“Thanks, Max, you’re the best.”
“I know.”
Could the band suck? Maybe. Probably most definitely, but what other options do I have? At least I can give Harper this. It may not be much, and it may not mean anything to her but I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I would move mountains for Harper, rope the heavens and lay them at her feet. And if she lets me, I will willingly take whatever amount of time she’ll give me and live my life for her.
February 14
Skipping town was thefirst thought on my mind. There’s a bag packed, waiting on my bed and everything. I don’t know where I’ll go, there’s not a single corner of this state where my father won't be able to find me. And when he shows up, realizes there’s no band and that it’sjust me in a corner with a playlist for tonight’s ball—well, I don’t really want to think about it. Because while my father may not like to acknowledge me, this is one fuck up I’m sure he’ll make a scene about.
I reached out to every event planner in Northern California for resources. I combed through social media, looking for anything remotely resembling a band for tonight, and came up empty. Not even a Tesla cover band was available. I was ready to swallow my pride and beg Nolan to pay some exorbitant fee for a last minute DJ but there was no point becauseno onewas available.
It’s like the universe was toying with me. How many parties and events could there possibly be tonight that everyone is booked? At least if my father murders me, it will be in a lavish event space and I’ll look phenomenal.
For a moment while getting ready, I contemplated not even putting on the dress Nolan bought. As if denying myself the simple pleasure of wearing it makes up for my colossal screw up. There were a few drab looking black dresses hanging in the back of my closet I could have worn instead, but for some reason my heart ached while looking at the deep red gown laid out on my bed. In the end, the organ in my chest won.
Of course it fits like a glove. Of course after slipping into my heels and lining my lips with a matching shade of red,I looked at myself and felt beautiful. And of course Nolan was the first person I thought of once I was ready.
And I hated how much I wanted to show him. Because soon Nolan will walk through the ballroom doors, along with half the town, and we won’t be anything to each other. Despite anything we might have said the other night. Meaningless words whispered in a moment that faded away with the stars. A fluke in time because when I woke in the morning, he was gone.
I’m wallowing in my own self pity, walking around the table, adjusting silverware that was already straight, when a voice comes from behind me.
“Excuse me, Ma’am, do you know where we’re supposed to set up?”
Guests aren’t meant to show up for another thirty minutes and as far as I know, all the vendors are accounted for. Cupid is so small that I genuinely know what everyone looks like and even if I didn't, the man standing before me is someone I would remember. With his ice blonde hair tousled with lazy precision and haunting blue eyes. This sudden stranger appears to have walked off a runway, straight into this ballroom and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.
“I’m sorry, but we’re not expecting any more vendors. What are you here for?”
The mystery man twists to the side, looking around the room as if it’s obvious why he’s here. Only then do I register the guitar strapped to his back. He looks back to me, apprehension splashed across his face. “I’m Ryker, my band just needs to know where to set up.”
Thank Cupid, it’s a Valentine’s Day miracle.
My brain rattles as I sputter and shake my head looking for something to say. “I don’t know—I—how—”
“We just need to know where to set up, Ma’am.”
Three more men walk into the room, all with instruments strapped to them or equipment being rolled on a cart. I have no idea where they came from but I’m not stupid enough to turn them away. I gesture toward the stage, and in record time they’re set up, and different chords are ringing throughout the room as they run a sound check.
Even though I’m smiling ear to ear so hard my cheeks hurt, I feel as if I might actually cry.
“Have I told you how much I love your smile,” a familiar timbre says from behind me. My body flushes, his presence pulling a reaction from me before I can even turn to look at him. When I swirl around, the satin train of my dress spinning out with me, I’m almost knocked off my heels at the sight of him.
Nolan’s suit is darker than a velvety midnight sky, his piercing blue eyes the only color on him. Tiny crinklesdeepen around his eyes as his lips unfurl in a slow smile as he drags his gaze down my body. “You look beautiful, Harper.”
Before I can answer, another voice cuts through. “Hey, Nolan, right?” Ryker calls out as he jumps off the stage and struts over to us. Nolan pulls me back and tucks me into his side, resting a heavy hand on my hip. A small move with an inescapable message; I’m his.
The two men shake hands and I’m left a bit bewildered.
“Thank you so much for giving us a chance, we really appreciate it.”
“No problem, Maxine said you're good and that’s all we needed to know. This is Harper, she’s the Director of Recreations in Cupid and put on this whole event.” Ryker quickly shakes my hand and I barely get out a ‘thank you’ before he’s heading back to the stage to finish setting up.
I turn to Nolan. “How—”
“There’s yet to be a problem Maxine can’t solve. I drove out to see her yesterday and begged for help.”
“But why?”
His next statement came quickly but not a word was rushed. It was a steady proclamation, the kind that sticks with you years down the road. The moment you know changes everything. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Harper.”
