She was reaching for her dream and opening her own business in the next couple months. I was so excited for her and happy to be at her side while she was on this venture.
“Well, thanks for making some time for me,” I said.
It was hard only being around the boys in this relationship…and yes, Gage was part of my life now, not just as my boss. All week, both he and Chase would check on me constantly. Of course, that was nice and thoughtful. But after a while, it was also annoying.
I needed some girl time.
And she seemed to know that.
“So,” Harper started. “You are going to lead this conversation. I’m here to listen or talk about anything you want. Even if it’s about the last movie you watched.” And then she shoved a forkful of lettuce into her mouth.
That was exactly what we did. We talked. About a lot of nothing. Eventually we moved on to her wedding plans, which were coming along. They set a date for late next spring, so only a little over a year.
“So, I’ve obviously got the florist booked,” she said, then laughed. “And I chose my photographer. But we only have the venue down to four options. Even with Gage’s influence and money, I’ve got to choose it, like yesterday, to get our date.”
She was right, they were cutting it close.
“What’s the holdup?”
“I kind of wanted my maid of honor to help me choose,” she said.
That made sense. Girls would likely have an easier time helping with the important details more than men.
As I continued eating, Harper sat there staring at me. I was expecting more of her story, so I simply waited and stared back.
“What?” I asked. “Is something wrong?” I looked down at my shirt to make sure there wasn’t food dribbled on my chest.
“You are being so dense right now!” Harper laughed as she yelled at me. She pulled out a beautiful bouquet from her largetote and placed it in front of my salad. “Maryellen, I’d like you to be my maid of honor.”
Oh. My. God.
I jumped from my seat and into her waiting hug.
“What an honor,” I said as I squeezed her. “Thank you. This will be so much fun.”
We talked for a bit longer about some of her ideas and what she’d like me to do. She had an appointment to go dress shopping this weekend, and she wanted me to go.
“Are you around tomorrow night? I thought you and Chase could come over for dinner and we could look at some things online together before going to the bridal shop.”
Chase’s show.
I so badly wanted to tell her and have them come. But I understood how Chase wanted it to be for him this week.
“We already have plans for tomorrow, I’m sorry. I could come over Saturday if that works?”
She smiled at my suggestion as we packed up our things to head back to work.
“Harper,” I said. “Thanks for not pressuring me to talk about…anything today. It helped to not have someone expect me to.”
Her arms went around me in a tight hug. “No worries. You will tell your story when you’re ready.”
CHAPTER 30
Chase
There was no way I was going to be able to concentrate at the office. With the show tonight, it was a moot point to even be at work. Since I didn’t want anyone else to know about it, I needed to forge on and do my best.
Maryellen came in handy. Any time I struggled, I simply walked out of my office and down the hall to her desk. I might get a smile or a hug.
