"That sounds perfect for you," he said, his warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. "The view of the woods must be breathtaking. I can almost picture you sitting by the window, basking in that dappled sunlight." He paused, considering for a moment. "When do you move in if you get it? I'd be happy to help if you need an extra pair of hands."
Harper wrinkled her nose. "My furniture and belongings won't be here for another week," she said. "The moving van is on its way, but they have other stops to make along the way. I was so desperate to get out of California, I hired a professional moving company to not only load up my belongings and transport them out here, but they packed everything up on that end as well. I just handed them my keys and got on a plane. On this end, though, they'll unload everything from the van. All I have to do is say where I want the furniture, and all the boxes are markedwhich rooms they go in. But I'm on my own for the actual unpacking."
Nathan's eyes twinkled with mischief, a grin spreading across his face as an idea sparked in his mind. He leaned forward conspiratorially, his sandy brown hair falling slightly over his forehead. "You know what? You should have an unpacking party," he suggested, his voice low and playful. "Invite Jacinth, Katerina, and Becca. It'll be a great way to settle in and get to know everyone better." He paused, his warm brown eyes dancing with humor. "I'll even volunteer as a martyred sacrifice to help place things up high that you ladies can't reach. My long arms might as well be put to good use, right?"
Harper's eyes lit up at the idea, her initial hesitation melting away like snow in spring sunshine. "That's brilliant!" she exclaimed, her smile matching Nathan's infectious grin. Excitement bubbled up inside her, chasing away the last traces of uncertainty. "And I could ask Kester to bring some pans of Greek food from Kazakis Restaurant. Oh, the moussaka and spanakopita would be perfect!" Her mind raced with possibilities, imagining the warmth of new friendships mingling with the enticing aromas of Mediterranean cuisine. The prospect of turning this empty space into a home filled with laughter and shared meals suddenly seemed not just possible, but wonderfully inevitable.
The waitress approached their table, carrying two steaming plates. "Here we go," she announced. "Chicken marsala?" She looked between them questioningly.
"That's mine," Harper said, inhaling the rich aroma of mushrooms and wine sauce as the plate was set before her. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation.
"And the veal parmesan for you, sir." The waitress placed Nathan's dish in front of him with practiced efficiency.
"Thank you," Harper told her warmly. The presentation was beautiful - tender chicken breast nestled on a bed of pasta, the marsala sauce glossy and dotted with perfectly sautéed mushrooms. Fresh parsley added a pop of vibrant green.
Smells good, Reyna approved, though the fox would have preferred her meat much rarer.
The waitress topped off their water glasses. "Can I get you anything else?"
"No, thank you. This looks perfect," Harper replied. She picked up her fork, the weight of it solid and reassuring in her hand. The rich aromas wafting up from her plate made her mouth water.
The waitress smiled and stepped away, leaving them to enjoy their meals. Harper carefully spread her napkin across her lap, sneaking a glance at Nathan. The candlelight caught the warm highlights in his sandy hair as he arranged his own napkin. Such an ordinary gesture, and yet it made her heart flutter.
"So," Nathan said. "What will we drink with our Greek feast? I could bring beer, and some of my favorite craft ales. We can pair them with the Greek dishes."
"Oh no, you don't," Harper cut him off, wagging a finger playfully. "You're already helping unpack. You're not bringing anything else."
Nathan's laughter mingled with hers, warm and rich against her lighter tones. As their amusement faded to content smiles, he leaned forward, elbows resting on the smooth surface of the table. His brown eyes, flecked with gold in the light, fixed on her with keen interest.
"How was your first week at work?" he asked, genuine interest coloring his voice.
Harper's smile faded, her gaze dropping to her plate. She pushed a piece of pasta around with her fork, suddenly finding the intricate swirls of the sauce fascinating.
Nathan's brow furrowed, concern etching deep lines across his forehead. His eyes, warm and attentive, searched Harper's face for clues to her sudden change in mood. "Harper?" he pressed gently, his voice soft but insistent, a mix of worry and genuine care coloring his tone. "The hostile harpies again?"
She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly, and the fork in her hand clinked against the plate as she set it down, her appetite seemingly vanishing. "They're not giving up. In fact, they're getting worse," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
His hand squeezed hers tighter, his thumb moving in comforting circles as she spoke. "That's awful. Harper, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. Have you spoken to your manager about it?"
Harper shook her head, her eyes downcast. "That's the worst part. I can't," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle clink of cutlery around them. "I'd look and feel like an idiot, complaining about such trivial, petty things." She raised her gaze to meet Nathan's, her amber eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "It would make me look childish, and worse than them. It's a no-win situation, and I have no idea how to cope."
Nathan's brow furrowed deeper, his concern evident in the tightening of his jaw.
Harper continued, her words tumbling out in a rush, "All I can do is keep my head down and do my job, and hope they'll lose interest in me." She paused, taking a deep breath before adding, "I've tried to minimize the damage they can do. There are lockers in the employee break room, and I have a good lock for mine, and I got a cooler for my lunch that will fit in there. And I keep my pens locked away when I leave my desk. That kind of thing." Her shoulders slumped slightly. "It's all I can think of to do."
Nathan's grip on her hand tightened, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin. The warmth of his touch seemed to ground her. Harper shook her head, stopping he before he could speak.
"It's okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "Despite everything, I actually love my job. The clients I work with as a personal finance advisor... it's so rewarding to help them." She paused, her expression brightening as she considered the positive aspects of her work. "There's something incredible about guiding people through their financial journeys, seeing them achieve their goals. It makes all the other stuff... well, not worth it exactly, but bearable."
Her face lit up as she spoke about her work, the earlier distress melting away. "There's this couple I'm helping plan for their retirement. They thought they'd never be able to stop working, but we've found a way to make it happen in just ten years. Seeing their relief, their hope... it makes all the other stuff trivial."
They both stilled as their waitress approached with a warm smile. She deftly collected their empty plates, her movements practiced and efficient.
"Can I interest either of you in dessert tonight?" she asked, her voice cheerful and inviting.
Harper shook her head, a rueful smile on her face. "Oh, I couldn't possibly," she said, patting her stomach gently. "Everything was delicious, but I'm absolutely stuffed."
Nathan glanced at Harper, his eyes twinkling. "How about an after-dinner coffee?" he suggested. "It might be nice to linger a bit longer."
