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With her, I think I could be.
I take Harper as more of a realist.
What’s that saying, opposites attract? I’m seeing how that could be true.
I don’t believe in coincidences. When I saw her ticket floating in the air that day in the café, it dropped in slow motion as if to give me ample time to react. Nothing could’ve stopped me from reaching down to pick it up. I didn’t know why I was drawn to it, but I understood when my eyes met hers.
It was the first time I didn’t think about Emily’s lifeless crystal-like blue eyes. Still, like Emily, Harper’s amber eyes also stole something from me.
But she also returned something I’d been missing since finding Emily dead.
Then there’s the asshole at the counter who gave her a hard time. I’d seen him before. It took me a few seconds to search the files in my head. Took him a couple more to recognize me as the man who came to his home and stole his wife from him. I could tell by how he retreated that the beating I gave him must have left an everlasting impression.
At first, I believed I was meant to meet Harper that day to help her with the dickhead. But seeing her at the drop-off fucked up my entire theory and threw me for a loop. I realized she wasn’t going away anytime soon.
So why’d I meet her? While I’d like to believe it was to save her from the asshole in the café, I’m now questioning the real purpose.
Why the hell am I letting this shit run through my head?
She throws out her hand. “You just missed the exit! I told you I’m going to my aunt’s.”
“I heard you.”
“Yes. And you said okay.”
“Yes. To delay this argument. I’m taking you back to my place. Amanda’s attacker is still out there, and until they catch him, I promised your aunt I’d keep you safe.”
“She’s not my keeper.”
“No. Apparently, I’ve been assigned to that task. Just think of me as your safe keeper. I’m here to serve and protect.”
“I can think of some ways you can serve me, and they don’t include anything below your belt!”
“That’s okay.” I glance at her. “I’m very good with my hands.” I wink. “And my mouth.” I return my focus to the road, relishing the blush I put on her cheeks.
“You keep your hands to yourself.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“Okay?” she snaps. “Is that like the okay you lied to me about when you said you’d take me to my aunt’s?”
“Ya know, I have to admit. Like the kiss earlier, I thought there’d be more of a fight about not going to Willa’s than you’re putting up. I assumed there’d, at least, be some vulgar language. But I think you want to come home with me, and you wanted that kiss this morning.”
“Oh.” She clenches a fist. “If we weren’t going,” —she shifts to the left and checks the dash— “seventy miles an hour, I would’ve jumped out of this vehicle already.”
I laugh. “It’s just for another night or two.” I glance at her. “I’m sure they’ll catch him by then.”
“Oh, you’re going to wish they do!”
“Is that a threat?”
She crosses her arms over her chest with a humph and looks out the side window.
“Bring it on, sassy pants.” I laugh again.
Chapter 16
“Yes, Aunt Willa, I’m at Cole’s. He’s down in the office with his brothers.” I walk into Cole’s bedroom and plop down on the mattress, happy to have some alone time away from him.
