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“We shoulda done this at the shop,” I say, looking at the limited room we’ll have.
“I wanted Hayden to be comfy. So I had Ethan bring me everything since I hadn’t returned to work yet. Just makes it easier for me to catch up since Ivy’s been so busy making soaps and lotions for me. I wanted to at least get some orders out. Speaking of, thank you so much. You’re a total lifesaver.”
I chuckle. “Oh, I’m not doing this for free. You’re playing my therapist today.”
A sly smile sweeps over her lips as she twists her hair into a high ponytail. Then she arranges items so we can form an assembly line. Something we used to do together before she moved everything into a shed. Now, even though she’s supposed to be on maternity leave for a few more weeks, Harper can’t help herself. Ethan already threw in the hat, knowing it’s a battle he won’t win.
“Did you get any shopping done on Black Friday?” she asks.
“No, I totally forgot. After my Thanksgiving shift, I was so exhausted and slept in the next morning. I did order a few things online, but I still have more to do before Christmas,” I admit.
“Me too. I’ve been so busy it’s completely slipped my mind.”
“Well, you’re a boss bitch and badass mama, so I’m not surprised. Ivy and I are plannin’ a shopping day to catch up soon. You should come with us. Make it a girls’ day!” I suggest.
“I’d love that. I’m sure my mom will watch Hayden while I’m gone and Ethan works.”
“Perfect! As soon as we nail down a date, I’ll let you know,” I tell her.
“Great, and I’ll make sure Ivy has the day off. I selfishly hope she continues working for me after high school.”
I give her a pointed look. “She still has a couple of years to figure all that out. I’ll fully support whatever she wants to do, though.”
“I know you will. She’s just spoiling me by how hard she works,” Harper admits. “However, if I could get you to quit your nursing job and be my partner…”
I shake my head and laugh. “Not happenin’.”
“Not even if you marry a Bishop and move to the ranch?” She waggles her brows.
She packs a box, then slides it toward me. I fill it with crinkle paper, add a thank-you card, then tape it up.
“I’m not even dating a Bishop,” I remind her as I write the order number on the box.
“Not yet,” she clarifies. Before I can respond, Ethan walks in. He takes off his boots and hat, then plops down on the couch.
“Y’all need some more help?” he asks, but I see how tired he is and know he needs a break.
“No, I think we’ve got it,” I tell him.
“We’re good. If Hayden starts crying—”
“No prob, baby.” He walks over and places a soft kiss on her lips. “Wow, this is a lot.”
“I know, gotta catch up.” Harper leans in for another kiss before Ethan goes to the fridge.
As I’m grabbing the next box, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see a preview of Knox’s text. Heat immediately rushes over my body.
Knox: I can still taste you on my lips. How’s your jaw feeling today?
I narrow my eyes at the screen, wishing I could punch him through it.
Hadleigh: Go to hell, jackass. Oh never mind, you’re already the mayor.
He continues to message me, and I respond to every one of his jabs. Knox thinks he’s so damn clever and irresistible, but I see right through his cocky attitude. After I send him my final text, I lock my phone and set it on the table, then notice Harper staring at me.
“It was Knox, wasn’t it?”
My shoulders slump. “Was it that obvious?”
“Yep,” she says without missing a beat. “Painfully obvious. Like you were in love and ready to murder him simultaneously.”
I snort. Sounds about right. “He confuses the hell out of me,” I admit. “It’s like I have no control when I’m around him, even through texts. As soon as I see him or he messages me, my heart races, and I get all stupid. It’s a sickness.”
She laughs. “Yeah, a lovesickness. Not sure there’s a cure for that either.”
Ethan’s in the kitchen, and I know he can hear everything, but I’m sure Harper’s already told him anyway.
“So have you figured out what you want yet?” Harper meets me with a soft expression.
“No idea. Kane and I hung out last night, then I ran into Knox at the training facility on my way home. Things got…heated.”
She raises a brow. “Ran into him, huh?”
I roll my eyes. “We were talking, and it escalated to more. Then, in true Knox fashion, as soon as it felt too real, he started a fight. I ended up storming off, but he chased after me and told me to pick his brother. Said Kane was better for me, then left.”
