We shook our heads, but I stepped forward to answer. “Is there something wrong? I got her resignation letter but nothing else. We’ve been worried.” If Lila knew anything about our relationship with Harper, she kept it under wraps. Then again, the sight of all three of Harper’s bosses showing up on her doorstep—and at the hospital—had to make her suspicious. Did she know who we were and how we felt about Harper? Best friends usually told each other everything, but Harper never talked much about life outside of work.
“I haven’t seen Harper in a few days, but I’m sure she’s fine.” Lila started to close the door. “I’m sorry, I have to get back to work.”
“If she’s here, and she’s trying to avoid us, it would be easier if she came right out and said that.” Julian crossed his arms and stared at Lila.
“I can’t talk to you about Harper. She’s my best friend. I’m on her side.”
“Even if you think she’s wrong?” I had no basis for the observation other than years of reading people during meetings.
Lila’s constantly shifting weight and her refusal to meet our eyes for any length of time meant she was uncomfortable. About what?
“You need to talk to Harper. I can let her know you were here. I can’t promise it will do any good, but I’m sure she’ll want to know you’re concerned.” Her smile pinched tight, and she closed the door in our faces.
“Fuck.” Julian tore at his hair and kicked the wall.
His howl echoed through all of us, but Dante and I managed to keep our composure until we climbed into the car and pulled away.
26
HARPER
Sitting out on the front porch with my feet on the rail as the waves crashed had become my favorite nighttime activity. I closed my eyes and pushed aside my doubts and fears. “It’s going to be okay, baby.” I rubbed my stomach and sighed. I’d spent the last week reading every pregnancy book and website I could find. I wanted to know everything about pregnancy, birth, and what to expect. One thing I knew for certain, this baby meant the world to me.
Laughter rang out from the beach, followed by the sound of running steps. I smiled at the mental image of my neighbor’s kids chasing each other through the surf and into the house. They’d done it every night since my arrival, creating the first of many patterns I’d adopted since coming here.
My phone rang, and I reached for it, waiting until the last minute to open my eyes and check the screen. Lila. The initial tightening of fear eased into a smile, and I answered with a happy, “Hey, you. How’s everything going?”
“Nice try.” Lila scoffed into the phone. “You’re in so much trouble, Harper. You lied to me. You told me you’d taken care of things at work.”
“I did.” I sat forward, my feet sliding off the rail and hitting the wooden boards with a thud.
“You did? Then why did three very large, very upset men—the same men who rescued you from the hospital, I might add—show up at the house today asking if you were okay?”
They asked about me? My stupid, fragile heart leaped into motion, fluttering around my chest like a complete idiot.
“They’re worried, Harper. The least you can do is let them know you’re safe. I thought they might barge into the house and turn it upside down looking for you.” She huffed a Lila laugh, which was part annoyance, part smoky adoration. “You’re tearing them apart, and I love you, but it’s not fair to keep them on edge like this. Even if you won’t tell them why you left, tell them you’re safe. You owe them that much.”
“I know.” I ran a hand over my forehead and down my cheek. “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to walk away if I talked to them before.”
“It’s been three days. You’re hidden away. As long as you don’t tell them where, you can keep hiding.”
That was the problem though. I had no idea if I could keep it a secret if they asked. I wanted to see them so much it physically hurt to ignore their messages. I should have responded. I took the coward’s way out by ignoring them. And now they thought I might be hurt.
Yeah, I was a real shithead. “I’ll text them. Let them know I’m okay.”
“Are you okay? Any more messages?”
I put the rocking chair in motion, the creak of wood matching the crash of water on sand just out of sight. Dad’s old summer house on Virginia Beach had come to me after he died. I’d not been back in years, but the peace and solitude were exactly what my broken heart needed.
“No. No more messages.” I scratched a chip of blue paint off the chair and flicked it to the ground. “What did you tell them?”
“Nothing. If you want to hide out at the beach by yourself, that’s your deal. I just wanted you to know that I’m not sure how much longer they’ll be able to stand it. They might back off if they hear you’re safe.”
Might. I would have to take the chance. I could always text them, then block their numbers. That would help me avoid any temptation in the future.
But I didn’t want to block them from my life. They were an experience I’d never forget. I had to protect that. “Thanks, Lila. You always have my back.”
“Ride or die, sister.” Lila laughed again, and this time it came out easier. “Call me if you need anything.”
