“I was looking for you.”
She giggles. “You normally barge in demanding to see Avery.”
We walk into the living room, and I plonk onto the couch. “Well, I’m trying to be more considerate. She’s getting older, noise will disturb her.”
Harper raises an eyebrow. “What’s the real reason?”
She can always see through my bullshit. There’s no point lying. “I don’t want to see Hayden. I was making sure he wasn’t here.”
Flicking out her wrist, Harper checks the time on her watch. “Finn won’t be home for another couple of hours. I’m not expecting Hayden to drop by, so you’re safe.”
“You saying ‘I’m not expecting to see him,’ doesn’t reassure me that he won’t drop by. Call Finn and make sure. Or I’m leaving.”
“Why are you running away from Hayden? Weren’t you there the other night helping with Lily’s dance studio?”
“Yes, and then he kicked me out of the house.”
“What!” Harper’s eyes widen.
“I’m exaggerating, but that’s how it felt. He couldn’t get me out of the house quick enough.”
Harper sits next to me. “You need to explain what happened.”
I tell her about arriving in a car he sent for me. Giving my advice about the room, and how he wanted to send me home with his driver because it was quicker than an Uber.
Rubbing her fingers across her brow, Harper says, “You think he kicked you out because it was quicker to get you home with his driver and car?”
I nod. “He couldn’t make it more obvious that he wanted to get rid of me.”
“Maybe he offered you his car and driver because it was the safest option? Or more convenient for you?”
I take a moment to think. Shit. Could that have been the reason? “If that’s the case, I feel like an idiot.”
“Hayden isn’t a bad guy. He’s just been through a lot.”
I’m curious as to what he’s been through but don’t ask.
The phone on the coffee table rings. Harper picks it up and says, “I don’t have to call Finn—he’s Facetiming me now.” After swiping to answer, she beams with a smile as she looks at her phone. “You know, now that you’re back at work full time, you don’t have to FaceTime me every hour to see if I’m okay.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Your face is better to look at than these two ugly mugs behind me.”
Harper giggles. “Say hi to Hayden and Lucas for me.”
“Are you and Avery okay? Do you need me to come home early?” Finn sounds like that’s exactly what he wants to do. He’s so in love with Harper and Avery it’s beautiful to see this little family in their own bliss bubble.
“We’re fine. Avery is in her room sleeping. Stop worrying about us. Besides, Alyssa is here. She’s going to help me with the last-minute details for when the party planner arrives.”
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll come straight home.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you more.”
“Come on, Finn, that mushy talk is making me sick,” someone says in the background.
“Fuck off, Lucas. You’ll get your turn one day,” Finn grumbles.
“No fucking way.”
