The Allure of You | H + R Chapter 4

Seen & Unspoken

“Sometimes strength is walking past what once wrecked you without looking back.”

“Ma, was this necessary?”

“Yes, it was,” her mother replied firmly as they walked arm and arm toward the doors of Willow and Thyme. “It’s been too long since I had a moment to lay eyes on you and make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

“Mmhm,” her mom hummed, letting her arm go to open the door. “So you keep saying.”

“And I mean it,” Harmony insisted, following her inside.

The scent hit her first.

Basil, lemon zest, and something else, truffle maybe, wrapped in the subtle smokiness of charred rosemary. The kind of scent that made you pause just inside the doorway, stomach awake and curious.

Harmony paused just inside the entry, sunglasses still on. Her mother moved beside her, adjusting the strap of her bag.

“Smells like we made the right choice,” her mother murmured, offering a small smile.

Harmony nodded, scanning the room automatically. She wasn’t looking for anyone in particular. At least, that’s what she told herself. Until she saw him.

Remington.

Her heart caught in her throat, but Harmony didn’t stop walking.

She shifted her gaze before Remi could notice her looking. Or maybe he already had. Either way, she didn’t look again.

Their hostess guided them to a table near the windows, far enough that the noise blurred into ambiance. Harmony slipped into her seat with practiced grace, placing her napkin across her lap as her mother settled opposite her.

“You okay?” her mother asked, eyeing her over the rim of her water glass.

“Mhm,” Harmony replied, eyes fixed on the minimalist menu she already knew by heart. “Just hungry and curious as to why my mother strong-armed me into going to lunch.”

“Because you and your father are driving me crazy with all of this nonsense.”

Harmony frowned. “If you came here as a spokesperson on your husband’s behalf, then let me stop you now. I don’t have any energy for him, Mama.”

“Harmony, your father loves you. As much of a brave front as he puts on, it’s killing him.”

“Ma, I don’t care,” she replied firmly. “He wasn’t thinking of either of us when he did what he did, so why should we consider him? I don’t understand why you’re trying so hard to pretend things are normal when you’re the one he stepped out on. You should be madder than me.” She immediately regretted her words when hurt flashed in her mother’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out so callously.”

They took a beat to order their food, and Harmony’s mother took a deep breath to collect herself before continuing their conversation.

“Sweetheart, I know it might be hard for you to understand how or why I’ve forgiven your father for what he’s done. But I have my reasonings. Besides the fact that I love your father, we share a lot of history, and I refuse to allow a woman looking for a payday to come in and rewrite my story.”

“Mama, he slept with that woman,” Harmony emphasized.

She decided not to mention that Serenity had somehow obtained her number and refused to stop calling. Harmony didn’t know why she hadn’t blocked her yet. Whether it be that she needed the constant reminder of the pain her father caused to keep him at arm’s length or something deeper, she wasn’t sure.

“I know what he did, Harmony. I live with that every day. But he stepped out on me, not you. And I don’t need you fighting my battle for me. You’re my child. Not my warrior.”

“I don’t think we’re ever going to see eye-to-eye about this, Mama.”

“Baby Girl, I understand your point of view. But I want you to understand that you’re allowing a woman with jealous intentions to achieve her goal of destroying our family. Your father’s one mistake shouldn’t negate all the things your father has done for you. By doing so, you’re letting her win.”

“Maybe it’s just too soon, but I can’t see past my emotions right now, Mom. I just can’t.”

“That’s your choice, and I respect it. But life is short, my love. While you’re stewing in your anger, I’d like you to think about how you would feel if you never got the chance to make things right with him.”

As she nodded, Harmony’s eyes wandered to the bar’s soft brass fixtures and caught the edge of Remi’s reflection in the glass.

His head was turned in her direction, but she refused to meet his gaze or give him any indication that she’d seen him.

But she had seen him.

And her.

Although she’d never met Alicia in person, Harmony felt it was safe to assume who she was based on the rock resting on the ring finger of her left hand. 

She forced herself to breathe through the gentle, unwelcome ache in her chest. It wasn’t jealousy. Harmony didn’t want to be in Alicia’s shoes, but she hadn’t been prepared for how much it would sting to actually see them together.

Thankfully, their lunch arrived, which brought her back to her current reality.

Reaching for her fork, Harmony smiled at her mother. “I think that’s enough talk about men today. Tell me what’s new in your world.”

