Irritation with me aside, deep down, she had to be thrilled. She probably fought a smile. I bet she hopped a little bit like I’ve seen her do when a new customer places a large order.
And the thought that I did that, it has me more excited than the text I got earlier.
Which should maybe concern me, as it’s a message I’ve waited to hear, basically my entire life. I pull out my phone and look at it again.
Dad: Heard the Rockfords are starting to lose it over your recent numbers. Nicely done.
I tap back and down to the other message I keep staring at.
Aiden: Will I see you in the morning?
Harper: YES! Yes. Just stop.
I smile again, almost annoying myself at this point. Finally. Finally! After days of her dodging me, tomorrow morning I will ask the wanna-be California Girl out on a date.
_____
“Could you tell Harper I’m here?” I ask Madison.
“Um, she…”
“Otherwise there’s a new house with Stuart’s name on it,” I say, a bit louder.
Harper pops out from her office, saying,I’m here! Chill!with her wide eyes.
She stands at the counter and waits.
“How’s the oven working?” I ask quietly, though all the usuals are here, listening in.
“Great,” she says. She looks down and blushes a bit. I’ll take it as a thank you.
“And your dream car?” I ask sounding like the smug bastard I am. Her face pops up, irritated and not at all shy anymore. Beautiful.
“Fine,” she says. She crosses her arms and asks me if I’m going to order with her eyebrows.
I fight a smirk as I order, “I’ll take a box of cinnamon buns and a box of the bacon sandwiches, please.”
She nods and gets busy assembling the food. Keeping her back to me.
“Harper,” I say.
“Hmm?” She hums without turning.
I widen my stance at the register and cross my arms. She’s going to have to hand me those boxes. I can wait. Finally, after much faffing on her part with extra forks and napkins and whatever she can find, the moment arrives.
She places the boxes in front of me and I reach out to put a hand over hers.
“Have dinner with me,” I say.
Someone squeaks at a table behind my back. I simply do not care anymore. I am so close to the goal, eavesdroppers be damned. Harper cares though, she frowns, looks past me, then back to me. She blushes but she glances up, defiant, and I can read her face clearly.You’re commanding me like I’m the dog.
“I, I mean, will you go to dinner with me?” I ask the question but it still sounds like a command.
“No,” she says.
“No?”
“Have a good one,” she tries to flee but I grab her wrist. At that her eyes explode wide and shit, shit, shit, now I’m committing assault.
