Harry’s Range Rover wasn’t in the driveway when I pulled up. I parked out front and fiddled with the keys on my key ring, finding the one with the blue rubber key cover on it. I made my way to the lounge, dropped my bag by Harry’s big comfy chair, and slowly lowered myself onto the couch. I lay down and folded my hands over my stomach, staring up at the ceiling.
A few moments passed and I heard the front door open and close followed by the freezer door opening and closing. I heard his footsteps approaching before his curly head intercepted my view. He had concern in his sparkling eyes, “You alright Love?”
I stared passed him, “I blew it, Harry. I tanked the interview.”
“I’m sure you didn’t blow it,” he reassured me as he walked around to the front of the couch. “Up,” he said softly.
I lifted my head and he sat down. I rested my head in his lap as he ran his hand through my hair. “This interview was my future. What if I did blow it? What then?”
“Then you wait, save up and go next year. But I’m sure you did just fine, so don’t stress over it.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know you. You handle pressure well and you’re genuine.”
I smiled and heaved a big sigh, “Fine. Thanks Harry.”
“So then why don’t I go get that junk food and you put on a movie, yeah?”
“Sounds like a plan.” I lifted myself off the couch and shuffled to the entertainment center, scanning his movies as he slammed around in the kitchen.
I decided on “Get Smart”, a movie we had both seen thousands of times. Harry came strolling back into the lounge with the peanut butter and Oreos in one hand and the ice cream and two spoons in the other. We snuggled up on the couch as the opening trailers rolled, the tub of ice cream in my lap. “I love this Haz; the way you can comfort me with a few sweet words, junk food and a cheesy movie,” I smiled at him, “you just know me so well.”
He chuckled, “I’m your best friend Natalie. It’s my job.”
“Well you’re really good at your job then,” I smiled a toothy grin.
“Thanks.” A wide grin spread across his face, his eyes squinting up with a happy light with his teeth flashing and dimples punctuating his features.
My heart skipped a beat as we looked into each other’s eyes for a brief moment. He turned away as the movie began and I looked at my lap as a small smile graced my lips and a pink tint rose in my cheeks. The sensation I felt inside wasn’t completely foreign, but I had only felt it once; the night I met the boys. I still wasn’t too sure about it, but I wasn’t afraid of it this time.