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I frowned. “Don’t you?” Didn’t all women hope to meet their soulmate or their significant other? They believed in that more than men did.
Harper sighed. “My mom never married. No one ever thought she was right for them.”
I didn’t know much about her mother. I knew she worked and had boyfriends. But I wasn’t sure if she intentionally neglected Harper or if it was a by-product of her circumstances. I remember not liking how often men came and went. “I’m not sure that’s what she was looking for.”
Harper’s lips curled. “She wanted desperately for someone to love her. Trust me. I know.”
Had her mother looked for love in the wrong place? “You think you’ll have the same experience?”
Harper shrugged. “I’m a young, single mother. Manny isn’t involved.”
I tensed.
Harper squeezed my hand as if she sensed my unease. “Not that I want him to be. It’s better this way.”
I forced my muscles to relax because I thought so too. I didn’t like the guy, and I didn’t want him around Harper and Evie. They were too good for him.
“No one wants to date a single mother.”
“I don’t know about that—” I didn’t think I’d ever had the occasion to choose the option. I met most of my girlfriends in school or, later, through my extended family. None of them had a child, but I don’t think it would have bothered me if they did.
“You know it’s true. What guy my age would want to deal with the added responsibility?”
“Are you looking to date?” I didn’t remember Gia mentioning her dating recently. It seemed like she only asked my mom to watch Evie when she worked.
Harper chuckled. “Definitely not. There’s just something about being at a wedding that makes you question your choices in life.”
“Tell me about it.” I'd had similar thoughts while watching the ceremony. But it was Paisley whom I was drawn to. Even though she was closer to eight or nine, and Evie was only five, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels, wondering if a child was in my future.
Harper smiled up at me, and something about it sent a pang through my heart. “What are you questioning?”
“Whether I should find someone and settle down. I’m not getting any younger,” I said, repeating one of my mom’s favorite phrases.
Harper frowned. “Is that what you want, though?”
“Watching Naomi and Chris interact with Paisley… I wonder if that’s what I want.”
“A stepdaughter?” Harper asked, her brow raised.
“I meant a child in general,” I rushed to correct her, because I wouldn’t admit that it had made me think of Evie and Harper and how I wouldn’t want them with anyone else. Which was ridiculous, because Harper deserved to be happy, and Evie deserved a stepdad who would take care of her like she was his own.
Harper smiled softly. “You’re great with Evie.”
“I love her,” I said without thinking, and Harper smiled at me. My heart squeezed. I would do anything to make her smile like that at me again. “You know she’s irresistible.”
Harper smiled, and then it faded. “I just want her to have a good life.”
I heard what she wasn’t saying—not the life that Harper had growing up. “You’re a great mother.”
Harper let out a breath. “I needed to hear that. Sometimes it’s hard doing it on your own.”
“Do you need help with anything? Because you know my family will be there for you.”I’m here for you.But I couldn’t tell her that. We weren’t friends. We barely knew each other outside of our respective roles in the family.
“And I appreciate that. But I feel like I should stand on my own. I shouldn’t need help.”
Surprised by her admission, I stopped swaying to the music. “Raising kids is hard work. Take all the help you can get. Especially since Manny isn’t involved.”
She bit her lip. “I feel so guilty all the time—like when I have to work or when I need to go to an appointment.”
