I had a date with the one and only Tucker Hayes, which was exciting. Well, not a date really. But fuck, thirty thousand dollars? As if I could afford to fix it all. I tried to act like the numbers didn’t make my stomach twist. I unbuckled my seat belt, slid my phone into my purse, and hopped out of my car.
I followed Wren into her house, but I felt completely numb. I turned to shut the door and started crying. Slow, silent at first, then ugly and sharp, tearing out of my chest like I couldn’t hold them back even if I wanted to.
“I worked so hard,” I choked, covering my face with my hands. “I worked so fucking hard to get that house the way I wanted it. I’ve been paying that mortgage for months, playing it safe with my trust fund. And now…” Before my dad passed, he had less than fifty grand left to pay on the house, but now that it was mine, I took on the mortgage. When I got my inheritance, I made the choice to quit my cashiering job at the hardware store to focus on school. But now with this… I needed an income or a miracle.
“I’m so sorry, Harp,” shesighed softly.
She wrapped me in her arms and just held me close while I cried. I truly was heartbroken.
I felt like all I was doing recently was losing. I lost my dad. I lost my best friend. I lost my home. And I’m sure this isn't the end. I am not sure how much more I could take.
13
HARPER
Tucker was right on time. When he told me he was a few minutes out, I said goodnight to Wren and sat on the porch. After the sun went down in northern Michigan during late September, you definitely needed an extra layer. I was wearing my favorite pumpkin and cream-colored cardigan over a black V-neck T-shirt. My light blue jeans were soft and stretchy over my thick thighs. I wore the old brown cowboy boots that I kept at Wren’s house when we went to our local bar. My pink hair was straightened, and I pinned back both sides of my blonde curtain bangs with mismatched yellow and white butterfly clips.
I cannot express how much I needed a fucking drink. I was excited about tonight despite everything.
Tucker’s headlights cut through the darkness as he pulled into the driveway. His older Ford F-350 King Ranch was fucking massive. He was a big guy, and watching him literally hop out of his car made me wonder if I was going to need a ladder to get in.
He left the driver's side door open as he walked up to the porch. I stood up to meet him as he came up the steps. I couldsmell him before I could get a good look at him. He smelled like whiskey and vanilla had a baby. Whatever it was, it was fucking addicting. His long, dark, straight hair was half up and half down. Tucker had pulled the top half of his hair back into a neat bun. He had cleaned up his beard, too. His skin was tanned, probably from spending countless hours outside for work. For thirty-seven, I swear he looked younger and younger every time I saw him. That says a lot because it has been over six months since I last saw him.
His orange and black flannel looked like it would rip if he flexed his biceps. The man was unusually large. He wore his flannel with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow. It showed off his impressive corded forearms. His right one was littered with different tattoos.
God, I bet he could pick me up so easily.
He opened his arms for a hug, and I walked into them.
“I’m so sorry about the house, Harper. I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
His chin rested on the top of my head as I breathed him.
“It’s okay, Tucker. Really. At least it gave me a reason to call.” I moved a bit so I could look at him. With him standing at six feet six, I really had to crane my neck to look at him. He held my chin between his thumb and forefinger and searched my eyes.
“I was hoping you realized by now you don’t need a reason to call. You say my name and I’ll always come runnin’.” His voice was low and gravely.
I swear my knees were going to give out. All I could do was whisper, “Okay.” God, I so badly wanted him to kiss me. Maybe I was being a bit bold, but I slid my hands to the front of his flannel, gripping it softly, hoping he would get the hint.
My voice, still quiet, didn’t sound like me when I spoke, “I think you are supposed to kiss a girl when you drop her off, not pick her up.”
I felt his laugh rumble deep in his chest. His smile was wide and perfect, showing off his chipped front tooth. “With your permission, miss, I’d like to do both.”
My cheeks ached; my smile couldn’t get any bigger. I nodded, and his lips met mine. I expected it to just be a kiss, but instead I got an instant connection bigger than anything I have ever seen or felt on this planet. But even now, the thought of Cam crossed my mind.
What the fuck was my brain doing?
Thank God this man was a fantastic kisser. He pulled me from my thoughts as his hand fell from my face down to my waist, pulling me in closer. I let out a soft whimper at the closeness. I swear there was an immediate overwhelming cosmic connection, and I loved every fucking second. I had a crush on this man since I met him a little over a year ago, and now he’s kissing the life out of me. The longer we stood here making out, the more I thought about Tucker.
I could absolutely see myself falling for this man. I bet he wouldn’t make me wait around for him.
He smiled against my lips, eyes still closed. “Drinks are on me, Sugar.” He pulled back slowly and grabbed my hand, leading me to his truck. Tuck helped me into his truck, but before he closed the door, he looked at me from head to toe and said, “You really do look beautiful, Harper.”
I smiled at him and waved him off. Tucker was truly a gentleman. He shut my door and walked around to the driver’s side. As I watched Tucker walk around the front of the car, I sawhim.
Cameron was staring at us through the window next to the front door. Cam had his phone in his hand, and as he slid it back into his pocket, mine vibrated. While Tucker lifted himself into the truck, I read the text.
Cam: I am sorry I took so long to do something about us. He’s a lucky man. You deserve a great night after everything. Have some fun tonight, Shortcake.
