I arrived at Harper’s house at 7:30 p.m. No sooner had I climbed out of the car than Dash came flying out of the dark at me. He threw his arms around my waist, squeezing tight.
“Orion!”
“Hey, little man. How have you been?”
“I’m so glad you’re here! I made an entire castle and a dragon with my LEGOs. Come see, come see!”
I let him pull me up the sidewalk, breathing a nervous sigh about meeting Harper’s mother for the first time. I had no idea what to expect. Harper had told me she’d been going to meetings and wassober, but I felt like an intruder who possessed more information about her private life than I should.
The woman who met me at the door looked nothing like her daughter, blond hair going gray pulled into a ponytail, and tired eyes that widened to see my Aston Martin and then again at me in my dark-gray suit and maroon tie.
“So, you’re Orion,” she said. “Harper didn’t tell me you were so handsome.”
“Hello, Mrs. Bennett.”
“Ms.Bennett,” she said, shaking my hand. “Harper is still upstairs. Come in.”
The house was warm in the chill December air and smelled like cinnamon. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner, decorated and strung with yellow lights. Harper was self-conscious, but her house felt homey and warm compared to the castle-like monstrosity that was my childhood home.
Maybe she’ll bring some of her coziness with her.
“Over here, Orion.” Dash pulled me to his LEGOs on the coffee table.
“Wow, impressive, little man. You did this all by yourself?”
“Yep! It only took me three days.”
“Amazing.”
“He’s really taken with you,” Ms. Bennett said tightly. “You must’ve made quite the impression on him last time you were here.”
“No, it was nothing,” I said lightly. “We just watchedThe Princess Bride. His favorite part is the Rodents of Unusual Size. Isn’t that right, Dash? Becauseyouare a rodent of unusual size who must be vanquished by me, the Dread Pirate Roberts.”
I tackled him to the floor and tickled him while he laughed and kicked and squirmed, until I caught sight of Harper at the top of the stairs.
My breath stuck in my throat. “Holy shit.”
Dash, breathless and red-faced, giggled. “You said a bad word.”
Harper came downstairs in a dark-blue dress that brushed the floor. The top was low cut and revealed enough of her cleavage to make the blood flow straight to my prick. Her hair was piled up on her head, leaving a few curls loose and exposing her neck and shoulders. I now had the insatiable urge to bite and kiss and lick…
“Oh, Harper, you look lovely,” her mother said. “Where are you two going?”
Hermother, you wanker. Get it together.
“Newport,” I managed, and stood up when it was safe.
“Orion’s taking me out for seafood,” Harper said. I noticed for the first time that she carried a shoebox-sized gift, wrapped in red paper and tied with a green bow.
“That’s her favorite,” Dash said. “My favorite is Applebee’s. Will you take me to Applebee’s?”
“Dash.” Harper said. “Don’t be rude.”
“I’ll take you to Applebee’s, I promise.”
“Yay!” Dash stuck his tongue out at Harper, who flared her eyes at him.
“Have fun, you two,” her mother said. “Don’t stay out too late.”
