Coffee and Spice | Harvey | Stardew Valley

-18-

"So, you and Harvey, huh?"

Emily and I are sitting on my front porch in the rocking chairs I purchased from Robin a few weeks ago, shifting our weight rhythmically back and forth with our feet and steadily eating our way through a bowl of sliced apples from my orchard. There's a mild pleasantness about the day that made any form of rigorous activity seem discordant. Clouds scuttle across the sky in an endless pattern over the sun, throwing scattered patches of light across us periodically.

When I just give her a dismissive flick of my hand, she continues thoughtfully, "It's not like I hadn't been expecting it. I mean, he's obsessed with you. Anyone can see that."

"He is not obsessed with me," I snort, though her assertion fills me with an absurd amount of elation.

"He definitely is." Emily chomps down on another ruby-red apple slice. "He never stops looking at you whenever you're around. You can always tell by the eyes how someone really feels. Plus, he seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit this morning from what I could tell."

"Oh, my god, stop," I plead, shaking my head with a slightly hysterical laugh. "You weren't supposed to see any of that."

"Well, maybe you guys need to find a better hiding place then," she retorts. "I admire your resourcefulness - don't get me wrong - but I wouldn't call a closet at Gus's discreet. Next time, you should definitely go for somewhere less...predictable. Like, I don't know, that old community center or something. Nobody ever goes in there anymore except you anyways."

My face flamed at the memories her comment evoked of the community center, but luckily she wasn't looking my way. I recover quickly. "It's not like we planned it or anything. It just...happened. And I don't even know if it's going to happen again."

"Why not? Is it because of me? Look, next time I promise I'll knock or cough really loudly or something"

"It's not you. But thanks, I guess."

"Then what's the problem? You both like each other obviously."

It's so stupid how much the simple truth of her comment makes my heart race. I take a deep breath, hoping the crisp air in my lungs will calm it. "Because he's my doctor."

Emily raises her eyebrows. "So?"

"So," I repeat with emphasis. "We can't be seen together like that. He could get in serious trouble, Emily."

"It's not illegal, is it?" She asks.

I purse my lips. "No, I don't think it's actually illegal, but definitely unethical. I'm worried there could be repercussions if...if anything were to happen."

"Well, can't you just get another doctor?"

"Where? The closest town is at least forty minutes away. I don't have a car; I sold mine when I moved. And when's the last time you've seen a functioning bus around here? What if I get stabbed or - or lose an arm or...I don't know, get appendicitis?"

"Who's going to stab you?"

I throw her a look. "That was just hypothetical."

"Okay, I get your point," Emily mutters, reaching between us into the bowl. "Too bad Harvey's not a dentist, I feel like this would be much easier that way. Have you talked to him about all of this?"

"Um, a little," I say evasively, nibbling on my own apple slice. "I mean, we kind of talked about it...before."

"Hold on..." Emily sits up straighter, narrowing her eyes. "How long has this been going on?"

I bite my lip, hesitating. It's not like it would hurt anything now to tell Emily slim details about what happened the night after she and I first met. But I didn't really feel like going through the cumbersome logistics of mine and Harvey's weird friendship since then, especially since I didn't know where that friendship stood after our spontaneous makeout session. My face grows warm again as I remember Harvey's thumb grazing over my nipples through my bra and the heated look he had while he watched my reaction.