Jumping to my feet, I motion for her to come in. Harper used to babysit me when she was a senior in high school. I don’t remember a lot from that time, but we used to have killer dance parties and play hide-and-seek. I was four or five, I think? She’s several years younger than Brad.
Today, her long curly hair is tied into two braids, one on each side of her face. She looks comfortable in jeans and a flannel shirt.
I give her a quick hug. “Good to see you, Harper. I’ve been meaning to drop by…” Except I have no idea where she lives. Harper moves around a lot.
“Ah, hell, Charlie. Don’t worry about it. I’m actually staying with Brad until I get back on my feet.”
I give her a smile, but lord, I’m an idiot. Harper has struggled with life for as long as I can remember. But she’s been without housing on and off for the last five years at least. Is that the reason Brad’s involved in Homes for Hope? To help people like Harper?
I motion to the chair in front of my desk. It’s just a folding chair since we’re striving to keep costs down. My report is waiting for me, and Raja could return at any minute, but I don’t have the heart to rush her.
“How have you been?” I ask, sitting behind my desk.
She shrugs. “I’m holding up.” Sliding into the chair, she scoots closer. “Brad says you might stick around this time. I hope that’s true.”
“Not you too, Harper.” I shake my head and cover my face.
She laughs, and it jerks me back to a happier time. As a kid, I was drawn to Harper’s joy for life. Where had that girl gone?
“Maybe stop being so lovable, squirt.”
“Hey!” But I laugh with her, and it releases some of the tension of the day.
She rests her arms on my desk. “I just want you to be happy, Charlie. Don’t let those a-holes run you off. Every town has people like that.”
“True.” Syd immediately comes to mind. “I seem to attract them.”
“Ha. Don’t we all.” Her braids swing as she rises to her feet. They’re tied with white-and-orange polka dot bows. “I won’t keep you from your very important work.” She taps my notepad full of scribbles.
I stand and turn it over as I walk around my desk. Did she notice her brother’s name and the little hearts? It was totally innocent. Those are the notes for my parents’ surprise anniversary party on Valentine’s Day. Not that I can tell her that.
I walk her to the door. “My work is important.”
Her smile is softer as she gently taps the side of my face. “You’re a good person, Charlie.” She brushes a finger over the scar I got as a kid while playing in the creek. I wonder at the sadness in her eyes. I’d do anything to get rid of it. Her smile returns, looking forced, and then she hugs me. And that feels real. “Don’t let my brother boss you around, squirt. You’re in charge.”
“I’ll try to remember that.” I hold her tight, trying to take away some of her pain. Pain that I don’t really understand.
She pulls back and holds my arms. “Just think of all the planks and squats he made you do. It’s payback time.” Her gaze darts past me. “Hey there, bro.”
I turn around so fast that I’m lightheaded. Or maybe that’s the sight of Brad, looking sexy as ever, in my office. My space.
His eyes are on his sister. “What are you doing here, Harper? You shouldn’t bother Charlie at work.”
She grins at him. “And yet, you’re here.”
“I’m— This is business.”
“Got it. Continue on.” She salutes him as she walks by and winks at me. “Later, Charlie.”
I don’t realize how close Brad is standing until Harper leaves. Did he grow taller in the four days since I saw him?
He tilts his head. “Working hard?”
That breaks the spell. “Actually, I am. The revised project assessment is due by Friday morning at eight, so I don’t have time to chat.” I sit at my desk, glad to have this Ikea-desk-disguised-as-furniture between us. “Just because you have free time— Wait. Why do you have free time, Brad?”
He chuckles as he moves the chair his sister just vacated around the desk and sits a few feet from me. Why does he seem so big? As if he’s filling the space. My space. “Is that a trick question?” he asks. “If I didn’t have free time, I wouldn’t be able to help with this project.”
“But what about wrestling. Aren’t there like a bazillion tournaments in February?”
