Harper crosses his arms, his jaw tightening. “And then what? You just keep running?”
I shrug. “Why not? I’ve done it before.” Leaving everything behind and starting over has never caused me any grief before. I barely know Harper, so this time shouldn’t be any different.
So why do I feel so guilty?
“Have you considered that you don’t have to be alone anymore?” Harper pushes off the dresser, closing the distance between us. Close enough that I catch the faint scent of his aftershave. “You could stop running and actually build a life for once. One with friends and stability and more than this.” He gestures around at the cheap, impersonal hotel room and my half-packed belongings. “Always looking over your shoulder, always one step ahead of whatever’s chasing you.”
Of course it would be amazing to stay in one place and put down roots and have a life. Once I started figuring out this supernatural stuff, I actually thought I could have that. Maybe a small apartment with actual furniture I picked out, a plant I’d struggle to keep alive, and people who’d notice if I disappeared.
But when I went in search of family and a place to belong, I found Rowan instead.
Is having Harper in my life really gonna change anything? Do I want him to?
“What about this?” Harper walks over to the nightstand and picks up the enchanted music box he won for me at the carnival. I’d almost forgotten about it in my panic to leave. “If you are leaving, at least take it with you as a reminder.”
“A reminder of what?” I ask quietly.
He’s standing too close and his eyes don’t leave mine as he answers, “That someone cares if you disappear.”
The simple box suddenly feels so heavy when he places it in my hands.
“You do?” I ask, staring down at the box wondering what tune would play now if I opened it. “The end of the night after the carnival didn’t go so well.”
He huffs out what might be a laugh. “Dodger, you’re packing up and running for your life.”
That extremely obvious statement has me lifting my head to glare at him. “Yeah, I know.”
“That’s why I didn’t…” He looks down at his hands, clearing his throat. “Figured there were other priorities.”
Like Asher Rowan’s creepy evilness hanging over my head. Or figuring out my powers. Yeah, this is so not the time to prioritize my love life, but Harper… he makes things confusing. Does this mean he does want to kiss me? Do I still want to kiss him?
“All I can tell you,” he continues, “is that I’d like it if you stick around.”
Damn it. Who am I kidding? There’s no point getting locked into a stupid lie like my cheese excuse again, not when the truth is so obvious. I think I’d like to stick around too.
Well, with one exception.
“Look, I can’t stay here,” I start.
Harper’s expression shifts, pain flashing across his features before he schools it into something more neutral. His shoulders tense as he steps aside, clearing my path to the door.
“Well, I can’t stop you,” he says tightly.
I clutch the music box tighter and shake my head. “I mean, not in the hotel,” I clarify quickly. “Rowan knows you’re here, and it’s too risky.”
Harper blinks, processing my words. “Oh. Right.”
“I need somewhere else to stay. Somewhere Rowan wouldn’t think to look.”
“For now, we can switch rooms again. I’ll work on something for tomorrow,” he promises. He clears his throat, shoulders slowly loosening as it sinks in that I’m not leaving after all.
I keep telling myself I don’t want a mate. It was the last thing on my mind, even after cheese. But somehow, I find it hard to say no to Ethan Harper. The thought of never seeing him again… I’m not ready for that.
Are Gargoyles Cuter than Dogs?
