Zoey stared at Harriet, trying to understand the gravity of what she was saying. She shut her eyes, covering her face with her hands, unsure if Harriet was making fun of her situation.
"Harriet," Zoey said quietly, "I appreciate the gesture, but I can't use the daughter of my boss and Riley's sister. You know how much respect I have for your family. I don't think I canâ"
"Then date me instead," Harriet replied, locking eyes with her. Zoey paused, slowly uncovering her face and meeting those delicate hazel eyes.
"Stop messing around," Zoey said, laughing nervously to ease her uneasiness. "You're talking nonsense right now, you know that?"
"Why? Don't you want to date me?" Harriet asked, squinting at her.
Zoey cleared her throat. "It's not thatâ"
"Then date me," Harriet insisted.
"Are you even in your right mind?" Zoey asked, studying Harriet's expression. "Harriet, you come from a wealthy familyâ"
"And? Does that mean I can't date you?"
"What the hell is your deal?" Zoey said, clutching the coat that still covered her.
"I don't know. I just want to date you," Harriet replied matter-of-factly, as if discussing the weather.
Zoey laughed lightly. "Getting involved with the Pierces isn't on my bucket list, you know? I don't intend to..." She paused, feeling a lump form in her throat.
"You don't intend to what?" Harriet asked, looking at her expectantly.
"Gosh, Harriet," Zoey said, "I was just scared of Markus earlier, and now you're bringing up dating?"
"Aren't we both benefiting from this?" Harriet sighed.
Zoey stood up, folding Harriet's coat before handing it back. "Stop this already, please," she pleaded. The more she talked with Harriet about it, the more she felt a desire to give it a chance. After all, she hadn't been in a relationship since Markus had cheated on her.
"You're a good person, Harriet, and I don't want to use you for my own benefit," Zoey said, preparing to leave, but Harriet stopped her.
"Just give me a shot, Zoey," Harriet urged, lifting her chin defiantly. Zoey looked into Harriet's eyes, which seemed to convey a depth of feeling. Is this how the Pierces pursue their love interests? Zoey scoffed internally.
"Doc," Zoey said, reaching for Harriet's cheeks, "You're not sick, so stop this," she teased, pinching Harriet's cheeks playfully.
"Ow!" Harriet exclaimed, trying to pry Zoey's hands away from her face.
Harriet sighed as she followed Zoey from behind, their footsteps echoing in the quiet parking lot. She shoved her hands into her pockets, clicking her tongue as she watched Zoey stroll slowly in front of her, seemingly lost in the night cityscape.
"I told you not to walk me to the parking lot," Zoey said, stopping to turn around and face Harriet.
Harriet shrugged. "I'm just making sure you're safe." She gulped, taking in Zoey's face, which bore signs of swollen eyes from crying.
"I'm alright," Zoey replied, looking away. Harriet sensed that Zoey was lying; she could tell by the way she avoided direct eye contact.
"Zoey," Harriet called softly as she approached her. Zoey looked up, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"What is it?" she asked, her gaze slightly upward since Harriet was taller.
Without a response, Harriet cupped both of Zoey's cheeks and leaned in, pressing her lips against Zoey's. Zoey's eyes widened in shock, and she blinked in disbelief. Harriet pulled back, a slight smile on her face.
"What theâ!" Zoey exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise. Harriet simply laughed softly, acting as if nothing had happened.
"What did you do that for? We're in public!" Zoey yelled, her voice tight with frustration as she tried to nudge Harriet with her shoulder bag.
"What if we're in public? Does that mean we can only kiss in private?" Harriet replied, flashing a playful grin.
"Oh gosh!" Zoey cried, covering her ears as the memory of the earlier incident rushed back. "Stop!"
Harriet cleared her throat. "Tomorrow's your day off, right?"
Zoey paused, lifting her chin as she nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"Can I invite you out again?" Harriet leaned forward, a smile brightening her face. "We'll go to the bar. Riley will join us, and she'll be with Sienna, while Nyx is with Vera... that leaves me alone." She laughed lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Not that you're required to come, but I hope you can make it," Harriet added, rubbing the side of her neck and looking away shyly.
"Why not invite someone else?" Zoey asked, raising an eyebrow.
Harriet tilted her head, sincerity shining in her eyes. "I don't have anyone else," she replied plainly.
"But you're looking for someone, right?" Zoey pressed.
"Actually, I'm looking for the woman I want right now," Harriet said, smiling at her. Zoey's heart raced, a warmth creeping into her cheeks.
"Can you come? Will you?" Harriet stepped closer, her eyes hopeful.
"Why me, Harriet?" Zoey asked, her tone suddenly serious. "Why do you want me? I don't have anything you can be proud of," she said softly.
"I want you, just you, Ms. Zoey Foster," Harriet said gently. "I don't even know what's happening to me right now," she laughed nervously, "But I want you to be mine."
Zoey gulped, feeling the intensity in Harriet's eyes. "But I want you to be mine," echoed in her mind. She chuckled and tried to shrug it off. "You're unbelievable," she said, a mix of disbelief and amusement in her voice.
"Why?"
"If your mother finds outâmy bossâshe'll definitely object to this outrageousness of yours," Zoey replied, laughing awkwardly.
"Why would she?" Harriet countered, a playful smirk on her face. "It's not like she doesn't have any idea. After all, what can she do if all her daughters are into girls? We're all adults and working here."
"Waitâwhat? What do you mean, she knows?" Zoey's eyes widened in surprise.
"Well, do you really think Mom isn't observant? She might not stick her nose into her daughters' business, but she can figure things out pretty quickly. I doubt she would oppose us, though. They've always been supportive of us, both of them. So, I don't see anything wrong with me wanting you."
Harriet looked at her and sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "You should go home. It's late."
Zoey glanced back at Harriet, turning away to avoid her gaze. She heaved a sigh before finally looking up. "If I give you a shot, what's in it for me?"
Harriet blinked, momentarily confused. "What?"
Zoey laughed lightly and faced her again. "I'm asking if I give you a shot, what should I get in return?"
Harriet took a step back, clearing her throat. "Well, you'd get a beautiful and charming girlfriend, plus an instant bodyguard if you want one. What else...?" Harriet tilted her head, placing her index finger on her chin. "I think you'd have a full-package girlfriend."
Zoey chuckled, shaking her head. "You're so full of yourself, Doc." She turned and started to walk away.
"Wait, Zoeyâdoes that mean..."
Zoey looked back, tiptoed, and playfully patted Harriet's head. "Be a good girl, Doc, and get back to work. I'll see you tomorrow, I guess." She smiled before walking off.
Harriet watched Zoey's retreating figure, bewildered. "Zoey!" she shouted, calling for her attention as she was still within earshot. "See you tomorrow, girlfriend!" she called out, waving like a child.
"Shut up!" Zoey called back, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. "Bye!" she waved, suppressing her laughter as her cheeks flushed.
Maybe, just maybe, it's not so wrong to try being in a relationship again... this time, with a Pierce, Zoey thought to herself as she sighed, driving home.