Page 28 of Capture The Moment

“Well, that was awkward,” Will said. “Are you ok?”

Unlike Nina, Harper was an easy read. At least, that’s what Finn always said, and apparently, it was true. “It was just so unexpected, that’s all,” she replied before taking a long slug of beer.

“Forgive me for saying so, but she seemed kind of…cold.”

Harper felt the corners of her lips turn up. “That’s putting it mildly.”

“Is it because you’re here with me, or is she always that way?”

“Both, I guess. We don’t have what you would call a close relationship.”

“I can see why. What did she mean about Blake’s birthday dinner? If you don’t mind me asking?”

Harper shook her head. “It was Blake’s mom’s idea. She’s making dinner as a way of honoring Blake on his birthday.”

Will nodded. “How do you feel about that?”

Twirling the beer glass around on the table, she said, “At first, I thought it was a good idea, but now, I don’t know. It seems kind of strange, doesn’t it? I mean, birthdays are meant for celebrating, and it feels odd celebrating when Blake’s not there.”

“Are you close to his parents?”

“I was when Blake was alive. They’re wonderful people, don’t get me wrong, but it’s harder to maintain a relationship with them now that the person who connected us is gone.”

Will nodded again, and suddenly, Harper realized that she had done most of the talking and it had primarily been about her dead husband. “Oh God, Will. I’m so sorry. This is probably totally depressing to you.”

He reached out and placed his hand over hers. “It’s ok, Harper. I get that losing your husband was a major event in your life, and I don’t mind listening.”

Staring into his hazel eyes, she felt—grateful. Here was a handsome young man who could have been out having a great time with his friends, but instead, he was sitting there letting her cry in her beer. Well, not literally. But she probably could have if she’d let herself. Running into Nina had really thrown her for a loop. I wonder if Nina will tell her parents she saw me here with Will?

Will glanced down at his watch and said, “I hate to do this, but I really should go. Are you going to be ok tonight?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be fine,” she said, noticing that he still hadn’t removed his hand from atop hers. And then it struck her that maybe that was all it would ever be for her and Will. He was kind and caring and a terrific listener, but she didn’t feel that spark with him. She’d wanted to, hoped to, but it just wasn’t there, and she knew that feeling wasn’t something one could conjure up.

Gently extracting her hand, she stood up and put on her coat while Will did the same.

On the way out the door, Will placed his hand on the small of her back, and when Harper looked over her shoulder, she saw Nina sitting at a corner table with her friends, watching her.