“Sorry,” I manage to say above a whisper. I can feel my face turning so red I bet it’s almost maroon. I want to yell,I’m not a dog person! This is not my dog! This is not my fault!But I just add, “Thank you.”
Aiden clears his throat, “Shall I take him home for you?” I frown in confusion. Aiden looks over my shoulder at the shop which is still open. I look at Steven.
“I can watch it for a few minutes. Go ahead, Harp, I got you,” my friend answers me. He’s manned the registers a few times before in situations exactly like this one.
“Thank you,” I smile wide at Steven who really is one of the other great loves of my life. He wouldn’t talk to me for a while in high school because we were both desperate to kiss the same boy, I found out years later, but he’s never left. Never gone straight out of town to greener fields in a blaze of thunder.
Aiden snorts.
My smile dies.
“You need more staff. You can’t just leave the store,” he huffs. I reach for Stu’s collar and he puts his body between me and the dog. Like he’s keeping my dog from me! “I can easily take him back to your house.”
I close my eyes tight and exhale, “There’s a garage code.”
“So, text it to me. I’ll let you know he’s locked away before I head to the job site.”Text it to you? You think we’re going to exchange phone numbers?!Aiden answers what my face must be saying, “Yes, I’m saying give me your number. We’re neighbors, after all.”
I twist around him and grab Stuart’s collar, then say, “No, thanks!” And dart away before he can reply. I think I can make out Steven’s laughter on his way into the bakery but it’s hard to say. Because I’m running away.
Some boss you are, Harper!
_____
I love you so much,I say telepathically to my bed at 8pm. I normally try to make it until 9. Not today. Running Stuart homeas fast as I could on foot, riding my bike to and from work…I’m dead. I curl up on my side listening as a few early-spring crickets chirp outside. What a lovely sound to—
Buzz
Buzz
I groan and lift up to get my phone from the side of my bed.
Unknown Number: Stuart is at my house.
It takes a minute for me to comprehend what I’m seeing. My stomach flips as I do. Only the world’s most arrogant being would just state a fact like that, no need to introduce himself. Or apologize for getting my number from someone other than me.
Which means right now, Lady Bridgerton—Lord I mean! Lord Bridgerton,Aiden—is next door, texting me.
Unknown Number: You’ve got a faulty latch on your garage window.
Harper: omw
I sigh. Obviously I’m completely in let-me-be-ugly-and-comfortable-at-home mode. My hair is a nest on my head, I have serum on my face, plus lip oil…oh well. I search for my hoodie but can’t find it, so I throw on my big fluffy robe from Lily. It’s too warm for it this evening but I’m not putting my bra back on. I refuse.
I find my fuzzy slippers and trek to get my giant pet.
Aiden and Stuart are waiting for me in the driveway. The dog watches me approach, just standing, no leash, no fence.
“You were asleep?” Aiden asks when I near them.
“Almost,” I sigh.
“Stuart… Okay,” Aiden commands my dog, and on the last syllable, the secret spell holding him in place releases. He bounds over to me and licks my hand. I pat his head. Aiden sounds genuinely confused, “But it’s 8:06.”
I just look up at him and let my face say,uh, duh.
He seems to mentally kick himself as he says, “You’re up at, what, three?”
I just nod. Close enough.
