He’s sitting alone with his stepmother, the two of them having breakfast. Amabella is beautiful, as always. She’s wearing a floral sundress. Even this early in the day, her blond hair is perfectly curled. She’s only about a decade older than Felix but has always been maternal with him. When Amabella married Josh, not only did she seek out a motherly bond with all four of his sons, but me too. She’s lovely.
Right before I step out to the porch and make myself known, Amabella pours two glasses of water and broaches a topic that makes me pause.
“Are you bringing a date to the party tonight?”
Felix rolls his eyes. “Only if you’re ready to leave Dad for me.”
She swats his arm and laughs. “Oh, stop it. Fine, I’ll take the hint to stay out of your love life.”
I smile to myself. A bittersweet memory finds me, of Felix teasing my mother like this. I wish we all had more time with her.
He was angry with my mom, but I know he loved her and regrets not fixing his relationship with her before she died. I’m glad he’s embraced Amabella.
“It would make me so happy to see you with a girlfriend,” she continues.
“And it would make me so happy if you finally accepted the chemistry between us.”
I laugh a little too loud. They both turn and see me through the window, but only Amabella smiles.
“Harper, darling. Join us for breakfast.” She stands from the table, greeting me with a hug as I join them on the porch. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. I had a great sleep.”
The sound is quiet, but I hear Felix groan at my comment, which confirms my suspicion he still has an issue with me.
Before I take a seat, Josh arrives at breakfast in billowy white cottons, giving his wife a good morning kiss.
“Felix. Harper.” He nods to us. “Eat up. We’ve all got a big day ahead of us.”
I have mixed feelings toward Josh. He saved Felix from prison and I’ll always be grateful to him for doing so. He was supportive of me and Tyler when I got pregnant at eighteen. Since marrying Amabella, he’s become a family man. He’s even tried to act like a father figure to me since my dad passed away five years ago. He’s very active with Forever Families. But regardless of all the good Josh has done, he still aided the downfall of my relationship with Felix and Tyler. Deep within me, I do resent him.
As I pull out a chair to sit, Amabella clutches my wrist, eager. “Oh, Harper. Tyler arrived early this morning.He brought a beautiful bouquet of roses for you. They’re waiting for you in the living room.”
Excitement radiates through me. Nerves too. Tyler is hereandhe brought roses for me. The flowers have to be a good sign.
“Relationships can be difficult,” Amabella says. “But I believe you and Tyler will get back together. You’re made for each other. I know how in love you two still are.”
My smile is tight. I don’t respond, wanting to kill the Tyler conversation while Felix is present. But the damage is already done. Felix’s chair scrapes against the ground and he abruptly stands from the table.
“Felix, can we talk?” I ask.
“I need to make a phone call.”
He’s already back inside the house by the time I chase after him. He enters a hallway of doors leading to the library. I catch up, darting in front of him and blocking his path.
Felix glances down at me coldly. “Yes, Harper?”
“You left before I woke up.”
“Entering your room last night was a weakness. A mistake. Amabella proved my point just now. You’ll always be caught up with Tyler.”
“Bullshit. You don’t make love to someone like that if it was a mistake.”
He laughs but the sound is cruel. “We didn’t make love. I needed to get you out of my system. Simple as that. The truth is, Harper, you’re messy. I don’t do messy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have business to attend to. Go find your lapdog.”
I’m speechless as he leaves.Angry. So fucking angry at myself for believing things could be different between us.
Footsteps approach, followed by Ally and Dan’s voices. Not wanting them to see me emotional, I rush into the closest bathroom, gasping when I realize it’s already occupied.
