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“Night,” Gia said as she hung up.
I sat on the couch and pulled up Harper’s name.
Leo: I’m off tomorrow. You want to come over with Evie?
Harper: We’d love that.
I’d need to get up early and clear out some things, make sure the grass was mowed and the playground was still in good condition.
I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I liked Harper. I loved her little girl, and the thought of her moving away and creating distance from my family hurt. I wasn’t ready to let her walk out of my life before I figured out if she felt the same way about me.
There was something in her eyes when we talked outside her car. It felt a little like the anticipation of a first kiss on a date, but it wasn’t a date, and I hadn’t planned on making a move on her. But had she wanted me to?
I got ready for bed with hope simmering just below my skin. I wanted Harper, and maybe it had taken me a while to figure it out, but I wasn’t going to let any more time go by without doing something about it.
Some other guy would scoop her up, or Manny would realize what a mistake he’d made in walking away from her and Evie. I wanted to be a factor in Harper’s life going forward.
* * *
The next morning, I got up early, threw on some old clothes, and got to work on the yard. I cleared the sticks and debris so I could mow, then weeded the bare garden patches. I inspected the playground, making sure everything was secure and there were no nails protruding.
Then I worked on the small shed. I moved the lawn mower and leaf blower to the garage. When the small storage space was clear, I hosed it down to clear the cobwebs. I didn’t know much about little girls, but I knew Evie hated spiders. There was no way she’d play inside if she thought one was living there.
Then I hosed off the patio, grateful I’d bought some outdoor furniture. We’d have a place to sit while Evie played and ran around the yard. The only thing missing was a dog.
I’d always wanted one, but I worked long hours at the restaurant. But wouldn’t Evie love to play with one? When had everything in my life come down to what Harper and Evie would like?
When my stomach rumbled, I realized it was lunchtime, and I hadn’t had anything to eat since having a bagel at breakfast. I jumped in the shower and washed off the grime and sweat. Then I pulled on new jeans and a T-shirt.
Barefoot, I padded to the kitchen to make myself a quick sandwich. I piled on the lunch meat, cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce before I poured my mom’s homemade Italian dressing on top. It wasn’t as good as the subs we made at the restaurant, but it was close.
The doorbell rang, and I left the food on the counter to get it. My nerves kicked up right before I opened the door.
“Leo!” Evie cried, right before she wrapped herself around my leg.
I untangled her and lifted her into my arms.
Her nose turned up. “You smell.”
“Probably like salami,” I teased her. “You hungry? I have lunch on the counter.”
“We ate—” Harper began.
“I want some,” Evie said as I carried her down the hall to the kitchen, which opened to the backyard. I set her on the counter, standing in front of her so she wouldn’t fall. I wouldn’t make a good impression if Evie fell off my counter and broke her arm on the first visit.
“What do you want on your sandwich?” I asked Evie.
Harper stood across the island from us, taking in the outdated space. It never bothered me as much as it did right now.
Evie pointed to the salami and the cheese.
“That’s it?”
“Uh-huh. Salami is yummy, but Mommy says it’s bad for me.”
“She didn’t.”
“She said it’s process or something.”
