden.

  “There are rules and regulations for membership.”

  “No, there are not,” Ellie tells him, rolling her eyes.

  “Well, there will be.”

  I catch Owen’s eye across the room, and wave him and Candi over. “What’s up, Harlow?”

  “I want Noah to be a Studkateer.”

  “Um, he’s on a date with another Studkateer’s woman, which is definitely against our official code.”

  “What code, Owe? You men have no damn official code,” Candi says, glaring at him.

  “We will,” he says, sulking a little.

  “See! I told you, El, we’re working on the rule book.”

  “Is it bad that I’m totally lost right now?” Noah asks, looking at us all like we’re nuts, which we kind of are.

  “We’ll explain later,” I tell him, patting his hand. “Noah helped me look at things from Bodhi’s point of view, and he made me take a hard look at my behavior.”

  “You’re in,” Owen says.

  “Dude, you cannot just keep adding people,” Aiden tells him.

  “Dude, I came up with the name, and already sent in the Trademark forms, so yeah,
I can add this whole room if I want.”

  “Owen Griffin, you are trying my patience. I am tired of hearing about your little group of misfit boys,” Candi says, hands on her hips.

  “How come the girls can have a group, and we can’t?”

  “You can totally have a group as long as you don’t talk about them every minute of every day. I have needs.”

  “I didn’t realize I was neglecting you,” he says, moving towards her, and we all look away. These two are one of the most sexual couples on earth, and none of us need to see what happens next. “I’m out, but someone add Noah to the group text.”

  “I’m working on the rule book tonight, Owen, because I’m the alpha stud, and we’re going to abide by the rules.”

  “There’s no ‘alpha’ in Studkateer, Aiden. Remember that,” he says, pulling Candi behind him as he practically runs from the room.

  “Do I even want to be part of the text group?” Noah asks.

  “Oh yeah, you do,” Aiden tells him while Bray and Wayne nod.

  “Then go ahead and sign me up.”

  I’m glad I called Owen over, because I needed to laugh. For just a few minutes, I needed to forget that I broke my own heart, but now the pain is back. Aiden says there’s a place for me to show Bodhi I love him, so now all I need to do is plan on just how I want to do that. If only that was as easy as it sounds.

  22

  Bodhi

  Staying away from Harlow for the last two weeks has been torture, but I’ve kept busy with work that’s going to a good cause. The paintings I’ve done are being auctioned off for charity tonight, and I hope they’ll help me get her back. I painted Blake, Zack, Dylan, Joel, Aiden, Nate, Matt, Brayden, and Waverly’s boyfriend, Knox. I hadn’t met him before, but he’s a cool guy, and a fellow Studkateer, so he agreed to my request right away.

  I walk around the gallery, making sure everything looks just how I want it to. The art, and the food, are for Harlow, and I need it all to be perfect. I don’t know how many more chances I’ll get to win her back, so I’m not going to waste any. I want this one to work, but I meant it when I said I won’t give up if it doesn’t. I don’t know what else I’ll try, but I’ll cross that bridge if I come to it.

  “You nervous?” Owen asks, looking over my shoulder as I look over the food.

  “Yes.”

  “This is the weirdest spread of food I’ve ever seen. Cool, but weird.”

  “It’s not for you.”

  “You’re sure about this?”

  “I am.”

  “The paintings are insane, man. Candi’s photos are, too, but that’s to be expected, because my wife is fucking amazeballs. I can’t wait for the bidding to begin.”

  I want to be excited about the money I’m helping to raise, but all I can think about is Harlow. Seeing her, wooing her, and wowing her. If she comes. I know she got the invite, and she called the gallery to RSVP, but what if she changed her mind, or decided she couldn’t stand to see me?

  “Bodhi, I want to thank you again for doing this. Your paintings are so special, and we’re honored to be the recipient of your generosity.”

  I smile at the woman from the shelter, Heidi. Reina told me Harlow volunteered there while she was going to school, and she’s kept it up since she’s started working with the Society. I picked them as the recipient tonight because of her, and I’m not ashamed to say I hope she’ll come because she knows they’re getting the donations from tonight.

  “It’s my pleasure,” I reply, meaning it. They do good work, and no matter what else happens tonight, they’ll get a sizeable check.

  “Oh, there’s Harlow. I bet she’s excited about everything.”

  “She doesn’t know everything, so please don’t say anything.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yes. It’s a surprise.”

  “How romantic!”

  “I hope so.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “Thank you.”

  Once she moves on, I allow myself to turn and look at the love of my life. She has her hair straight and loose down her back, which is the way I love it most, but it’s her dress that blows me away. It’s strapless and fitted on top, but it billows out to a bubble shape, ending just above her ankles. It’s dark blue, with paint splatters all over it. Not real paint, of course, but the design is giving me hope that she’s ready to forgive me. I’ve been living on hope for two weeks now, and it looks like my prayers might just be answered.

