Here it comes. Wait for it… “My landlord.” She plucked at the beads on the pillow in her hand. “Maybe.” She shrugged. “I mean, he’s offered me the apartment next door for the summer, while I’m watching Drew. It’s just a matter of convenience, since I have to be there in the morning anyhow and I’m going to cook for them—”
“Cooking for them?” she asked, smirking. “That’s part of the deal?”
Harper shrugged. “It’s no big deal. You know how much I love cooking and that poor kid is getting tired of the same old, so it’s the least I can do, for his sake.”
“Right, for his sake,” Jude said, rolling her tongue in her cheek.
“Besides, he’s paying me more than I make at my regular job, plus expenses, so it’s not like he’s trying to take advantage.”
“No, Deke would never take advantage of you, I know that.” Her naughty grin spread. “He’d want you to be a willing participant, for sure.”
“Oh shut up!” Harper knew her best friend was going to give her grief over the arrangement, but it didn’t make her question her decision. She was doing this because she needed the money and genuinely liked Drew. “Enough about me. What happened with you last night?” She was hoping for the g-rated version, knowing little ones had big ears.
Jude sighed contentedly, resting her head on the cushion behind her head. “Let’s just say it was worth the wait.”
Harper raised her hand, smiling. “Enough said, for now. You can give me more details later. But seriously, I’m glad you finally got what you wanted. Enough to get him out of your system?”
“Hell no. We’re going out after work tonight, Late dinner and drinks.”
“Good for you.” It had been a long time since her best friend had a good man in her life and she couldn’t be happier that she was finally getting to live out one of her fantasies. Even if it didn’t evolve into the great love of her life, she could finally get him out of her system and move on.
“Yeah, so about you moving out on me…”
“I didn’t say I was. I just told you Deke offered me the apartment. I wouldn’t make any decisions without talking to you first. You were nice enough to let me stay here and I know the extra money helps you.”
“Well…” She bit her lip, looking uncharacteristically nervous. “You know Jason’s been staying in his parent’s loft apartment since the divorce, right?”
“Uh huh.” She could guess where this was going. “And?”
“It’s kind of bringing him down. He’s been on his own for a long time—”
“And can’t wait to get out of there?”
“Right.” She licked her lips, avoiding eye contact with Harper. “But he doesn’t want to spend a lot because he’s saving up for another house.”
“Makes sense.” No way would Harper make this difficult for her friend. Jude had always been there for her and she wanted her to be happy. “So invite him to move in here.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” she asked, rubbing her forehead. “God, I don’t want to screw this up. I’ve been waiting so long for a shot with this guy and—”
“Relax.” It was strange to see her friend, who was normally so self-assured and confident, second-guessing herself. “Just mention to him that I’m moving out and you’ll have to look for another roommate. If he volunteers, problem solved. If he doesn’t, you’ll know he’s not ready.”
“That makes sense.” She nodded. “But are you sure about living with Deke—”
“I’m not living with Deke!” She lowered her voice, glancing down the hall. “I’m living next door. And it’s simply a matter of convenience, I promise. But the apartment is beautiful, I have to say, so it won’t be a hardship. Did you know he owns six buildings like that one? Has something like sixty-nine rental units.”
Jude’s mouth formed an O. “Wow, sounds like our boy is rolling in it.”
“I know, weird, right?” She released a breath. “Hard to think of Deke as rich, but I guess he is.”
“You can’t tell me that doesn’t make him even harder to resist.” Jude laughed. “I’m not saying you’re a gold digger, I know you’re not. But money sure does make life easier, and that guy is so crazy about you, you know he’d treat you like a freakin’ princess. Spoil you rotten.”
Harper’s tummy quivered, not because of the princess comment but because her best friend believed her first love was still crazy about her. “Deke and I barely know each other anymore. Besides, he dumped me—”
“Yeah, like a lifetime ago, girl. You need to get over it. You can’t continue holding his past sins against him.”
Harper wished it was as easy for her to let go of the past.
“Was breaking up with you a bonehead move? Yes! Especially since he was clearly still in love with you. But we all do dumb things when we’re young.” Their eyes met and she said, “Don’t judge him based on the boy he used to be. Judge him on the man he is today.”
