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“Is she serious about that?” I asked her.
“When we were teenagers, there were girls who were friends with us just to get closer to you guys. She had that one blow when our best friend, Angela, hooked up with Matteo.”
“All I know is that I like you, and I love your daughter. I don’t know how anyone else would react, but can we explore what this is first?”
I didn’t want to say it, but what if it didn’t work out? What if there was an initial spark of attraction that fizzled out quickly? Why tell everyone if it wasn’t going to last?
“I’d like that, but I can’t ignore what this means for your family. They’re everything to me.”
“I get that.”
Her brow furrowed. “If they aren’t okay with it, I don’t know if I could withstand it.”
I nodded. “They’re like a second family to you.”
“A first one, really. I’m not worried about whatmymother will think about this.” She gestured between us.
I captured her wrist between my fingers, encircling the delicate bone. “Does it matter what anyone else thinks of what’s going on here?”
Logically, I knew it did, but I was thinking with my heart and my body. I wanted her, and she wanted me. Nothing elseshouldmatter.
She studied me for a few seconds before she said, “No.”
“Can I kiss you again?” I asked, and when her lips tipped upward in the early beginnings of a smile, I kissed her. I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to explore this thing between us. See where it would go.
But she stopped me with a hand pressed to my chest. “I want to take things slow. I have Evie to think about.”
“That’s the beauty of us, isn’t it? I already know Evie. You’re not introducing her to a strange guy.”
She licked her lips. “That makes it more precarious. She loves you. What if you decide we’re not for you? I might lose youandyour family. The only one she’s ever known.”
I ran a hand through my hair. As much as I wanted to be reckless, we couldn’t. “I can do slow.”
She touched my face. “I’ve liked you for a long time. I’m not in a rush.”
I kind of was, but I could respect her decision. “I’m fine with that.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “How do you see this going?”
“I want to spend time with you and Evie, doing whatever you want to do.”
She closed her eyes.
“Is something wrong?”
When she opened them, her eyes were glassy. “No one’s ever wanted to spend time with both of us before.”
“I like you, Harper. I’m attracted to you in a way I haven’t been to anyone else. But I’m aware you’re a single mother. I already know and love your daughter. Anyone who dates you should want to spend time with both of you.”
Her lips twisted. “I haven’t had the best taste in men.”
I had a feeling she didn’t think she was worthy of someone better, but I intended to prove to her she did.
“I look forward to showing you how much you both mean to me. But for now, I should head home.” I stood, and she followed me to the door.
I kissed her again in front of it, slower this time, as if she were a lover I’d already spent hours making love to and wanted to imprint my kiss on her brain for days to come. “Sweet dreams.”
The evening went better than I could have imagined. I couldn’t get over the fact that Harper had a crush on me. She'd never let on. Was everything finally falling into place for me, or was this new relationship going to derail what I was trying to do with the business and my parents?