***

“Hey girl, hey!” Harmony called, letting herself into her home once her long day was finally over. “You will not believe—” she paused upon stepping into the living room and seeing Rayna’s face. “What’s wrong?”

Removing her iPad from her lap, Rayna continued staring into space. “Nothing’s wrong. I think. For once, everything feels like it might be alright.”

Sinking into a chair, Harmony dropped all of her belongings onto the floor. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“I filed for divorce,” Rayna revealed, making the room go still.

“What?” Harmony’s response was quiet.

“I didn’t think about it, I just did it. I can’t believe—I,”

“Okay, okay,” Harmony interrupted, noticing the tears in Rayna’s eyes. “Let’s just take a minute. I’m going to shower and change; we’ll get some snacks and then we’ll talk it out.”

Nodding rapidly, Rayna wiped her nose with the back of her hand.

Thirty minutes later, the house was quiet, save for the soft clinking of mugs and the faint hum of the dishwasher running in the background. Harmony had changed into loungewear—bare feet, soft cotton, her hair piled on top of her head. Rayna sat curled on the couch, a throw blanket pulled around her shoulders, and a mug gripped firmly in both hands.

“How are you feeling?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Rayna admitted. “I was sitting at my computer, scheduling classes and consultations for the week, and the pressing urge to do something about my situation hit me and just wouldn’t let go. The next thing I knew I was in a lawyer’s office having a motion drafted to have served to him.”

“Ray,” Harmony murmured. “I’m not Jackson’s number one fan, but I’m not heartless enough to ignore that you built a life with him. I know this can’t be easy for you.”

“It’s not,” Rayna admitted, blinking back tears. “I keep replaying our relationship and our marriage in my head, trying to pinpoint when everything changed, just to realize that nothing changed. Jackson has always been the piece of shit he is now. I was just blind to it.”

“We see what we want to see when we love someone. It’s human nature. But what’s important is that you realize how much more you deserve. The man you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with would never make you feel as low as he does.”

“As much as I know that I can’t be with him, I also don’t know what life looks like without him.”

“None of your finances are tied to him, right?” Harmony raised an eyebrow.

“No. We have a joint account that we deposit money into for bills, but per our prenup, he can’t touch anything regarding my business, and I can’t touch anything stemming from his.”

“With as controlling as he is, I’m surprised he agreed to that.”

“Well, considering that he spent the first two years that I was building Lustful Luxury telling me that it would never amount to anything, I think it’s safe to assume he never thought I would succeed or be able to support myself.”

“The more you reveal about this man, the more I want to stab him. I can’t believe you suffered in silence for so long.”

Rayna sighed. “I spent so much time thinking if I just stayed calm, didn’t complain too much, showed up for every event, every dinner, every damn birthday brunch… that he’d see me again. Like he used to.” She blinked hard. “But the truth is, he stopped looking a long time ago. And I honestly don’t know if he ever saw me.”

“Then that’s his loss,” Harmony responded fiercely. “You’re allowed to start over,” she said. “Even if you don’t know where the hell you’re going yet.”

Rayna chuckled, this time with a little more breath behind it. “You always say the right thing when I’m falling apart.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

“Are you going to get the rest of your things out of the house?” 

“After catching Jackson in our bed with another woman, I don’t even want to step over that threshold. I can replace material things, but I refuse to allow him to continue robbing me of my sanity. If he wants other women, he can have them.” 

“Brixton will be so happy to hear that you’re officially done with him.” 

“Oh please. That man is the biggest whore known to mankind.” 

“Not too much on my boy, now,” Harmony snickered. 

Rayna raised an eyebrow. “I know you’re going to sit here with a straight face and say that Brixton doesn’t get around?” 

“So God can strike me down? I don’t think so.” 

“Exactly.” 

“A man can change for the right woman, Ray,” Harmony continued to tease her friend, happy that she was smiling. 

“Don’t make me slap you,” Rayna threatened as Harmony’s phone pinged. 

Plucking it from the table, Harmony quickly scanned the email. “Oooooh.” 

“What?” 

“It’s an inquiry from a potential new client.” 

“Forever the workaholic.” 

“You know me,” Harmony smiled softly, returning her phone to the table. “But I’ll deal with that tomorrow. Tonight, it’s me and you.” 

As much as Harmony wanted to pretend that their impromptu girl’s night was for Rayna’s benefit, she needed it just as much. Because as much as she’d like to pretend otherwise, the memory of Alicia and Cedric had been burned in her memory since she’d left the restaurant with her mother, and she wasn’t sure if she could shake it.