I’ve gone Harper-free for too long. I’m starting to forget what your face looks like. So, if you’re free this weekend, I’m heading your way! Break out the facial masks and pizza because we’re having a sleepover!
Xoxo,
Hannah
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From: [email protected]
Re: Miss your face
Are you serious?? You wouldn’t tease me about this would you? This isn’t some cruel joke?
Don’t destroy my fragile heart,
Harper
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From: [email protected]
Re: Miss your face
My bag is already packed! Finn’s heading to the cabin with some friends and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to come meet your new friends, check out your house, and hug your dogs. Finn promises to have bail money ready if we need it. It’s going to be awesome!
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It was guaranteed.
***
Friday night, Harper’s friends, new and old, crowded into the kitchen in their comfiest summer pajamas to launch the festivities with a drink.
Gloria was perusing takeout menus while Sophie mixed margaritas in the blender. Hannah was busy digging through the stack of movies on the counter that hit all the high notes that a girls’ night needed — romantic comedies, tear-jerkers, and a few full frontal man-part movies.
Harper let the dogs out the back door to romp around in the warm night air. “So, what fat-free, calorie-free deliciousness are we ordering tonight?”
“We were thinking pizza and chicken bites from Dawson’s,” Sophie called over the whir of the blender.
“What about dessert?”
“I brought cookie dough,” Gloria chirped. “We can either make cookies or eat it raw.”
“Best. Night. Ever.” Harper sighed with contentment. She tried to remember the last time that she did something like this. The last time she had a pack of girlfriends. In high school, she hadn’t been in one school long enough for lasting friendships. But now? With the roots she was planting, she had friends, family, and a future.
Sophie brought the blender pitcher over to the island and expertly sloshed margarita into four pink plastic cups. Gloria added a lime wedge, and Hannah plunked a straw into each cup.
“A toast, ladies,” Sophie said, raising her drink. “To the lovely Harper. May she know how lucky we all are to know her.”
“To Harper,” they said in unison.
“You guys! My turn. To all of you. Thank you for being my family. I love each one of you so much.”
They “aw-ed” as one and sipped.
