Ben hands me a scotch out of nowhere, “Uh huh, andthisis what, exactly?”
I turn to fully face him, “The hell is it with you and labels all of a sudden? I want her, she wants me, do the math.”
“I did, I figured you have twenty-four hours left before everything goes up in fireworks, literally.”
“I’m not contractually obligated to leave on July 5th,” I say.
He laughs, “How bloody romantic! Is that what you did to get her to kiss you in the field, then? Talk about contracts?”
I frown, “You know about that?”
He frowns right back, “Brother, Janie is one of Harper’s best friends, I’m getting a damn play by play unfortunately. Makes Janie very cross with you and thus cross with me!”
“What’d you mean play by play? What did Harper say? Did she explain why she won’t give us a try?” Ben’s face goes slack like a ghost just walked by. “What? What did she say?”
“You’re in love with her,” he says, running a hand down his face.
“I’m what? I, no,” I stutter.
He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes, “I’m happy for you, Aid, truly. I thought this was just a conquest, you know? But you really—”
I shift out of his hold, “I don’t really anything. I’m not, I don’t…”
“Alright, you don’t,” he lifts his hands in surrender. He looks away, trying to be casual as he says, “It’s just a good shag, then. Better that way, yeah? Not like you’ll stay in this town and run the world on bloody zoom calls from the bakery. And marry her and have a gaggle of Juniper Falls babies. A Vanderwell would never.”
“Right,” I say softly, absently. I know he’s trying to rile me up but hell if it’s not working. My hand is shaking and my mind is reeling. Ben just said way too many things.
Am I…do I?
Damn it!
I rub at my chest, which is suddenly tight.
“Excuse me,” I mutter as I walk away from Ben and the weird way he’s studying my face. He’s the one that has occasional panic attacks, not me. I never getemotional.
I decide to make for an exit so I can breathe some fresh air but Harper comes back into view. She’s laughing with Janie and Steven. She looks happy and free. Breathtaking.
I decide to walk to her instead. I can get some oxygen later. If I die, so be it.
Just as I reach her, a Beach Boys song comes on, one of the slow ones.
“Dance with—” I stop myself. “Harper, will you dance with me? Please?”
She nods, blushing.
I lead her by hand to the floor where other couples are already swaying. She gasps as I pull her close to me, close enough to make a statement. Because I am a needy, possessive bastard, apparently.
“You look beautiful,” I say.
“You too,” she says with a small smile.
“Yes, I know, I wore my most expensive tux,” I smirk down at her.
She frowns, “You did? For this? Why?”
“To seduce you, obviously.” I slide my hand on her lower back a bit lower still. “Is it working?”
She lets out a nervous laugh and says, “It’s notnotworking.”
