Stuart barks, probably calling me a big scaredy cat, and I just assume Aiden is going to hold his leash while I get the heck outta here. I think the beautiful, strange man is calling my name but I’m pretending not to hear.
Because remember this cannot happen, Harper. It can’t!
_____
I stay strong, avoiding him at the counter and hiding in my office while he sits in the shop. Watching. Waiting. What is he waiting for? Doesn’t matter. I’m leaving early. I file away some paperwork, text my employees that I’m leaving (ratherthan talk to them like a normal adult boss) and head to Tyrone’s to work on the Derby.
We work long into the night, me latest of all. Steven side-eyes me when he leaves near nine, knowing I’m basically about to turn into a squash. I’m staying out only partially so I don’t have to see my neighbor. We also have a lot to do and Betty took care of Dad’s dinner so I had the night off.
But, yeah, mostly the neighbor thing.
I yawn a couple times in a row and Tyrone kicks me out. I’m happy to go. I’m pooped.
I manage to keep my eyes open on the drive home and…what the heck is that? What is…
NO.
He cannot be serious.
I look over at Aiden’s house. Lights are mostly off. Still, he’s probably awake in there, since most people stay up much later than I do. He wants me to come over and yell at him. Or at least ask how, when?
So, I’m obviously not going to do that.
He may be getting hotter and kinder by the day but he’s still too much of a bully for me to just roll over and do what he wants. I get out my phone instead.
Harper: Did you get me a new fence?
The Dark Lord: I got Stuart a new fence.
The Dark Lord: At this point he’s more my dog than yours.
The Dark Lord: [selfie]
Holy crap.
“Holy crap!”
It’s a selfie. Aiden Vanderwell sent me a selfie. A SHIRTLESS SELFIE. WITH MY DOG.
This must be after a run. I bet Stuart got out and ran with him. They’re outside in the perfect evening light. He’s almost smiling…sweaty…his torso…his massive arm around my big furry doofus…
This is maybe the hottest image I’ve ever seen.
I…I have to tell someone! But Janie will scold me and Steven will celebrate…and probably save it as his phone background. Lily is too far removed. I’d have to fill her in on the whole situation. She probably won’t even have time to take my call, too busy with world domination.
Well. Too bad.
She’s my sister. She’ll have to make time. I manage to stop drooling over the photo long enough to swipe over to her contact and tap the video icon.
“Hello?”
“Hey, I need to show you something.”
“Is everything okay? It’s past nine there,” she says, knowing me too well.
“Yes. No? I have a lot to tell you,” I get out of my car to open the garage. An empty garage, thanks to the new, giant fence Aiden bought. “And then I have to show you something. Drop everything, okay? Stop working and talk to me?”
“Of course, you’re scaring me.”
