Page 10 of Make Her Mine

Harlow studies my face for a moment, then says, “I get it. He makes me crazy too. How about I’ll tell him that I was seeing someone and you just didn’t know we had broken up.”

That’s actually very decent of her. “Thanks,” I say.

“You’ll have to say it was someone from out of town or something,” Sasha points out. “No one in town knew about it. Your parents didn’t know.”

Harlow rolls her eyes. “It’s okay if not everyone in this town knows every detail about my life.”

But we all just snort at that. It would be okay, but not at all realistic.

Her dad is the town cop. Her mom is a partner in the busiest bakery in three counties. Everyone knows Harlow and they all keep track of her.

But there’s no one in this room for whom that isn’t true. Myself included. My mom is her mom’s partner in that bakery and my dad and his business partner, Lauren, are two of the biggest employers in town. Really in the entire area.

“Okay, well, I’m going to head out,” I say, jingling my keys. “Y’all have fun. Call me if you need a ride home,” I tell my siblings.

They just grin.

I let myself out and am down the front porch steps when I hear Harlow call my name.

I turn back.

She’s standing on the top step, arms crossed.

“Zach really said that he was here to get me back? In those words?”

“Yes. And he didn’t seem to think that it would be much of a challenge.”

I don’t think even Harlow knows everything I know about her history with Zach. But he was a manipulative, cheating, lying scumbag when they were together.

“Well, for what it’s worth, it will be a challenge. One he won’t win.”

“I know you don’t need help with him,” I tell her honestly. “I believe that you don’t want him back. I just really liked the idea of him not getting his way and him being as miserable as possible in the process.”

She gives a soft laugh. “I completely understand that sentiment.”

“Is he allergic to anything? Something we could sneak into his food?”

She grins. “No. Unfortunately.” She pauses. “But there’re always laxatives or something.”

I snort. “Well, I guess if I can't break his heart, chaining him to the toilet isn't a terrible option B.”

She laughs. “I'll keep thinking.” Then she gives me a sly look. “I know I seem very sweet, but I can be really mean when I want to be.”

“No way,” I deadpan.

“Yep.”

“Gotta say, I'm glad to be on your team rather than on the opposing side in this case.”

She crosses her arms. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.”

I roll my eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” I start to turn away but then…for some reason…I say, “Of course, when we are on the same team, some pretty great things happen.”

She narrows her eyes.

Yep, she knows exactly what I’m referring to.

“You do not want to go there, do you?” she asks. “Really? We were kind of getting along. For us. Can’t we just work on torturing Zach?”