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Robin needed to process this before she asked him. She needed to decide once and for all if this was a matter of the heart, or if this was about justice. It was hard to pick when he stood there grinning at her and looking like the world’s best snack.
Dad had taught her one thing, men weren’t always the champions they needed to be. They were flawed humans that often failed.
Robin couldn’t fail Mom again.
This had to be about justice. Her heart couldn’t get involved.
He grinned then gestured to the counter. “Might I interest you in my meat?”
She felt her face flush, but she didn’t let him throw her off. She was getting used to him. “Oh, is it tasty meat? Hm?”
“Only the best for you. What will you have?”
Robin crossed to lean on the bar. “I have one question for you…”
“Ask me anything. I know all there is to know about my meat.”
“Any chance you’d be interested in going to Florida for a week or so?” She smiled her sweetest smile and showed her phone screen to him. “Dad just messaged me to ask if you’d consider joining us on our trip to Miami.”
Harper just stared at her, mouth slightly open, and blinked. It was as if he didn’t understand her words in the slightest.
Was it her? Did he not want to spend that much time with her or her family?
“Wow. That’s a big deal, isn’t it?” he finally said.
She put on a brave face and merely shrugged, all while her heart broke a little. So this was it. He didn’t really want to be with her. So what were they doing? “You don’t have to go.”
He gripped the counter with both hands then tilted his head to the side. His mouth screwed up into an expression she couldn’t quite label. What was with him?
Harper walked around the counter and held out his hand.
The last thing she wanted to do at this moment was to touch him or be touched.
She balled her hands into fists. “If you don’t want to go, just say it.”
“It’s not that simple,” he said softly and wiggled his fingers.
What else was there? How was this not simple?
Curious and unable to say no, she took his hand.
Her heart was involved no matter what her mind decided.
Harper led her to the sofa and sat, one leg curled under him so he could face her. She sat mirroring him while he held on to her hand. For a moment they remained there like that while he stared at the worn upholstery and stroked his thumb over her fingers.
“I don’t know how to say this, and I know things have been a little off, so…” Harper lifted his chin. The normal smile and jovial air was gone, leaving behind a man she didn’t think she knew all that well. “I don’t like the way your family treats you, and it’s really hard for me to make nice with them. But they’re your family and I know you care about them. I’m having a hard time wanting to be with you while needing to be around them. I get that it’s a packaged deal. I’m just saying… I don’t know. The idea of spending a week with you in Florida wearing tiny bikinis sounds great until you tell me your dad and uncle will be there.”
Robin could only stare at him.
Talk about a roller coaster.
Holy shit.
Things were weird because he wanted her to be treated better? Had she heard him right?
“I guess you could say…” His shoulders dropped, and he sighed. “I’ve probably made this really weird.”
“No, actually. I’m just processing all of that. The way you were acting, I thought you liked my dad and uncle.”
