AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What? No, you don’t need to. I’m planning to catch Aiden at the train station since the train to Paris hasn’t left yet, and then we’re going to go back and clear his name together. You don’t have to join us for that.”
“I want to though. You’re my brothers, and I want to.” Plus, Jackson wasn’t looking too good and I was worried he might need my help getting to Paris in the first place.
The chauffeur stepped inside and grabbed Jackson’s bags as we debated whether or not I was going.
“I need to hurry,” Jackson countered.
“I can be quick. I never fully unpacked anyway. I live out of suitcases, I just have to grab them.”
Jackson frowned, but looked over at Harper who said, “Let him go with you. The three of you need to work on your relationship together, and he might be a good peacekeeper if things get ugly.”
Exactly my thoughts too. Jackson might have good intentions, but when you put them in the same room together, he sometimes said things he didn’t mean, or Aiden would take the wrong way and then suddenly World War III broke out.
“Fine, just make it quick. I have a train to catch.”
Before I turned and left, I cleared my throat. “Harper, can I have a moment, please?”
“Sure, I’ll help you,” she said, letting go of Jackson’s arm and following me up the stairs. We were quiet until I got to my room, but as soon as we were alone, I laid it all out on the table.
“Look, I know we said this would end as soon as the vacation ended, and you’re still healing from the fallout of your relationship, so I want to give you space, but…” I stammered as I tried to find the words. Harper stared up at me with tears welling in her beautiful eyes, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t try to stop me. “…But I feel like the universe put us together again for this very reason. We’ve both been betrayed, and I understand the complex feelings you’re dealing with, I really do. I’m going to be honest with you though—I see a future with you beyond this chateau. I think we could be good together.”
She started to open her mouth to speak, but I placed my fingertips against her lips. “Let me finish, please.”
She nodded and relented. “I want to give you space to figure things out on your own. There’s no pressure for us to be anything more than what we are, but I have a feeling that you’ll be in my life one way or another, and I want to let you know I welcome that. I want that.”
“Nate, I– I don’t know what to say except I want that too. I just don’t know how it’ll work out considering how, well, complicated it is.”
“I know. I just couldn’t leave here without letting my feelings be known.” I cupped her face in my hands and stared at her beauty, not wanting to ever look away but I knew I had to. I had to give her space, and I had to be there for my family. She leaned in and I took that as a sign that she wanted a kiss. I pressed my lips against hers and felt her warm tears on my cheeks.
God, I should just tell Jackson I’m staying here…
No, I need to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.
I knew the more I lingered, the harder it might be for Harper. She needed to think, she needed to heal, before she could commit to another relationship. I feared if I stayed there much longer, there would be pressure, and that was the last thing I wanted.
If she wanted to be with me, we’d find a way to make it happen. I had to believe that if it was meant to be, our lives would once again come together. Besides, she was Kat’s best friend, it was likely we’d see each other again, though hopefully it wouldn’t be years between visits. I visited New York often for my charitable work, so I could make time for her… Iwouldmake time for her.
When we pulled away to catch our breath, she smiled up at me. “I’m really going to miss you, Nate. But I know this isn’t goodbye.”
“I know that too.”
I stared at her for a few moments longer, but I knew Jackson was in a hurry and we had a train to catch.
“Please tell my mom that I’m sorry for leaving so early, but I have a feeling she will relish some time alone with Charles, away from the drama for a bit.”
“I think so too,” Harper said. “Pretty sure she’s talking with him now, and that’s why she hasn't come down for breakfast yet.”
“Good, I hope she is, she deserves to be happy. As do you, Harper. Please don’t forget that as you deal with everything after the holidays.”
I finished packing as Harper went to tell Jackson I was on my way. Watching her leave the room hurt, but I knew I was doing the right thing. I grabbed my luggage and took one last look at the room where I had spent many childhood holidays. I knew I would be back, but things would be different… as they always were. I’d be different. Hell, I was already different from when I arrived; this trip had changed me in only a matter of days.
I rushed down the stairs to find Jackson wasn’t there.
“He’s waiting in the car,” Harper said.
“Thank you,” I told her. I paused in the doorway before leaving, kissing her one last time. She held onto me for dear life as if she didn’t want me to leave.
But seeing the way she looked at me, knowing how she kissed and touched me, I was feeling confident that wouldn’t be the end for us.
