Chapter Fifty-Two
Harper leaned into Mitch. A moment later, as if suddenly realizing what he was doing, his arms were around her, his hands gently resting on her back.
With the same light touch, she placed her fingertips on his chest. This couldn’t be easy for him. Jeanie had been his life. Harper could only imagine what he was feeling. She hoped it was all good.
His kiss was tentative at first, but that changed, and the kiss became more certain. More deliberate. She would have smiled if her mouth wasn’t already busy.
He pulled away, breathing heavier than he had just a couple of seconds ago, but his hands stayed on her. “You’re sure you’re all right with this?”
“I haven’t run screaming, have I?”
“It feels strange.”
“I bet it does. Doesn’t feel strange to me.”
He stepped back and, after a second of hesitation, jammed his hands into his pockets. “I expected a very different conversation. One that did not include kissing you again.”
“And yet, you did.” She was more amused by this than anything. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I don’t know. Yes. I guess.” He took a deep breath and exhaled it all out. “Am I ready for this?”
“Are you asking me?”
“No. I’m asking myself.”
“Do you want to be ready for this?”
He looked into her eyes, then nodded. “Yes. I don’t know if Kyle is, though.”
“He’s an adult. You can always try talking to him.”
“Right. I should do that.”
“Look, whatever this is, I know it’s new ground for you. That you’re going to have a lot of feelings about it. I’m all right with taking things slow and in whatever way works for you. Assuming you want this to go somewhere.”
“I…think I do. Do you?”
She nodded, knowing he needed honesty. “I’m not going to be involved with someone just for the physical payoff. I’m too old for that. Besides, I know my worth and it’s more than being someone’s bed partner.”
“I never meant to imply—”
“You didn’t. But I want to be clear about my expectations so that you can figure out if it’s going to work for you. If we’re going to have a relationship, then it needs to be with a view to the future in mind. I’m telling you this because you have a lot to think about. You might as well have all the facts while you do that thinking.”
“You’re right, I do have a lot to think about. But this is good. I want to consider the future, too.” He smiled suddenly. “The future.” He snorted softly. “You know, just a few weeks ago I’d have told you I couldn’t have cared less what the future held. It didn’t matter to me. Now it does.”
That was a good sign. For himandthem. “I’m happy for you. That’s big.”
“It feels big.” He took another breath and seemed to be searching for words. “Okay. So you’re good with this? And it won’t affect our working relationship?”
“Not in a negative way. Should I assume we’re keeping this private until…”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’m sorry. That’s probably not fair to you, but I’m not ready to make a big thing about this. I need to talk to Kyle, obviously, but even then, well, you know I’m a private person.”
“And I’m good with that. It’s really no one’s business. But Frankie and Willa already suspect something happened between us.”
He put his hand on the back of his neck. “So did Joyce. And I thought we were pretty cool about the whole thing.”
“So much for that.”
