I push Leo’s voice aside, hating that I’m still doing it nearly two months later, hating that during these last eight weeks I’ve hung out with Luna and Faye and Kailey and Bri enough times to find out…
Leo has a girlfriend.
He couldn’t wait to see me again.
Then couldn’t wait to tell me our night was just a night.
Now he has a girlfriend.
Cute.
Laughter rings out from the other room and I jerk, though thankfully my hands are well-away from the dessert.
“Focus, Harp,” I whisper.
I blow out a breath and quickly finish with the pieces of crystallized lemon peel. Then I give the tray a final once-over.
“Good,” I murmur before lifting it up from the counter.
From there, it’s short work to pass out the desserts. Cleaning up takes longer, just because it’s only me doing it, and even though I always do my best to wash as I cook and prep, things just…accumulate.
So, the party is winding down, goodbyes ringing through the air as I’m finishing loading up my car.
I slam the trunk, roll my shoulders, and press my hand to my stomach.
It’s upset, just riding the edge of queasiness, and I try to remember the last time I ate.
Since that remembering does nothing but draw a blank, I commit to swinging by In-N-Out on the way home—a double-double with well-done fries and a Neapolitan shake sounds killer right about now.
“Harper?”
I turn, see that Clara has come out.
Frowning, thinking she should be putting her feet up and calling it a night, I hurry over to her. Maybe I forgot something?
“Here,” she says when I get close, pressing an envelope into my hand.
A quick glance shows it’s cash. “Oh,” I say, trying to hand it back. “Your hubby already took care?—”
“I know.” She pushes it back. “That’s for you. Thank you for everything.”
“I—”
But my protest is cut off by her tight hug, her whispered, “For everything,” so I just hug her back and pocket the envelope.
“Congratulations again,” I tell her. “And thank you for being so wonderful.”
She steps back, smiles. “That’s my line.” Then she waves a hand. “Now, I’ve kept you here long enough. Go on. Get.”
I grin. “Night, Ms. VP.”
“Night, epic-caterer-who-makes-delicious-miniature-quiches-that-are-going-to-be-devoured-tomorrow.”
Laughing, I wave and head for my car then pull out onto the road and hit the highway.
But as the quiet hits me, so does the fatigue and the upset tummy…
And the upset heart.
