“So her solution is for us to announce that you’ve just landed your dream job somewhere else and we’re parting as friends.”
Harper mulled it over.
“When do we tell them?”
“I was thinking about doing it at the dinner?”
“Before you leave?”
“It’s either that or you tell them after I get on the bus.”
“That is so not going to happen.”
“Dinner it is then.”
With her future decided, Harper leaned against the headrest and tried not to think about it.
***
Harper smoothed the golden waves away from her face and secured them in a clip, leaving the rest hanging loose around her shoulders. She took a deep breath to steady herself before tackling the makeup. She wanted to look perfect.
She even bought a new dress. The white sundress had a fitted bodice with a scoop neckline and a full skirt that floated away from her body. It was too fancy for dinner, but she wanted to be memorable.
“Harper.” Luke’s voice carried up the stairs. “We gotta go, baby.”
“I’m ready,” she called back. One last look in the mirror and another deep breath and she told herself she was ready. One last night.
She sailed down the stairs and smacked soundly into Luke as he came around the corner from the living room. He caught her, hands at her waist. “Hey there, beautiful.”
His voice was a caress. One she would miss for a very long time.
He was dressed in charcoal slacks and a thin black sweater that fit like it had been poured over him. Perfection. Harper ran her hands across his chest provoking a growl.
“Baby, if we get started, we’re going to be late.” He ran a hand up under her dress to gently stroke the barrier of her silky underwear. “Very late.”
“I can’t believe this is the end,” she whispered, tracing her fingers lightly up his chest to his shoulders.
Luke stared into her for a long moment, bringing his thumbs up to trail a gentle path along her jaw and down her neck. “You look beautiful,” he said, finally.
“I wanted to be memorable.”
“Baby, it would take more than all the time in the world for me to forget you.”
“I love you, Luke.” So much so that she thought it would burst out of her. Love and pride flowed through her veins, feeding her heart. He was the man she had always dreamed of.
He pulled her in tight, resting his chin on top of her head. “I’m going to miss you.” There was a fierceness in his voice that had Harper closing her eyes to fight back tears. She took a deep shuddery breath
“Okay, Captain. Let’s get you to your party,” she said brightly, taking a step back.
“We’ll take your car.” He held up her keys and dangled them in front of her.
“It’s back? Yay!” She snatched at the keys, which Luke held just out of her reach.
“It’s back,” he affirmed. “But you can only have it on one condition.”
“I’m not getting naked. We’re already late.”
He smirked. “Not that condition. You have to promise that you’ll take care of her. Change the oil regularly. Don’t ignore the check engine light. Check the fluids and the tire pressure.”
