She paused, then nodded. “All right. Then I just have one question.” She gestured between him and Anita. “What’s going on with you two?”
Not this again. “Nothing. We’re coworkers, that’s all.”
“And that’s what she said about you. But methinks you both protest too much.”
Tanner shook his head. Harper wasn’t the only one who was tired, and he wasn’t in the mood for pointless discussion. “Methinks this isn’t any of your business.”
“You would be correct, and normally I have a policy about not getting involved with people’s love lives.”
“You should stick to that.”
“Did I hit a nerve?” She got up from the chair, and now that she was barefoot, he had to look down instead of them being eye level like before. “Anita is one of my dearest friends, and I’m very protective of my friends. Be careful with her feelings, Tanner. She’s special.”
Tanner frowned as Harper went to the couch and sat next to Anita.
“Wake up, sleepyhead. Time to go home.”
Anita moaned but didn’t wake up. When Harper started to nudge her, he stopped her. “I’ll carry her. That way she can keep sleeping.”
Harper nodded and moved away as he gathered Anitain his arms. She hung Anita’s purse around his neck. “If she wakes up on the way home, tell her I’ll bring her other bag to church tomorrow morning.”
“Will do.”
Harper smiled. “Thanks, Tanner.”
He went to the Jeep and carefully put Anita into the passenger seat. He’d already opened the door and tilted the seat back a bit before he brought her out here, expecting that he might have to carry her again. He gazed at her, then lightly brushed her bangs off her forehead.
I know she’s special. I should have realized it long before now.
Harper didn’t have to worry. He would never hurt Anita. He cared about her too much.
Chapter10
“Anita! Open up!”
Anita tried to force her eyes open. Ugh, her head was pounding, and her mouth felt like someone had crammed a whole bag of cotton puffs inside. She squinted and licked her dry lips, looking around her bedroom. Wait. What was she doing here? The last thing she remembered was being at Harper’s party.
“Anita!”
Kingston? She slapped her hand on the nightstand near her bed, searching for her phone. Panic set in. She always kept her phone on her nightstand when she went to sleep.
Shoving off the covers, she started to sit up. Pain battered her head, and she pressed the heel of her hand against her forehead. What was wrong with her?
She pulled off the covers and glanced down. What in the world? She was wearing the same dress she’d had on last night. How had she gotten home last night?
Why can’t I remember getting into bed?
“Anita!”
Now her brother sounded frantic, which wasn’t like him. “Just a minute,” she hollered, although that made her head pound even more. She stood up, got her balance, staggered to the front door, and threw it open. “What?” she said as she slumped against the doorjamb.
“Thank God you’re okay.” He looked her up and down. “I think. Geez, sis, you look like hell.”
“Thanks a lot,” she mumbled, turning around and finding her way to the kitchen.
“What happened to you?” Kingston shut the door behind him. “When you didn’t show up for church this morning, I got worried.”
“Church!” She whirled around—a mistake because the room spun with her. She gripped the edge of the countertop. “It’s Sunday? I have class! What time is it?”
