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Does he want me?
Well, he answered that question and then some.
He’s always on my mind. I hate it.
Lying in bed that morning, watching him sleep, I felt the cocoons in my belly transform into butterflies. Flapping their newborn wings for the first time, they triggered something I haven’t felt in years.
If I stayed, if I let myself go there, I allowed myself to imagine us together like a couple. If I let my heart slip down that slippery path, I’d fall hopelessly in love with him. I know it. It’s pounding hard on my ribs, banging to get into my heart.
So I ran.
It’s been a few days now. I’ve stared at his name on my cell more than a couple of times, tempted to call or text him.
I just can’t bring myself to do it.
It’s not him. It’s me. I’m afraid to get into a relationship. It hurts too much when…
There’s a knock on the door.
“Harper, can you get that?” I hear Aunt Willa call out from upstairs.
“Yeah. Already on it.” I open the door.
“Hi!” Cassie, Brett’s independent marketing director girlfriend, stands with a basket in her hands. “Is Willa here?”
“Yeah. Come on in.” I close the door behind her. “Aunt Willa, it’s for you,” I yell as I turn to look over my shoulder to find Aunt Willa slowly making her way down the stairs.
“Cassie,” she says, gripping the rail with a thin smile. “How are you?”
“Do you need any help?” Cassie glances at me.
I turn my head from side to side.
“Oh.” She nods, getting my understanding.
Aunt Willa does not take kindly to help. And certainly not this late in the stage of her rehab. Lord help us all. She’ll be driving in a week.
“I wanted to come over sooner, but—well, I brought you a basket of goodies.” She lifts it. “I put a few products from some of my clients; creams, muscle massage oils, aroma essentials, stuff like that.” She sets it on the table. “And a bottle of wine.” She pulls it from the basket. “I thought, it’s a nice evening. Maybe we could sit outside and enjoy a glass. Oh wait.” Her large blue eyes widen. “You’re probably on pain medication.” She looks at Aunt Willa now at the bottom of the stairs and then at me. “I’m sorry—”
Again, I turn my head from side to side.
“Honey, I stopped taking those damn pain meds the day I got home.” Aunt Willa waves her hand in the air. “All they did was make me sleep. The only way to concur pain is to work through it. And believe me, I did the work. I fired my physical therapist last week.”
“You didn’t fire him. Your rehab was done,” I correct her.
“Well, it felt good to say it to him, anyway.” Aunt Willa smirks. She stops in front of Cassie. “And a glass of wine sounds fabulous.” She takes the bottle from her hand. “Harper, why don’t you grab us some glasses? You girls go outside, and I’ll open the bottle.”
“Okay,” I say, already on my way into the kitchen, Cassie and my aunt following.
I get the glasses. Cassie watches Aunt Willa struggle with the wine opener. I see it in her eyes. She wants to help. I press my lips together and shake my head as I head toward the backyard. Cassie’s smart enough to follow.
“Wow.” Cassie sits down in a chair at the outdoor table set. “She’s—”
“Stubborn,” I finish for her. “She won’t let me help her with anything. She’s always been that way.”
Cassie smiles. “I get it.”
“So do I.” I grin.
