“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.”
“Aww, are you sure?” She batted her lashes.
“I’m spoken for.”
“Is that so?” She stepped closer, giving him the best “come hither” look he’d ever seen in his life.
In another situation, sure. She was gorgeous in a way that was hard to pinpoint, and she certainly had some moves.
“I’m absolutely sure. I’m real flattered, because you’re beautiful and probably smart to boot. I just…I don’t stray.” He hoped he wasn’t offending her in any way.
Her expression did something weird, then she let out a burst of laughter. “Well, thank fuck for that!”
Izzy must’ve looked as confused as he felt, because she smirked and held out her hand. “Harper Abbot, nice to meet you.”
Izzy groaned. Then laughed out loud. And shook her hand. “Oh God…Either you have a wicked sense of humor or you’re very protective. I can appreciate both those things.”
“And you’re loyal and I can tell you genuinely love him.” She sighed, hands on her hips as she looked at the plants surrounding them. “Justin is…I love him, I really do. He’s just…he went through enough shit that he’s overprotective now.”
“Yeah, I…I don’t fault him for that, you know?” Izzy admitted. “I would never do anything to hurt Wyatt on purpose. I love him. I don’t…I mean, I know he’d be all for running away or something like that, but I’d never, ever let him do that. I’d rather break his heart and leave him than let him leave his family. I can deal, you know. I’ve been alone most of my life. Never had a family to speak of. He loves me, but he belongs with you guys.”
Harper’s eyes welled with tears she blinked away quickly. “Okay. I can work with that.” She smoothed down the front of her dress. “I’ll see what I can do. About Justin, I mean. And right now I’m going to go change into my jeans and T-shirt in the break room, and then go say hi to the family.”
“You drove here first?”
“Couldn’t warn you beforehand, could I?” Her smirk was wicked, and he had a feeling they would get along just fine.
“Thank you, Harper. Really.” Not just for offering to talk to Justin, but having her brother’s back. He didn’t say it all out loud though, because it was clear that she understood him just fine.
“Don’t thank me yet,” she said flippantly, obviously trying to make light of it as she turned around and walked out of the greenhouse.
