Harper - Ugh, no. I’m just gonna scrounge my purse for coins and raid the vending machine.
Leo - Why don’t I bring you something? I have to drop off a cookie order anyway.
Harper - I don’t want to impose
Leo - Never. There’s nothing I’d like more than to see your face today.
The dots danced for a moment before going away. I worried I’d been too much when she finally responded.
Harper - Okay. I want to see you too. My break is at 1.
My heart pounded out of my chest. I checked the clock—11:30. I ran around the kitchen, trying to figure out what to make. I settled for a few chicken caprese sandwiches, some Greek salads, and a few extra cookies I had left.
I ran out the door and rushed to deliver the baked goods. Angie was grateful for them, and her mother insisted on chatting for longer than I’d have liked. I was just out the door when I heard my name behind me.
I turned to find my sister Charlotte, her own pregnant bump sticking out even further than it had thelast time I saw her. She had long black hair up in a bun, and she was carrying a large vegetable tray.
“Hey! I didn’t know you’d be here this early.” Though I loved her, I didn’t want to run into her right now. I didn’t have time, I needed to get to Harper.
She gave me a hug, wrapping around me, somehow avoiding her bump and the tray. “I told Ang I would help set up. The first shower is always a big deal.”
“Nice. Well, I need to run. I hope you have a great baby shower.” I tried to sidestep her, but even pregnant, she was quick.
“Where are you off to?” It was an innocent question, but that glint in her eye told me otherwise.
“Nowhere,” I snapped too quickly.
She locked onto that tone like a piranha. Damn my sister for knowing me so well. “You have a date.”
“I do not,” I scoffed.
“You totally do. You always got like that when you were ‘just hanging out’ at Hawthorne’s house with Jasper.” She gasped. “Are you cheating on them? I swear, Leo Finn Caldron, you were not raised to…”
I put my hand over her mouth, stopping her from shouting in the middle of the parking lot. She acted like my mother sometimes, but I guess that was what older sisters were for.
“It’s not like that,” I yell-whispered.
She swatted my hand away. “Tell me what it’s like then, because I will walk over to that clinic and tell Jasper myself.”
“It’s someonewe’reseeing,” I said, hoping she’d get the hint.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I see. When did you guys start dating?”
“Can we not get into this right now?” I asked. “I promise to tell you everything, but I promised to bring her lunch.”
“Andit’s a her? I’ll definitely need to hear this, but fine, I’ll let you off the hook. For now.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Char,” I gave her a small side hug and took off to my car.
I gave a small chuckle to myself as I thought about Charlotte’s reaction to my possible cheating. She wasn’t wrong though. I had been obsessed with them both as long as I could remember.
When we were in school we were tied at the hip. I had other friends, but Hawthorne and Jasper took up most of my time. I’d spend after school sitting with Jasper in the library, bothering him while he tried to study, or watching Hawthorne at football practice.
It wasn’t until we were in high school that Charlotte pointed out my feelings. At first, I denied it. We were just friends, close friends. But the longer I considered it, the more I realized she was right. My other friends didn’t make my heart skip a beat when I caught their eye, and I definitely didn’t feel attracted to any of them.
Once I accepted it, I knew I had to do something about it. I was always the type to go after what I wanted, and as soon as I was sure, I formulated a plan. I planned a day for both of them to meet at Hawthorne’s for homework. Then I would tell them how I felt and hope they felt the same.
It sort of fell apart, however when I didn’t have the patience. Hawthorne had hopped up on his bed with me, and got so close. That same woodsy scent he’d always had infiltrated my senses. At the time I wasn’t sure if it was just in my head, but I swore his cheeks pinked slightly, giving me the confidence to lean in and kiss him.
