Maya’s eyes fell to Harper’s lips. “If this was a date, I would kiss you right now.”
Snowflakes danced around them, the only sounds being those of flowing water and sighing winds. Such a peaceful soundtrack, making it almost possible to forget any concerns beyond those of the present.
“If this was a date, I’d let you,” Harper whispered. “Too bad we’re not allowed.”
The sincerity in her voice was surprising. For her, flirting was more of an innate skill than a learned one, and when shefound someone who could match her, her reaction was more enthusiastic than invested. A sort of neutral excitement that came from finding a quality sparring partner.
She rarely felt disappointed.
Using more effort than it should take, she leaned away. They’d both known how far it could go. This had just been a fun day out, and the odd dismay she felt couldn’t distract from the fact that they worked together. Going further than flirty conversation would just end with someone getting hurt.
But on the other hand, she couldn’t remember when she’d last been as happy as when walking next to Maya, huddled under her leather jacket. Unfortunately, that wasalsoa fact.
Rather than entertain that impractical line of thinking, Harper got to her feet. She put on a winning grin and extended her hand towards Maya.
“Butyou can walk me to my car. I know you like being chivalrous.”
Maya stayed seated, hand awkwardly raised. Not everyone handled rejection with grace, and though this version had technically been stated before they even began this outing, Maya might have forgotten. Either accidentally or willfully.
But neither was the case. She took Harper’s hand, smiling as she stood.
“I’ll take that offer.” Maya linked their arms as they continued down the path. “But only because it’s you. I don’t act this gallantly for just anyone.”
Chapter 7
Patricia’s apartment was an improvement over Harper’s in only two ways: size and location. The two-bedroom wasn’t in a great part of town, but Kieran didn’t know where it was, and Patricia’s couch was comfortable enough. Harper had slept worse places. With worse audiences.
“I got a new pack for the trip!” Lucas ran into the living room, clutching a dull green backpack. “It’s actually Cedric’s old one, but he didn’t need it anymore and mine had holes in it. And I got a new uniform, too! Want to see?”
“Are you kidding? Of course I want to see!” Nell said.
Lucas dropped the backpack and hurried back to his room, leaving Nell sitting on the floor with scout equipment piling up around her.
He had joined the Cub Scouts back in Shreveport, to everyone’s surprise. They were all city-people, so Lucas’ love for camping had taken some getting used to.
“You’re responsible for making him change.” Harper had been crashing on the couch for the past few weeks, so she had gotten his excitement in piecemeal, but Nell wasn’t so lucky. Even though her smile suggested otherwise. “He hasn’t talked about anythingbutthis trip for days. He’d wear that uniform to bed if he was allowed.”
Before Nell could answer, Lucas came back, wearing a worn scout uniform. Nell gestured him closer, showering him with compliments as she smoothed out the crinkled fabric.
Since Harper would be working and Patricia was out of town, Nell had come by to look after Lucas and make sure he got picked up for his camping trip the following morning.
That trip involved very little camping, apparently. A few months back, Lucas met a boy at a scout event, and the two had become close to inseparable. Cedric lived hours away, in Chicago, and to celebrate his birthday, he was spending the weekend at his family-owned lodge in upstate Illinois and had invited a few friends to join him, including Lucas.
Harper’s jaw had dropped when she saw pictures of that ‘lodge.’ It could house twenty people or more, easily.
“Did you finish your homework?” Harper asked. Someone had to be the boring grown-up, and Nell was too busy cooing.
Lucas groaned. “Do Ihaveto?”
“Yes, you do. You’re being picked up early, so if you don’t do it now, you won’t have time.” Harper grabbed his shoulders and turned him towards his bedroom. “Bring it out here, and Nell can help you. You can show her the rest of your stuff afterwards.”
An excited smile replaced his pout. He ran to his room so fast he nearly slipped on the linoleum floor.
“Have you heard from Patricia?” Nell asked when Lucas was gone. “She met with them this morning, right?”
Harper wiped sleep from her eyes. Most of her work hours went far past midnight. Even though it was past noon, she’d been sleeping when Nell arrived.
“She was supposed to, yeah. Haven’t heard anything yet, which doesn’t bode well. Not that it’s surprising. Those vultures have already proved how soulless they are.”
