Harper clapped her hands. “It’s about damn time! I asked her how it went this morning, and she actually blushed.”
Sophie squealed. “I love love. I feel like the whole town caught the bug this year. Gloria and Aldo, Joni and Frank, you and —”
“Give it a rest, Sophie, or I’ll tell Ty what really happened to his favorite coffee mug.
“Traitor.”
“What are you going to do when Josh is old enough to realize he’s been mommy’s scapegoat?”
Sophie shrugged. “Probably have another baby and blame everything on that one.”
“Good plan.”
***
Harper let Sophie talk her into the tight navy scoop neck sweater and skinny gray pants. “Why are we getting decked out for a night at Remo’s?”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “I haven’t gotten dressed up since Easter. It’s time to show this town a thing ... or two.” She adjusted her boobs. Sophie turned away from the mirror and eyed Harper’s chest. “If you get any skinnier, you’re going to start losing those.”
Harper crossed her arms in front of her. “Hands to yourself, lady. I’ve been eating just fine.”
Sophie snorted. “Yeah, right. We’re getting nachosandcheese sticks tonight, just so you know.”
“Whatever you say, Soph,” Harper sighed.
Remo’s was packed by the time they got there, but they found an empty table in front of the stage. It was a pretty kind of symmetry to have the beginning and end of her story happen right here. A kind of closure.
“Are you sure we should sit this close?” Harper questioned over the music. “How good can karaoke in Benevolence be?”
“Don’t judge, Big City. We’ve got some talent in this town,” Sophie teased.
“How much talent can you have since this is the first karaoke night since I moved here?”
“Shut up.”
Sophie signaled Hazel the server and ordered two beers and the nachos and cheese sticks as promised.
“Listen, Soph, tonight’s on me.”
Sophie waved the offer away. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re here to cheer you up and how can we do that if you’re paying?”
“I’m serious,” Harper insisted. She sighed. “I’m actually leaving tomorrow. Shaking off the dust of this little town.” The joke stuck in her throat.
“What are you talking about?” Sophie choked the words out. “You can’t leave! You have a life here. You’re family!”
Harper shook her head. “Not anymore, Soph. It hurts too much to be here. And I’m sure it’s not comfortable for your brother to have me here.” She still stumbled over his name.
Hazel returned and mercifully dropped off two beers.
“Harper. You can’t go!” Sophie slammed a hand down on the table. Harper reached across to steady the bottles.
Sophie kicked back in her chair, shaking her head. “No. Nope. You’re not fucking going.”
Harper smiled. “I’m really going to miss you, you stubborn freak.”
Sophie set her jaw in a painful reminder of her brother. Harper had seen the look often enough. It was the “no discussion, decision made” look.
“I’mnotgoing to miss you because you’renotgoing anywhere. And you’re a stupid jerk for even considering it.”
