Page 12 of Capture The Moment

“Where are you going?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“Finn…”

“Harper.”

She sighed. “We’re going ice skating, ok? It’s no big deal. But thanks for asking.” The sarcasm dripped from her voice, but she couldn’t help herself. Finn was acting like a big bully instead of a friend, and she didn’t appreciate it.

“Sorry. I’m just not used to—”

“Hearing that I have a date? I know. I’m not used to saying it either. But I want to do this Finn. I have to try.”

He backed down a little then. “Ok. Well, I’ll just reschedule with Rick.”

“You know, I could have handled it on my own. I thought you were going to give me his number.”

“I was, but I thought you might need my help. I know my way around cars.”

And women too, she thought. He was probably used to women jumping at his beck and call, but that wasn’t her. On the other hand, he was just trying to help… “Ok, fine. Let me look at my calendar.” She flipped through the pages of her desk calendar and said, “How about next Thursday? I’m free after four o’clock.”

“Ok. I’ll see if Rick’s available and let you know. Oh, and Harper, have fun ice skating.”

Something about the way he said it made her feel uncomfortable, but she wasn’t sure why. Must have been guilt rearing its ugly head again. But it was just ice-skating! “Thanks. Talk to you later.”

After she hung up, she sat there and stared into space for a while. What would Blake have thought about Burberry? Great, now she was referring to Will the way Finn had! It wasn’t fair. Will seemed like a great guy, and he’d be the first guy she’d gone out with since Blake’s death. She owed it to herself to take this step, despite what Finn or anyone else thought.

Shoving herself up from her desk, she went into her bedroom to get ready for bed. Daisy was already curled up in a tight ball at the end of the bed, where she’d slept every night since Harper had owned her. While Daisy had a crate with a comfy dog bed inside it, she preferred to sleep with her owner instead, and Harper liked it too. After sleeping with Blake for so many years, she’d grown accustomed to the sound of someone else’s breathing and movements during the night. Daisy was a lot smaller than her husband, but she still provided some comfort on those long, lonely nights when Harper had trouble sleeping. Her sleep had improved over the past few months, but sometimes, she awakened in the middle of the night from a bad dream and looked for Blake’s arms to comfort her. And then she’d remember that Blake wasn’t there and never would be again, and it’d take her an hour or two to get back to sleep. Those were the nights when she was especially grateful for Daisy, whose even breathing would help lull her back to sleep.

She had just snuggled under the covers and cracked open her book about learning to live with the loss of a loved one when her phone rang again.

“Geez. It’s like Grand Central around here tonight,” she answered with a laugh.

“Did he call?”

“Who?”

“Will!”

“Yes. As if you didn’t know!”

Julia laughed. “Well, I didn’t know for sure. He said he was going to, but I thought he might chicken out.”

“Why? Am I that intimidating?”

“No. I think he’s just trying to be respectful of your situation. He doesn’t want to scare you off.”

“My situation, huh? It’s not like I have a disease, Jules. Besides, it’s been a long time since Blake…”

“I know,” Julia said, saving her from having to say the dreaded word. “Will is just being cautious.”

Cautious. Funny, that wasn’t a word she’d associate with the other men in her life. She’d always described Blake as a go-getter. When he’d wanted something, he’d gone after it, in both his personal and professional life. Finn was like that too, which was another reason he and Blake had been such good friends. They’d shared a similar outlook on life, and it was one she’d always admired.

“I understand. I’m being cautious too. But ice skating seemed like a good first date, so I said yes.”

“I’m so glad. I hope you two have fun.”