“Yes, I do. I don’t want to be anywhere where you’re not.” She blushed. “You make me feel safe, Harley.”
And I don’t want you anywhere near the danger. You’re a distraction. “All right.” He sat back on his chair. They could cross that bridge when they came to it.
* * *
“Look at this collection!” NORAH grinned madly as she gripped a movie case in between her hands.
“What about it?”
“Can we watch this one?” She held up the latest in a line of superhero movies.
“Sure.” They had spent the better part of the day putting together notes, and they still had practically nothing. “At this point, I’ll welcome that type of distraction.”
She put the disk in the DVD player and Harley grabbed the remote off the coffee table.
“Gerry seemed to pick out some pretty awesome movies,” Norah commented as Harley booted up the system.
“I’m glad. I had planned to be holed up here for a while, so I suppose he thought I would need some entertainment.”
“I love movies, and the ones with superheroes just so happen to be my favorite.”
Harley stared at her. She was beautiful and into superheroes? Why did fate keep making her more attractive? She certainly didn’t need the help! “You’re into superheroes?”
“Who isn’t? I haven’t read all the comics, so I can’t say I’ve been a diehard fan since the beginning, but ever since they started making these movies, I’ve been hooked.” She glanced at him. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
Harley looked away. “Just surprised, is all.” He looked back, “Though I suppose most women like his biceps.”
Norah rolled her eyes. “They are nice, don’t get me wrong, but that’s not the reason this one’s my favorite.”
“Then why is he your favorite?”
“He's kind and selfless, the way every superhero should be.”
“Uh huh.”
Norah pulled her legs up under her and grabbed the throw off the back of the couch.
“Are you cold? I can turn up the heat.”
“No, that’s all right.” She smiled. “I like being cozy, so I almost always have a blanket on me when I’m relaxing.”
Harley focused his attention back on the TV as the opening credits started to roll. She was an enigma to him. As soon as he thought he had her figured out, another part of her revealed itself.
* * *
WHEN THE MOVIE was over, Norah stood and stretched. “See? Coolest superhero ever.”
“I’m still partial to the first movie.”
Norah waved her hand. “Ummm no. This one had tons more action than that one did!”
Harley smiled and stood. “I’ll go see what I can toss together for dinner, since you took care of breakfast and lunch.”
“Harley, I like to cook.”
“It just so happens I do also.”
“Well then, I will go and grab a shower.”
Once in the bathroom, Norah stared at herself in the mirror. The yellow bruise on her cheekbone was almost completely gone. Clayton would never hit her again. She would never have to take extra care applying her makeup to conceal a bruise.
She smiled. As soon as this was all over she was going to start her life again. This time, she wouldn’t allow herself to fall victim to anyone. She was her own person, and she would make sure she took care of things on her own.
No more rules. No more pretending to be someone she wasn’t. She would work as hard as she needed to, and then she would go to school. She would become a social worker, and dammit, she would live her life how she wanted to.
Norah undressed and climbed into the shower.
When she emerged from the shower fifteen relaxing minutes later, she could already smell the food Harley was preparing.
“That smells delicious,” she said as she walked in to see Harley standing in front of the stove.
“Spaghetti.”
“One of my favorites.”
“Really?” he asked, turning slightly to offer her a smile. “One of mine too.”
“Look at that, we have something other than near-death experiences in common.” Her attempt at a crappy joke was met with a half-smile.
“Will you grab some plates down?”
“Sure.” Norah walked over to the cabinet and pulled down two red plates. Then she grabbed some silverware and continued setting the table. “I don’t suppose Gerry stocked some wine anywhere?” she asked hopefully.
“There’s a small portion of the cellar he insisted on stocking with some bottles. Come stir this sauce and I’ll go grab one.” She reached for the spoon he was using and took over, gently stirring.
After disappearing for a few minutes, Harley returned carrying two bottles of red wine. Her mouth practically watered at the sight of them.
“Want a glass now?”
“Yes, please,” she said in a mock begging tone, and continued to stir gently.
He poured two glasses and then reached across her to turn the stove off. “Have a seat.”
“I can make my own plate, Harley.”
“I’ve got it. I cooked it, I get to serve it.”
She did as she was told and gratefully took the wine glass he handed to her. She took a long sip and nearly moaned with relief when it hit her tongue. Oh, how she loved wine.
“Here you go,” he said as he set a bowl in front of her and then took a seat across from her.
“Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.”
“This is delicious!” she said around a mouthful.
“I’m glad you like it.” He laughed. “My mom would make it for me every year on my birthday—still does, in fact.”
“That’s so great. Where is she now?” Norah asked, and saw his eyes light up.
“She lives in Texas now. Wanted to get away from Seattle and had always loved the idea of the Lone Star State.”
“You didn’t want to go with her?”
“I was already working for Tom, and I didn’t want to let him down. Ironic, isn’t it?” he said, disgusted.
She couldn’t help it. She reached over and gently touched his hand before taking another drink of wine.
“So why did your mom name you Harley?” she asked him.
“It was my dad’s idea.” Harley laughed. “Mom always told me she lost a bet and dad got to name me after his favorite motorcycle.”
“That’s awesome.” Norah laughed and took another bite of her spaghetti.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“What’s your story?”
“I assumed you knew most of it, since you had a file and all.” She didn’t mean it to come out sharp, but judging by his face, that’s how he took it. “It was a joke, Harley. My parents weren’t around much once I could start caring for myself. I guess I was about seven when they left me alone for the first time. I was alone for about three days at first, and then the lengths of time began to grow. Once they were gone for a month, came back for a day, and then left again. Eventually they stopped coming back.”
“I’m sorry, Norah.”