Page 56 of Capture The Moment

Julia nodded, but she looked nervous.

“What are you afraid of?”

“It’s just all so new and unexpected. Connor’s unlike any guy I’ve ever been with, and I still can’t figure out how this happened.”

Kind of like me and Finn. “Well, I know how close the O’Brien brothers are, so if he’s ready to tell them, that’s a good thing, right?”

“Hey, you know what?” Julia said suddenly.

“What?”

“Connor was planning on inviting me and his brothers over for a casual dinner next weekend. You should come with me!”

“Oh. No. I couldn’t do that.”

“Why not? Connor won’t mind at all.”

“Maybe not, but Finn might.”

“Come on, Harper. You’d be helping me out, and you’d get a chance to talk to Finn too. Maybe you two could straighten things out while you’re there.”

Staring at Julia’s hopeful expression, Harper caved. “Ok. I’ll come.” She would have liked to claim that she’d agreed strictly as a favor for her friend, but she had her own selfish reasons as well. Maybe seeing Finn in a group setting would make it easier to transition back into the easy friendship they’d once had. And she believed that almost as much as she believed in unicorns. But still, it was worth a shot!

“I don’t know about this, Jules,” Harper said, tugging at the hem of her sweater dress.

“There’s nothing to worry about. You know everyone here.”

Some better than others, Harper thought, an image of her and Finn kissing springing to mind. “And you’re sure that Finn doesn’t know I’m coming?”

“Positive. I made Connor promise not to tell him.”

“Which could be good or bad, depending on Finn’s mood.”

“Harper. Did you ever consider that he just might be happy to see you?”

“That would be too much to hope for,” Harper said with a heavy sigh. She hadn’t seen or heard from Finn since that night at the bar. And since the snow had tapered off, he hadn’t even been over to plow her driveway. With each passing day, she’d found herself missing him more and more, and she wondered if he felt the same. Of course, the last time they’d seen each other, her lips had been plastered to Will’s, and Finn had left with another woman, so maybe he hadn’t thought of her at all. She’d soon find out.

“Are you sure I look ok?” Julia asked once she’d parked in front of Connor’s house.

“You look beautiful.” She looked like a woman in love, but Harper refrained from telling her that. The woman was already petrified enough!

“So do you. I don’t usually see you in a dress.”

“This old thing?” Harper teased. They both knew that Harper had dressed up for the occasion because of Finn, and she wouldn’t bother denying it. They approached Connor’s front door, arm in arm, and Harper inhaled deeply as they waited for someone to answer it.

“We can do this,” Julia said.

“We are women, hear us roar!” Harper said just as the door swung open to reveal Finn. And then time stood still for a few beats as their eyes locked and held, neither of them speaking or moving.

“Um…I’ll just go find Connor,” Julia said, squeezing past Finn.

Harper remained on the porch step, waiting for Finn to invite her in.

“What are you doing here?” he asked gruffly, mouth set in a straight line.

Just then, Liam came up behind him and shouted, “Hey, Harper. Why are you standing out there? Come on in!”

Finn shot him a scowl but stepped aside to allow her access.