Miles

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“Is this seriously all you have?” I look around Harlow’s bare apartment.

Other than the bed Winston gave her from his spare room which we placed up in the loft. She has zero furniture.

“I told you I was starting from scratch.” She huffs, both of her hands going to her hips as she stands in the center of the empty living space.

“Yeah, but I didn’t realize you meant this,” I tell her, shaking my head.

“Don’t worry. I should have enough money to get a couch in the next couple of weeks.”

“In the next couple of weeks? Where do you plan to sit until then? You don’t even have a place to eat.”

“Jackie and Dad are giving me their old table. Jackie decided on Friday that she wanted a new one. I think she just wanted to make sure I had a table and chairs but knew I would never agree to let them buy me one.”

“And where do you plan to sit and relax? Those hardwood chairs are hardly comfortable.”

“The floor works just fine.”

“As if that’s any better,” I counter.

“It’s only temporary. I’ll take a little out of each paycheck and buy things as the weeks progress. It’s not like I have to have every single thing right now. I can manage.”

“There are certain things you need in your home. One of the most important things being furniture,” I tell her, snagging her purse off the kitchen counter. “Come on, we’re going shopping,” I say, extending the bag to her.

“What?” She looks from me to the purse and then back again.

“Shopping,” I say, shoving the bag into her hand. “You and me. Let’s go.”

“Miles,” she starts, but I immediately cut her off.

“We’re doing this,” I tell her sternly.

“I don’t have the money right now,” she objects. “I spent most of what I had saved on the deposit, first month’s rent, and having all the utilities turned on. Did you know that if you’ve never had electric or water in your name they make you pay deposits? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” She sighs.

“You don’t need money. This is on me.”

“Like hell it is.” She crosses her arms in front of herself, her purse dangling from her hand. “You are not buying me anything.”

“Yes, I am.”

“No, you’re not.” The frustration in her voice is undeniable. “I’ve never done anything on my own. Alan always handled the money. He decided what to buy and when. I was just along for the ride. It’s important to me that I do this for myself. So thank you, but no thank you.”

“I’ll tell you what.” I try another angle, clearly seeing how important this is to her. “Come with me to the furniture store, pick out a couch, and I will pay for it.” I hold up my finger when she begins to open her mouth, surely to object. “And then you can pay me back.”

“No.” She shakes her head.

“Okay, what if we set up a paycheck deduction?” I suggest. “I’ll buy you a new couch. And a T.V.,” I say, looking around the empty space. “And we can agree upon an amount that will be deducted from your paycheck each week to pay me back.”

“Now I need a T.V. too?” She taps her foot.

“I saw you looking at some online the other day. Don’t act like you don’t want one.” I smirk when she glares in my direction.

“That’s a very nice offer, Miles, but...”

“You said yourself that you were going to buy these things over the next few weeks anyway. What’s the harm in letting me buy them for you and you paying me back? Think of it as an advance from work. People do that sort of thing all the time.”

“They do?” She cocks a brow.

“I mean, some people do, yeah.” I shrug.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” She finally concedes, clearly seeing that my stubbornness outmatches even hers.

“Not a chance.”

She lets out a dramatic sigh before hoisting her purse up onto her shoulder.

“Fine. I’ll let you buy me a couch and a television, but only if you swear I can set up the payroll deduction first thing tomorrow and you won’t go messing with it later on.”

“You have my word.” I make a criss-cross motion over my heart.

“You’re really frustrating. You know that.” She stomps past me, slipping on her flip-flops when she reaches the front door.

“You’re just figuring that out?” I tease, snagging her keys from the key hook next to the door before she can grab them herself. “Just relax, this will be fun,” I tell her, leading her out into the hallway before stopping to lock the deadbolt.

“Somehow I doubt that,” she deadpans, failing to hold a straight face for long.

——

“Are you sure I need something this big?” Harlow steps back and looks over the sixty-five-inch television mounted on display in front of us.

We’ve been shopping for nearly two hours. It didn’t take her long to pick out a couch once we reached the furniture store, but then I had to spend an additional twenty minutes convincing her to let me buy her the whole set. Now she’s been standing in front of the same two televisions for what feels like forever, nibbling on her thumbnail like she can’t decide.

“Trust me. You’re going to want the bigger screen. It will fit the space a hell of a lot better than the smaller one.”

“I guess you’re right.” She nods. “Let’s get the bigger one.”

“Wise choice.” I grin, kissing her on the temple before going in search of a floor associate to help us.

Not able to find anyone available, I decide to go to the customer service desk where the young girl working promises to send someone over.

Just as I turn to head back to Harlow, a familiar voice washes over me, and I turn to see Delia just a few feet behind me in line.

“I thought that was you.” She abandons her spot and comes to stand next to me.

“Hey, D.” I nod. “Why aren’t you at work?”

“I should ask you the same thing,” she counters, her usual sass firmly intact.

“I’m actually heading over soon. I’ve got two appointments this evening.”

“I just came from there. My speaker is acting up again and you know I can’t work without my tunes.” She holds up the Bluetooth speaker in her hand. “I’m heading back over as soon as I pay for this bad boy.”

“Everything going okay today?”

“Smooth as can be. Though Chuck and Tubbs got into a little tiff over an appointment mix up. Apparently one of Chuck’s regulars called to schedule an appointment. Tubbs took the call, ended up overbooking Chuck somehow. Anyway, it all got worked out.”

