“Okay, Harp, I hear you. I’ve got to go, keep me posted okay? Like in real time from now on,” she scolds.
“I will.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
We hang up and I start scrubbing my face. Aggressively. Because I’m angry. I don’t feel like I really have a choice to see how something might go with Aiden, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.
BECAUSE HE WILL LEAVE LIKE EVERY OTHER DAMN PERSON.
I stop scrubbing.
These thoughts are not serving you, Harp.
Positive thoughts. Gratitude. Blooming. Blossoming. Boss Harper.
We are going to prove Aiden wrong and I am going to keep Dad’s shop open. My last couple ideas have worked. It’s not millions in revenue but we’re finally seeing an uptick in all the stores after each weekend. It’s working.
I just have to keep going. Keep pushing and tweaking. Keep avoiding Mr. Shirtless Selfie.
No! Mr. Vanderbully.
No?
…Aiden.
I just have to keep avoiding Aiden.
CHAPTER 22
Aiden: You are avoiding me
Harper: Who is this?
Aiden: Stuart’s coparent.
Harper: Very funny. [eye roll emoji]
Harper: Thank you for the fence.
Aiden: Is that why you’re avoiding me?
Harper: I’m not.
Harper: The MoTak is down
Aiden: *googles MoTak*
Harper: *almost laughs* [eye roll emoji]
Aiden: Which one of us is the mean one, again?
Harper: The one bulldozing half a town to make a few extra bucks per quarter
Aiden: Few million extra bucks per quarter. But fine.
_____