  Harlow

  “You know I love Bodhi, but the food here is kind of weird,” Tegan tells me when I walk into the gallery.

  I’ve barely seen her or Stella for weeks, since Stella was on a mission, and Tegan was getting ready for the one she’s just about to start. I miss my friends, but I know I’ll be seeing a lot more of them soon, and Stella got me this dress before she went off for a romantic weekend with her husband, Kace.

  “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Nothing’s really wrong, but it’s all potatoes.”

  “What?” No way did he do this for me.

  “Go look for yourself.”

  I walk over to the table, and I know my smile could light the whole room, it’s so bright. There are mashed potato bites, mini paper boats with au gratin potatoes, mini boiled potatoes, a baked potato bar, and all kinds of fries. It is the best thing I have ever seen in my life, and I have to fight back the tears at how wonderful, and romantic, this gesture is.

  “Are you going to try something?”

  I turn to Bodhi, and thrust the bag in my hands at him. “I brought you tacos!”

  “No way! Really?”

  “I stopped at C&C to pick them up, but after seeing my potato buffet, I realize it pales in comparison to all of this.”

  He shakes his head. “This isn’t a contest, and between that dress and this bag in my hand, I almost have everything I need to die a happy man.”

  “What else do you need?” I ask, daring to hope he say it’s me.

  “If you don’t know the answer to that question, I’ve really failed you as a boyfriend.”

  “I think I know, but I’m scared to believe it.”

  “I’m the one who messed up.”

  “No. You were doing exactly what I asked, showing me with your actions how much you loved me, but I couldn’t see it.”

  “I hurt you.”

  “And I hurt us both by sending you away when I should’ve been holding you close. These last two weeks have been the worst of my life.”

  “I heard you passed your programming class, so it wasn’t all bad.”

  “You asked about me?”

  “Every day. The Studkateer network gave me regular updates.”

  “And here I thought I was doing good with this dress, and a bag of tacos. I was scared to ask the guys, and have them tell me you moved on.”

  “Never, Low. I told Owen I would chase you for another 50 years if I had to.”

  “Only 50?”

  “Forever. I’ll chase you forever.”

  “You’ve already caught me, Bo.”

  “I still have one more surprise for you?”

  “You have something else?”

  “I do.”

  “I may not survive the romance of this night.”

  “Don’t think you’re going to get away from me that easily, woman. I have plans for you later, so stay alive.”

  “Do the plans include tacos in bed?”

  “You know me so well.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  We lean towards each other, but feedback from a microphone has us jumping apart.

  “They’re ready for you,” Owen says with a smirk.

  I start to move away, but Bodhi takes my hand in his, and leads me to the front of the room. He keeps holding my hand as the auctioneer introduces him, and he still don’t let go when he takes the microphone from him, handing me the bag of tacos so he can keep my hand in his. He doesn’t seem to
want to let me go, and I’m not complaining.

  “Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you’ve all had the chance to look at the paintings on the walls, and decide if you want to bid on them. My friends graciously allowed me to paint them, and in case you didn’t recognize who they were, they’re going to stand by the paintings, and they’re happy to sign the backs of the canvases for the winning bidders. The beautiful photos on the tables were taken by my friend, Candi Griffin, and they are also for sale. The bidding will start in a few minutes.”

  He hands the microphone back, and I watch as some of my famous friends, who are now his friends, too, go to stand next to the paintings I hadn’t even looked at yet. They’re abstract, like that awesome painting he did when I saw him last, and it makes me a little sad that I wasn’t there to see them being made. I pull on Bodhi’s hand, and he chuckles as I lead him around the room to look at what he’s created.

  “They’re so amazing!”

  “Thanks.”

  “How did you choose the charity?” I didn’t tell him I worked with them, but I can’t imagine it’s a coincidence.

  “Reina told me you work with them. This entire night is for you. It’s my silent gesture for you alone, letting you know by my actions that I love you. There’s something later that will show everyone else, but the rest of this is just for you.”

  “What’s happening later?” I ask, not holding back my tears now.

  “Please tell me those are happy tears,” Bodhi says, looking a little panicked.

  “They are.”

  “You’ll have to wait to see your last surprise, but we can grab some potatoes right now.”

  “I still can’t believe you did that, or all of this,” I say, motioning around the room to the decorations I’m just now seeing, too. I have a surprise for him later, too, but it’s nothing like this.

  While the walls are decorated with his paintings, the tables hold the photos he mentioned. These aren’t celebrities, they’re dancers. The kind of dancer I was, complete with poles and very little clothing. The pictures are tasteful, and beautiful, and while I know some of the dancers in them, I don’t know them all.

  “I would do anything for you, Harlow. This right here was easy, because the shelter can use the money, and I had fun painting the guys.”