She smiled."Do you think we're overusing the word a bit here?"
"Maybe, but I think we can be forgiven, don't you?"
"I do."
"I hate that I can't hold you in my arms right now."But he held his left arm out, and she leaned against him, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment before lifting it up again as she said, "I feel like we should get a beautiful sunset now and everything should fade away as we ride off into a happy new future together.But this is real life and it doesn't work that way, does it?"
He sighed."It doesn’t, and I think we know that better than most.I'm glad you talked to the girls.But..."
"But it doesn't change things."
"Not immediately.No."
"It's okay," she said."I don't expect that us exchanging those beautiful words is going to change anything practical right now."
"Saying the words might not change what happens today or tomorrow, but I for one don't want to downplay them.I never thought I'd say them again — not to anyone other than the girls."
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips."I didn't mean to underplay them.In fact, I'll say them again because I can.I love you, Emmett."
The humor that shone in her eyes was just one of a thousand reasons why it was so easy for him to say, "And I love you, Harper."
Her smile faded."But what I meant was, I'm still going back to the cottage tonight."
He nodded."And that's probably for the best, for now at least."
"You know how you were worried that I might not like you having told the girls that you love me?"He smiled."I love saying those words.Well, I'm afraid that you might not like that I told Blane before I told you."
Her eyes widened."Oh, crap, how did that go?"
He chuckled."It went well, really well.He talked me down when I was panicking that I couldn't see a way."
"He did?"
"Yeah.And he was right.It might be difficult right now, but with time, things can change.The girls — or, let's be honest, Alana — have had to get used to an awful lot in a very short space of time.I haven't dated anyone since Emily.Then all of a sudden, you went from giving her a ride home from rehearsals to dating her dad and living in her house.Blane suggested that maybe we should take things more slowly, that this—you going back to the cottage—doesn't have to be an ending, more of a readjustment."
She nodded, but he could see what she was thinking.
"He wasn't using it as a way to get you out of the house."
"Are you sure about that?"
"A hundred percent sure.You need to get used to the fact that Blane's okay with you.If he weren't, you'd be in no doubt about it."
"Well, okay then.I suppose it's about time I started taking him at his word."
"It is."
She checked her watch."And on that note, what do you say?Do you think we should go and set the girls' minds at ease?"
"Yeah, I do.We can all have dinner, and..."
She shook her head, and he knew she was right when she said, "You all can have dinner.It's ready to go.I'll make you a plate before I leave if you like."She gave him a sassy smile."Or if you prefer to do it yourself, I'm sure you're capable, but I'm going to head back to the cottage.I think the girls need you to themselves tonight.They should be able to talk about how they feel without me in the room."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer, brushing his lips over hers once, twice, three times, before leaning back to look in her eyes."I wish you didn't have to go, but you're right."
She pretended to preen as she said, "Aren't I always?"Then her smile faded."In fact, don't answer that.We both know damn well that I'm not.But for now, I'll come inside, say goodbye to them, and...If nothing else, I'll see you on Friday night — opening night."
All he could do was stare at her for a moment."That's three days away, Harper.I can't imagine..."
