Harper looked at him with a mixture of surprise and something else—something hopeful. It was enough to make him think she might like him, too.
“I guess what I’m trying to say, is I’d like it if we could explore what’s between us. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’d like to find out with you. Would you... would you consider being my girlfriend?”
The question hung in the air. Harper’s frown deepened. He waited, sure he’d just ruined a great friendship by wanting too much from her.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Harper said quietly.
Owen’s heart sank, but he tried to keep his expression open, encouraging her to be honest. “You can say ‘no.’ It won’t change our friendship,” he assured her.
She seemed to be considering his words carefully, and when she spoke again, her voice was barely above a whisper. “You’re an amazing person, Owen. I enjoy spending time with you, but I’m not sure I’m ready to be your girlfriend.”
He nodded, trying to mask the disappointment that he felt. “That’s okay. I don’t want to pressure you into anything. But if it makes it any easier, we could take things slowly.”
Instead of looking relieved, Harper seemed even more worried. “I haven’t dated anyone in years. Being close to anyone terrifies me.”
Owen reached out, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. “There’s nothing to be scared about. Regardless of whether you’re my girlfriend, we’ll always be friends. That won’t change.”
Harper looked up at him, her blue eyes shining. “When I was twelve, I had a crush on you.”
Owen laughed at the smile breaking across her face. “That’s good to know.”
She stepped closer, placing her hands on his waist. “You were sixteen and Daniella told me you were too old for me.”
His eyebrows rose. “Did she tell you anything else?”
“She said you liked someone else, so we’d be doomed from the start.”
Owen looked into Harper’s eyes. He hoped like crazy she wasn’t listening to his sister’s words of wisdom now. “I don’t feel that way about anyone but you, and I haven’t dated anyone in years, either. Does that help you decide whether you want to be my girlfriend?”
She bit her bottom lip as she thought about what he’d said. “For most of my life you’ve been Daniella’s older brother. It’ll be different being your girlfriend.”
Relief and happiness washed over Owen. He hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath while he waited for her decision. “Does that mean you want to give it a try?”
Harper nodded. “It does.”
“That’s... that’s great,” he stammered. His hands cupped her jaw, holding her close. “We’ll take everything one step at a time. There’s no rush.”
Her smile grew more confident. “One step at a time sounds perfect,” she agreed before gently kissing him.
Owen’s heart raced at the softness of her lips against his. A kiss that was the beginning of a new relationship. He felt the honesty and care behind it, a promise of things to come.
When they parted, there was a light in Harper’s eyes that matched the hope in his heart. He stood there for a moment longer, letting the significance of the kiss and their decision to be together settle around him.
Eventually, Harper stepped back, her hands lingering on his for a second longer before letting go. “I should let you get back to work. Granddad will need me soon.”
Owen glanced at his workbench and then at Harper. The molten glass, once the sole focus of his attention, now seemed to pale compared to the woman in front of him. “I’m nearly ready to leave,” he decided with a smile. “I’ll walk you to your bicycle before I go home.”
As they made their way to the studio door, a comfortable warmth filled the silence between them. Instead of being worried about what the future might hold, Owen felt a deep sense of rightness about everything that had just happened.
“Thanks, Harper,” he said as they reached her bicycle, a gentle seriousness in his voice.
“What for?” she asked.
“For trusting me.”
“It isn’t difficult. I’ve trusted you my entire life.” And with a smile, she sat on her bicycle and pedaled away.
Owen watched her until she turned onto Main Street. Tonight had been about something more precious than anything he could shape with his hands. Tonight was about the beginning of ‘us’. The beginning of something that could change their lives forever.
