Thinking about you.
A minute passed and then two before her phone dinged.Same here. For a fake girlfriend, I can’t get you out of my head.
Harper did her best version of a horizontal happy dance and then counted to thirty before she responded.
What do you think that means?She nibbled on her thumbnail from the time she hit send until he responded.
It means I’ve spent more time regretting my decision to stay away from you than convincing myself to stick to it.
Then don’t stay away. Come over to the dark side.
Cute. I just don’t want you to get hurt.
We both know there’s no future. What’s the harm in enjoying the present?Her screen dimmed and then turned off. A minute ticked by on the bedside clock before, finally, another text came in.
Get some sleep, baby. I’ll see you tomorrow night.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was a restless night’s sleep with dreams of Luke. The next day, she only had to drag her thoughts back to the present — away from all things Luke — every thirty seconds or so while she puttered around the house.
She still hadn’t heard from him by the time she dusted every nook and cranny of the banister, cleaned the inside of the first floor windows, and finished her murder mystery. She was debating on whether or not she should text him when her phone rang in her hand.
“Tell me you’re not busy getting naked with my brother today,” Sophie demanded.
“Your brother is currently out of town avoiding me, presumably to protect himself from my incredible magnetism that drops athletic shorts with a single glance. So, no.”
Sophie snorted. “Perfect! Then you can come with me.”
“Where are we going?” Harper asked, opening the back door and stepping onto the porch.
“It’s the Annual Benevolence Not-So-Polar Plunge at the lake.”
“Aren’t those things usually in the winter?”
“I’ll fill you in on the way. You’ll do it, right?”
Some cold water would probably do her hot blood some good, Harper decided.
“Sure.”
“Great! Wear your worst bathing suit.”
Harper only had one suit, and she hadn’t worn it for a few years. She hoped it still fit.
“I’ll bring your costume and pick you up in half an hour.”
“Costume?” But Sophie had already hung up.
Harper tossed her phone on the counter and dashed upstairs to find her bikini.
***
“Okay, so, forty-five years ago, some high school students decided it would be fun to organize a Christmas cold water plunge to benefit a local cause.” Sophie launched into her explanation as she pulled out of the driveway. “I think it was a family whose house had burned down. Anyway, they were all set to do it when the lake froze over. So they decided to postpone it until the water thawed.
“Now, every year, townies get together in April, dress up like it’s Christmas, and jump in the lake. This year’s cause is a leukemia and lymphoma nonprofit.”
“That’s kind of awesome,” Harper laughed. “So what’s our costume?”
