“And Harper’s amazing with kids. She’s not only a teacher, but seeing her with Drew—”
“Enough!” Deke raised his hand, before drawing a deep breath. “You’re not tellin’ me anything I don’t already know. You think I’m not pissed at myself for all the years we wasted? I never stopped loving that girl, can’t imagine I ever will. And it’s because of my stupidity that she’s not wearing my ring right now. I have to live with that, okay? And let’s just say it’s eatin’ me up inside.”
He and Donski rarely talked about their feelings. They were guys. But there were times when only someone who’d known him as long as his best friend and understood his history with Harper, would get it.
“Sorry,” Donski muttered, “didn’t mean to pick the scab.”
The wound had healed a long time ago, but the scars ran deep. “Look, I know you’re only trying to help.” Deke covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows in his knees. “You don’t wanna see me screw this up again—”
“I was there the last time, remember? Never thought you’d get over the shit that went between you and Harper.”
Deke wasn’t sure he had gotten over it. He’d just learned how to deal. To relegate it to the back of his mind, so it wasn’t gnawing at him every day. And when he heard she’d officially moved on, and promised to marry someone else, he’d slowly started to let go of the fantasy that one day she’d come back to their hometown and him.
“I just never thought I’d get this chance again, ya know? When I heard she was marrying someone else I thought that was it. It was over.” He shook his head. “It’s crazy. It’d been over for years, but it didn’t feel like it was over until I heard she’d set a wedding date.”
“You know how lucky you are to be getting a second chance with her?” Donski swore softly when the game ended with a loss. “Don’t blow it this time.”
“I don’t intend to, believe me.”
Harper was slowly becoming an important part of Drew’s life, the mother-figure he’d always needed. And his kid brother had always loved Harper, so Deke had no doubt he’d be pleased she was spending so much time with his son.
“Sounds like someone’s home,” Donski said, gesturing to the door between his apartment and Harper’s. “Which is my cue to leave. Thanks for dinner, it was great.” He stood up, stretching. “Anytime Harper wants to cook for me, I’m game.”
“I grilled the steaks,” Deke grumbled, knowing they paled in comparison to the rest of her spread.
“Yeah, you guys are a pretty good team,” Donski said, slapping his friend on the back as they walked towards the door. “You wanna grab a beer on Friday night?”
“Can’t. I’m heading into the city with Drew and Harper to catch a ball game.”
Donski’s grin spread. “Maybe I was wrong about you movin’ too slow. You spendin’ the night?”
“Yeah.” He rolled his tongue in his cheek. “Separate rooms.”
Donski tipped his head, studying Deke. “Why? So you’ll have privacy?”
Damn. He knew him too well. Deke opened the door and shoved him out into the hall. “I’ll text you when we get back.”
“You better,” he called over his shoulder as he headed down the hall. “I want details.”
“In your dreams, man.”
Deke closed the door softly before glancing towards the other door in the room. It was late. He knew he should let Harper get some rest, but he wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t curious about her evening with… her old friend.
He tapped on the door gently, promising himself he would only knock once and would head to bed if she didn’t answer. But she did answer… and his mouth started to water when he saw what she was wearing. Short black cotton shorts that barely covered her delectable backside, and a black tank with spaghetti straps, sans bra.
“Hey.” He tried to stop his eyes from wandering, but couldn’t help himself. There was just so much eye candy he didn’t know where to stop and start.
“Hey.” She slid her index finger under his chin, forcing him to look into her eyes. Fortunately she was smiling, so he didn’t think she was offended by his blatant perusal.
“You got changed quick.”
She looked amused when she said, “Doesn’t take long to change out of a dress with a built-in bra when you’re going commando.”
He scowled. “Commando? Why the hell—”
“You’re too easy.” She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into her apartment before locking her arms around his neck. “You’re cute when you’re jealous, by the way. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that before.”
“You haven’t.” His hands were wandering, all over her body, but she didn’t seem to mind. “And for the record, I’m not cute. Or jealous.”
