Harper
Idropped my mother off on our way home. Calum was already parked in my driveway, waiting. When I turned my head to say goodbye to her, I saw his Jeep and my belly swooped with that aching freefall sensation.
Mom opened her mouth to say something but thought the better of it. “Call me later, Harper.”
“Will do,” I said.
“Bye, Grams!” Asher waved from the backseat, his attention drifting back out the window, at the Wrangler parked in our driveway.
Mom closed the door, and I reversed, backing out onto the street and driving the short distance to my house.
I pulled up beside Calum, parking with an accidental jerk. “Sorry, buddy,” I glanced in the rearview mirror, but Asher didn’t seem phased in the slightest. He was already unbuckled and reaching for the door. He jumped out onto the gravel driveway and slammed his door.
Killing the ignition, I breathed for a moment. Collecting my purse from the passenger floor, I stepped out, greeting Cal with a reserved smile.
His ocean-like eyes swept over me, lingering on my lips. “Good morning,” he said, flashing me a boyish grin that belied the remote and unapproachable image he’d created for himself.
It was the Calum of my past, and I found myself smiling, unable to ignore the swooping sensation that rolled through my belly. “Good morning. So…what’s the plan?”
“I thought we could go for a bit of a drive.”
I swallowed, my eyes shooting to Cal’s with nervousness. Every adventure we’d ever gone on began with that same offer.
And they’d all ended the same too; the two of us tangled up in the back of his Jeep. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happenthistime, but still…I couldn’t help that my mind had gone there.
“Okay!” Asher’s eyes brightened with excitement.
“That sounds fun.” I managed, clearing my throat before continuing. “Asher, go grab a hat, scarf, and mitts.”
“But Mom,” Asher whined, sending me a sulking look.
“Your mom’s right bud, we’ll likely be outside for a bit. You don’t want to freeze.” Calum grinned. I glanced at him, and he winced, his eyes filled with apology. I smiled, showing him that it was okay—I was just surprised at how natural it felt.
“Okay,” he sighed, trudging between us and walking up the front steps.
“Why don’t you come in for a minute?” I asked, following Asher up the porch steps. I had the key, and he wouldn’t be getting in without it. Unlocking the door, we walked inside, and I held it open for Cal.
He stepped through, waiting in the mudroom while Asher searched through the bench that contained our winter gear. He tugged a hat over his head quickly, grabbing two gloves and a scarf.
“Ready!” Asher declared. His brows were drawn together with noticeable impatience.
Following my own advice, I grabbed a warm pair of mitts, my favourite infinity scarf, and a cute hat that I’d bought at a little shop in town. I shoved them into my purse and followed Asher and Calum outside, listening while they talked about the piano lesson.
Watching them walk ahead of me to the car, I took in how similar they were. Dark hair, beautiful blue eyes. Seeing them together made my heart swell with emotions I refused to acknowledge out loud.
And that kiss.
That cursed kiss. It had scrambled all of my senses, and I still felt adrift in a sea of confusion.
Calum stopped by the side of his Jeep and opened the back door, holding it for Asher.
“Oh, we need his—“
“Booster seat? I picked one up.” He smiled. “I noticed you had one in your car and figured that meant he needed one still.”
“Very thoughtful and perceptive,” I said carefully, trying not to unmask how much these little actions made my heart soar. I couldn’t let myself forgeteverythingjust because he was paying attention now, but my instincts urged me onward; to see himnow. To stop fighting what my heart had always wanted.
Calum closed Asher’s door and stepped forward to open the passenger side for me. I slid in, our eyes connecting through the glass as he shut it slowly. His lips twitched with a secret, and the familiarity of it pulled me back into the past. I had to pull my gaze away from him and look elsewhere to make sure I was still here, now, and not sitting in his old Jeep.
