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“How much time do you need? Just talk to her.” Matteo chuckled, clearly puzzled.
“I need to show her that she means everything to me. I need to make space for her in my life. I’m going to ask her to move in with me.”
Matteo huffed out a breath. “No offense. But your house is kind of a dump right now.”
“Cade’s guys have started on my place, and I told him to start with the guest room, guest bath, and kitchen.”
“Why the guest room?” Carlo asked.
“It’s for Evie. I asked Cade to prepare it for her so she could stay with us. So she’d feel welcome, like it was her home.”
“Do you think Harper will be okay living in an unfinished master?” Matteo asked.
“I needed to show her she meant something to me before that confrontation with my parents. That she wasn’t some secret or someone to hide from my family. She is everything to me. Her and Evie.” I couldn’t lose her. Not when I just realized my feelings for her.
“You’ve got a solid plan. We’re rooting for you,” Carlo said.
Matteo’s face twisted. “It’s a little sappy, but I hear women like that.”
I slapped Matteo’s shoulder. “Thankfully, you’re not out there breaking everyone’s heart.”
“Who said I’m not?” Matteo asked with a cocky grin.
We groaned.
“You’re hopeless,” I said as I hugged Carlo. “Thanks for the advice. I hope to return the favor one day.”
Carlo shook his head. “I don’t want to be twisted up over a woman.”
“You say that now…” I grinned as I headed out with the phone to my ear. “Cade, what’s the status at home? I need that guest room done sooner than I thought.”
We went over the schedule and moved a few things around. I really needed the bathroom and the kitchen to be ready. He promised the bedroom and bathroom would be done, but the kitchen would be a few more weeks. It wasn’t something that could be accelerated, and I got that.
I hoped it would be enough for Harper to understand where she always stood in my life—front and center. I wouldn’t ask her to hide again. She deserved so much more.
Now I just had to prove it to her. I wanted to reveal a finished room to Evie, so I ordered furniture and toys, telling the store I’d pick it up from the warehouse with my truck instead of waiting for it to be delivered. Evie could always change the decorations later if she didn’t like it.
Then I texted Harper.
Leo: Can we talk?
The bubbles popped up and then disappeared.
Leo: Please.
Then the phone rang, and I fumbled it. I couldn’t believe she was calling me. “Harper.”
“Leo.” Pain filled her voice.
“Can we talk? What I said, it wasn’t how I feel. But I’d like to talk to you in person.”
The line was quiet and then she finally said, “I need some time.”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat and all the things I needed to say to her. “I can understand that.”
Harper sighed. “I talked to Gia, but it didn’t go well.”
At least Harper was talking to me. “You know she’ll come around.”
