Nico:
Did you ever pick a place to take her?
Caden:
Bring her over here and we’ll get her warmed up for you
*winky face emoji*
Jack:
I’m sending the webcam link to everyone via email
It’s secure enough, but we should still proceed with caution
I glance at Jennifer, who is also on her phone before answering.
Me:
I’ve got her
The woodfire pizza place
Again I’ve got her
*eggplant emoji* *middle finger emoji*
Thanks, Jack, you’re my hero
Jack:
*black heart emoji*
I slide my phone into my pocket and catch Jennifer’s brown eyes so like Harper’s. Her brow clears as she watches me.
“What’s in this for you guys?” She cocks her eyebrow.
“You know Harper. Why wouldn’t we want to spend time with her?” I keep my tone calm and relaxed. Harper said it herself. Her mom would like Caden best because he wouldn’t put up a false front.
“You’ve all been in the same school for years. Why now?” Jennifer crosses her legs and leans back against the island.
“Because we were blind.” I shrug. “Why does anyone fall for anyone else? There’s attraction and the more you learn, the deeper you fall.”
Her brow furrows. “Fall?”
Fuck. Of course, that’s what her mother would focus on. There’s a part of me that truly believes if love exists, it would be embodied in Harper. But if I believe that my parents were once in love, then I know love doesn’t always survive. There’s got to be respect and loyalty to go with that love, and maybe that’s not even enough.
“We’re young.” I smile. “None of us knows what the future holds.”
It’s what parents want to hear. She won’t want to know we want to keep Harper. That she makes us whole.
When Harper walks into the kitchen, I stand to attention. She’s wearing a black skater skirt that falls to her knees, a pair of black Dr. Martens, and a Rolling Stones t-shirt. Her hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders.
She’s highlighted her eyes with almost black eyeliner. And those lips are a dark red. She leaves me breathless and speechless.
I can’t take my eyes off her. When I think of all the years we missed out on, I vow we’ll never miss another. She’s ours.
When her soft brown eyes collide with mine, I can move again.
