Page 27 of Capture The Moment

She’d just sat down at a high-top table for two when Will walked in the door, shaking the snow off the shoulders of his wool coat. And there, peeking out from his collar, was the Burberry scarf. His reddish-brown hair was tousled from the wind, and his cheeks were a bit pink, but she thought he looked kind of—cute, sweet, non-threatening? Oh no! That had been Finn’s term. She was still trying to think of a good descriptor for Will when he rushed up to the table and sat down.

“Good to see you,” he said with a warm smile.

“You too,” she replied and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly she’d responded.

“I looked for your car in the parking lot, but I didn’t see it.”

“That’s because I got a new one.” She turned and pointed out the window at her clean, white car, knowing that it wouldn’t stay that way for long. The weather forecast was calling for three to six inches of snow overnight, and the snow was already coming down heavier than when she’d first arrived.

“Congratulations! Looks nice,” Will said as he shrugged off his coat and hung it over the chair.

“Thanks. It’s a lot larger than I was looking for, but Finn…” Oops! Isn’t it a dating faux pas to mention another man’s name when you’re on a date? If so, I just blew it!

“Finn. He’s the guy that I met at the restaurant a couple weeks ago, right?”

“Right. Well, anyway, he helped me pick it out. So, what’s new with you?”

The waitress came over to take their drink orders, which gave Harper a few minutes to regroup. I wonder if there’s a dating manual I can buy at A New Chapter?

“And for you, ma’am?” the waitress was saying.

Ma’am? Really? Do I look that old? “I’ll have a Bud Light,” Harper replied, shooting the waitress a watered-down smile. No tip for you, missy!

“Did I mention I was going on a ski trip this weekend?” Will said, picking up the thread of their conversation.

“No, you didn’t.”

“I go every year with a group of college friends, although this year, most of them will be bringing their wives or girlfriends.”

Harper wondered briefly why he hadn’t asked her to go, but then she realized that they hardly knew each other. Of course he wouldn’t ask her, and even if he had, she didn’t know how to ski.

“I thought about asking you to come, but I figured it was too soon.”

“Oh. Well, it wouldn’t have worked anyway since I have a few photo shoots scheduled for this weekend.”

The waitress returned with their drinks and quickly set them down before hurrying off to the next table. Harper had just taken a drink of beer when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Startled, she turned around and quickly swallowed before sputtering, “Nina. Hi!”

“I’m surprised to see you here,” Nina said, eyeing Will over Harper’s shoulder.

“Yes, well… Nina, this is Will. Will, Nina, my…”

“Sister-in-law,” Nina finished, extending her hand to Will across the table.

Will exchanged a concerned glance with Harper, but he quickly recovered and shook Nina’s hand. “Good to meet you.”

When an awkward silence descended over the table, Harper did what she usually did in uncomfortable situations. She covered it up with nervous chatter.

“I got a new car yesterday. Well, I picked it up today. But anyway, I thought I would show Will. Did I mention that Will is Julia’s cousin? You know Julia, my assistant? I’m sure you’ve met her before. So, how’ve you been?”

Nina studied her closely in that dissecting way she had that Harper had always found disconcerting. Even after knowing Nina for all these years, she was still unable to get a clear read on her sister-in-law. Does she like me? Does she hate me? Does she simply tolerate me? These were questions she’d pondered when Blake had been alive, but seeing Nina now, she still wondered.

“I’m good. Just meeting some friends for a drink. Will I see you next week for Blake’s birthday dinner?”

Will coughed into his napkin while Harper gave Nina a tight smile. “Yes, of course.”

And then, looking past Harper, Nina said, “Oh, my friends just came in. See you later.”

Harper noticed that Nina hadn’t said goodbye to Will, but what did she expect? Nina had probably been surprised to see her out with another man, and maybe a little miffed too. She’d probably react the same way toward any man who wasn’t her brother.