“I guess I’ll have to talk to him again about the appointment book. This isn’t the first time he’s done this.”

“Trust me, I know. The last time he did it to me.” She huffs. “So, what are you doing here?”

“I’m helping Harlow pick out a T.V. for her new apartment,” I say, not missing the knowing smirk that instantly appears on her face.

“You’ve been doing an awful lot with Harlow here recently, boss man. Anything I should know?” She rocks back on her heels.

“If you’re asking are we together, the answer is yes,” I say, knowing by the way her eyes widen that she didn’t expect me to say that, or at least not say it without a little more coaxing from her.

“I just assumed you were fucking her.” She nods, seeming almost impressed. “So you’re like together, together.”

“Together, together,” I confirm.

“Huh? Well, will you look at that. There’s a woman who can tame him after all,” she says more to herself than to me.

“Are you done? I need to get back to Harlow.” I shake my head, smiling.

“Oh yes, we don’t want to keep your lady waiting.” She bats her eyelashes dramatically at me.

“You’re a fucking handful. Remind me why I employ you again.”

“Because you’d be lost without me,” she says matter of fact.

“Keep telling yourself that.” I laugh, clapping her on the shoulder as I pass her. “I’ll see you at the shop in a little bit.”

“Yeah you will,” she calls after me.

When I finally get back to Harlow, she’s still standing in the same spot only this time she’s talking to an associate.

“Hey.” I step up next to her just as the female associate leaves to make sure they have the television Harlow wants in stock.

“Hey.” She leans into me. “What took you so long? I was starting to think you got lost.”

“Sorry, I ran into Delia. She couldn’t let me slip away without giving me shit for something.”

“Uh oh.” She grins, knowing how Delia is with me. “What about this time?”

“You.” The smile instantly falls from her lips and worry creases her forehead as she turns to face me.

“Me?” she croaks. “You didn’t tell her about us, did you?”

“I did.” I nod. “You think I’m going to face off with your family but keep it from mine?” I give her a look that tells her she should know better.

“No, I guess not. I just hadn’t really thought about it.”

“I told you I’m done hiding and that means I’m done hiding. I don’t care who knows. Truthfully, the more people that know you’re mine, the better. I’ll make sure Tubbs gets that message loud and clear.” I grin, dropping a kiss to her forehead.

“Tubbs?” She seems confused.

“Don’t act like you don’t know he’s got a thing for you. I think he’s made that pretty apparent.”

“Oh, he does not.” She dismisses the thought. “He just likes picking on me.”

“Trust me, Low, I know Tubbs. Every move he’s made up to this point has been to try to get you into his bed.”

“Men. I swear I don’t understand  any of you.” She rolls her eyes.

“Okay, we do have that model in stock.” The associate returns, just as I’m about to respond.

“Great, we’ll take it,” I say instead, throwing Harlow a wink before following the associate to the sales counter.

——

“Hey.” Harlow raps on the open door of Room B where I’m cleaning up after my first appointment.

“Hey. I didn’t know you were coming by tonight.” I smile, watching her step inside the room.

She’s wearing a different outfit than she was earlier today when we were shopping – having traded in her jean shorts and tank for a short, form-fitting romper that looks insane on her slender frame.

“I met Dad and Jackie for dinner at Rock Bottom. I thought maybe you’d be hungry so I brought you something,” she says, holding up a takeout bag that I didn’t even notice until now.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell her, crossing the room toward her.

“I wanted to.” She turns her face up the instant I reach her, giving me full access to her mouth, where I promptly lay a long, wet kiss.

“You’ve been drinking,” I murmur against her lips, able to taste the remnants of alcohol on her tongue.

“I had a couple of beers,” she admits, pressing her lips back to mine.

I groan, tightening my grip on her.

“I’ve missed you,” I say, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze.

“You just saw me.” She smiles.

“I still missed you.” I rest my forehead against hers.

“Hey, boss.” I look up to see Tubbs who falters just inside the door. “Shit, my bad.” He shakes his head, realizing what he just walked in on.

“You need something?” I growl, irritated by the interruption.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. Your next appointment is here.”

“Thanks. I’ll come out and get her when we’re done here.”

“Cool. Cool.” His eyes dart to Harlow for a split second before he quickly exits the room.

“Well, that took care of that problem.” I chuckle, knowing Harlow knows exactly what I’m referring to.

“Men.” She shakes her head and steps out of my embrace. “Here.” She shoves the takeout bag into my hand. “Eat a little something before you start your next appointment, okay?” She takes my face into her hands.

“Yes, ma’am.” I grin, breaking into a full blown smile when she pushes up and drops a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “I’m coming by your place when I’m ready for dessert,” I tell her as she backs away.

“I already feel sorry for my neighbors.” She giggles, blowing me a kiss before exiting the room.

I close the short distance between me and the door and quickly hang my head out into the hallway so I can watch her walk away. I bite my lip to suppress the groan that works its way into my throat at watching her perfect hips sway.

As if sensing my eyes on her, Harlow turns right as she reaches the mouth of the hallway. She gives me a knowing smile and a small wave before disappearing into the lobby.

Fuck me. I am so far gone it’s not even funny.