At the manager's request, she handed over her credit card for the application fee and deposit, her pulse quickening at this first concrete step toward her new life.
"We should hear back within 48 hours," the manager said with a smile, processing the payment. "I don't anticipate any problems, given the documents you've provided. The apartment's vacant, obviously, so you can move in as soon as you like once you're approved."
"Thank you so much," Harper told her. "I'll look forward to hearing from you."
Outside, the afternoon sun warmed Harper's skin as they walked to Katerina's car.
Harper turned to her friends with a bright smile. "Let's go look for a car. The sooner I get wheels, the better."
Becca's gray eyes widened in surprise. "Are you certain you don't want to look at the other places on your list? There were three more apartments we planned to see today."
"I figured we'd be apartment hunting all day," Katerina agreed, fishing her car keys from her purse. "I cleared my whole schedule."
Harper shook her head, the certainty warming her chest. "Sometimes you just know. The moment I walked in and saw that view of the woods, felt how peaceful it was..." She gestured toward the apartment building behind them. "It's perfect. The layout, the location, everything. Why waste time looking at other places when I've found exactly what I want?"
Our den,Reyna agreed contentedly in her mind.
"Besides," Harper continued, "I'd rather spend the time car shopping. That's going to be enough of a challenge on its own."
Katerina unlocked her car with a chirp. "Well then, let's go find you some wheels. You can't keep depending on Ubers to get around forever."
"No, definitely not! I'll feel a lot more free once I've got my own car, for sure." Harper slid into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt. "It feels kinda like being grounded when I was a teenager."
As they pulled out of the parking lot, Harper's spirits soared. A new apartment, soon a new car - piece by piece, she was building the life she'd always dreamed of.
Chapter 12
Four hours later,having thanked her friends for their company and bidden them goodbye, Harper pulled up to the inn in her brand new, shiny, cherry red Mustang. She'd been a bit disappointed that it hadn't been immediately available as a convertible; she'd have had to wait a week or more if she wanted a convertible in this color. However, Katerina pointed out that a convertible wasn't entirely appropriate for the heavy winters they had here in New York. Which, she supposed, was a fair point. Still, she liked the bright, cheerful color of it, and the cream-colored interior, which wasn't going to soak up the summer heat the way black would.
She parked in the small parking lot behind the inn, and got out of the car, standing back to admire it.
Her head turned at an enthusiastic whistle, and she spotted Angus lounging in the entryway, his eyes fixed appreciatively on the vehicle. "Sweet ride!"
She grinned, feeling a glow of pride. "Yep! It's actually my first new car. My old one, that I sold when I left San Francisco, I bought used from my older sister when I graduated from college."
"For a first ever new car, you did good."
"I also found an apartment, I've got an application in. They have to run the credit check and references, but I should know tomorrow if I'm approved." She scrunched up her nose. "I can't think why I wouldn't be. But, I don't want to jinx it by thinking it's a sure thing."
"That's wise," Angus observed with a nod. "You have anything you need brought up to your room?"
"No, it's just me and my purse," she said. "But thanks for asking."
"Sure thing." With a friendly nod, he headed inside.
Her hand poised to grasp the ornate doorknob of the inn door, she paused as the sudden trill of her phone shattered the quiet evening air. She fumbled in her purse, pulling it out. Her breath caught in her throat when Nathan's name illuminated the screen, a mix of excitement and nervousness flooding through her veins. For a moment, she stood frozen, torn between answering the call and following Angus inside.
"Hello?" she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Hi Harper, it's Nathan." His warm voice flowed through the speaker, sending a flutter through her chest. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out for that dinner we talked about?"
A thrill ran through her, electrifying every nerve ending. Harper's grip on the phone tightened as she fought to keep her voice steady. "Yes, I'd love to!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a rush of excitement.
"Great!" Nathan's enthusiasm was palpable, matching her own. "I could pick you up if you'd like? Say about an hour and a half? That should give us both time to get ready."
"Actually," Harper said, a hint of pride in her voice, "I can meet you there in my new car."
Nathan's warm laugh came through the phone. "A new car? That's exciting! Alright then, how about Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant? It's on 5th and Main."
