Rush leans in, that shit-eating grin expanding on his face. “You were lookingforher.”
“So what ifIwas.”
“Dude, I could see the disappointment on your face when she didn’t show.” He smacks me over the arm. “You’re getting in too deep. You either want her or you don’t. Figureitout.”
“Figure it out.” I glance down to the other end of the table where Lawson has his arm draped around Lucky, Grant has assumed the same position with Ava. Maybe I just miss that? The casual nature of having someone by your side. I glance around the bar, trying to picture myself with any one of these girls, the blondes, the redheads, the laughing brunettes, and yet each time I envision myself with them, their faces slowly morph intoHarper’s.
I spend the next hour drifting in and out of the conversation at hand—my mind, my heart, and my entire body drifting back to that girl with those incredible kisses, Harper Shelton. And then it hits me like a pickax through theforehead.
Hell yes, Iwanther.
A dull smile comes tomylips.
Who the hell wouldn’t want HarperShelton?
HeartsAquiver
Harper
The last threenights in a row are spent in a fetal position in a wingback chair facing the fireplace. Spending the night in the commons room is strictly forbidden, and anyone noticeably trying to catch eight hours of z’s on the sofas will be cited within an inch of their academic lives, so I opted for the less noticeable furniture in hopes to drift into a seamless slumber. Comfortable it was not. It was hell, actually. I’d crash in Ava and Lucky’s room, but I’d hate to ding their record when we haven’t even been residents of Kappa G for a month. And when I went to get ready for my internship this morning, I had to wait twenty minutes in line for a shower. And given my penchant for detesting standing in long lines, it only fostered my newfound disdain for the place. I honestly don’t know how much more of this I can take. No matter how much concealer I put under my eyes, I can still see those puffy dark circles I’msporting.
And after running twenty minutes behind, I jump into my car and head straight for downtown Jepson. Last night, I almost texted Knox and asked if we could carpool, go green, recycle the air we breathe together, and all that environmental crap just to be near him. Honest to God, the boy has not left my mind since that very first kiss. How is that possible? Is this some rare aftereffect of being dumped brutally by your boyfriend of two years, who suddenly has amnesia as to how close we really were? I mean, dear God, we exchanged I love yous hundreds of times! We talked about grad school, about our hopes and dreams, about… Hey—come to think of it, I was doing most of the talking. Justin was more or less nodding like a bobble head while noshing on whatever the waitress put in front of him. Ugh. He’s such a donkey, and as much as I hate to admit it, I was probably one too for fostering that false relationship like a blown glass heart I wouldn’t dare let anyone crush. But in the end, there was no love there—not from himanyway.
Downtown Jepson comes up quick, and it hits me how close to the gallery I am. Maybe after I’m done with work I’ll swing by and surprise my mother. It’s been weeks since I’ve been home, and since we’re essentially within driving distance, I don’t have the greatestexcuse.
The realty center comes up and I take the parking spot next to Knox’s white truck. Just the sight of it brings a warm smile to my face. That trip to the grocery store was the best date I had ever been on. Pathetic as it might sound, it was actually pretty fun loading up on gourmet food with someone who actually has a palate for the finer things in life. Justin tried caviar once and almost vomited on my lap. In comparison, everything about Knox is a breath offreshair.
I get out of the car and step into the heat of the day, and suddenly I’m craving the cool air conditioning of Knox’s rental home. Wow, did I just think of Knox nonstop on the way over? This isn’t right. It’s almost as if I’minterestedintheguy.
I stopshort.
Nofreakingway.
My heart breaks into a congadrumsolo.
I’m interested in KnoxToberman.
I stare up at the heavy blue sky and withhold the urge to let a primal cry rip from my lungs. It can’t be true. That would make this a classic rebound, and ironically that’s exactly what Knox and I are trying toavoid.
Oh crap. I take the next few steps toward the squatty white building, and my heart starts to pound so fast that I’m terrified I’ll pass out before I ever hit the door. Just knowing he’s in there has my blood racing, my entire body breaking out into a cold sweat, and those butterflies in my stomach just morphed into a bunch of rabid pigeons all trying to peck theirwayout.
My hand clasps over the handle and I pause amoment.
I’m into Knox. It’s happened. The rational side of me insists I’ve simply transposed all those feelings I had for Justin onto him. And yes, the illogical side of me says I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it. I’m all in, invested in what could be a very real forever, and I’ve only known the guy less than a couple of weeks. Glad to see I’ve kept my head about me like I swore Iwould.
Happy greets me with her signature over exuberant hello as I enter, and I give an exuberant hello right back before heading to my cubicle. But the reality is, I’m about to see Knox, the boy who has me feeling lightheaded and faint and all of my newfound exuberance morphs right back into a bundle of nerves. My heart gives a few life-ending thuds as if its battery were about to die, thus taking me right along with it. But once I spot a young couple seated with him, I kick-start backtolife.
I can do this. It’s just Knox for Pete’s sake. But now that I realize I’m interested in more than a few staged kisses, it doesn’t feel like just Knox. It feels more likeoh my God, it’s Knox!He’s gone from the annoying jock that I couldn’t wait to be rid of to the cute boy that I’m losing my shit over whenever I’m near him. Again, there’s apparently no middle groundwithme.
“And this is Harper.” Knox sheds a warm smile at the sight of me as the three of them look up from their shared laptop. “Harper, this is Ryder Capwell and his wife, Laney. I’ve shown them all the prospects and they’d really like to see the houses in Hollow BrookHeights.”
“Oh, nice!” I’m quick to shake both of their hands. Ryder is handsome with wavy hair and a peaceable smile, and Laney is a drop-dead gorgeous little petite thing with eyes that say a thousand kind things at once. Instantly, I like them both. “Knox is renting in the area so we’re superfamiliar.”
Laney gives a knowing nod. “I love that area. Plus, if I wanted, it would be walking distance to the Black Bear. I’m still waitressing while I finish grad school. It’s my final year. And after that, we’d like to get started on afamily.”
Ryder wraps his arm around her lovingly. “The waitressing gig is completely optional, but we’re good friends with the owners, and Laney’s been working with her best friend foryears.”
“Baya is like my sister.” She gives a tiny shrug as if to say she’s guilty. “We’re actually going to try to time our children so they can grow up together, so don’t be surprised if you get another client soon. She and Bryson are at the Briggs Apartment Building, and I think they’re ready for anupgrade.”
