Page 81 of Make Her Mine

JEFFERSON

I don’t know what exactly happened, but something has changed with Harlow. But as a guy who’s had a lot of things come along that feel like just good timing and good luck, I’m comfortable simply enjoying this moment.

We walk toward the kissing booth, holding hands. Lots of people notice, and we get a lot of smiles. No one seems shocked, and many of the smiles seem knowing.

I don’t point that out, figuring Harlow would hate that. But I like it.

How can I convince her to keep this up past the end of the week?

“I was just coming to find you two.”

All the happy warm feelings evaporate as Zach strolls up to us.

Fuck, I really hate this guy.

“Why would you do that?” Harlow asks, pressing against my side.

Okay, maybe a few warm happy feelings remain.

“I was just going to offer to keep you company while Jefferson kisses the entire single female population of the county.”

I open my mouth to respond, but Harlow beats me to it.

“That’s not going to happen,” she informs him. “They messed up the scheduling. There is no way I am letting Jefferson kiss anyone else.”

Zach gives her a dubious look. “They messed up the schedule?”

“We told you, we haven’t been public for very long. They’ve had Jefferson on the schedule routinely for years. They just didn’t get around to taking him off after we let everyone know we were together.”

“So you're going to rob some charity of a bigger donation?” Zach makes a tsk-ing noise. “That’s so unlike you, Harlow.”

“Actually, we’re on our way over to donate right now. Believe me, I’m willing to pay a hefty price to keep this guy all to myself.”

She hugs my arm and I enjoy the press of her breast against my bicep.

I like this possessive side of Harlow. I hate that it’s fake, and I recognize the fact that wanting it to be real is problematic, but if Harlow ever felt possessive or protective of me, I would be immediately addicted. I have witnessed her feeling both of those things for other people. I have also been the target of her ire when she’s felt I was the one threatening those people.

“Flat-out donation, excellent idea,” Zach says. “I’ll come with you.”

“Why the fuck would we want you to come with us?” I ask him.

He looks around. “Probably because the Golden Boy Jefferson wouldn’t want to cause a scene.”

“I thought you were the Golden Boy,” Harlow says. “Oh, that’s right. You left. You barely come back to even visit. Whereas Jefferson came back to be a teacher and coach here. To contribute to the community. To support the people he loves and give back to the town that was so important to him growing up. He’s here in his hometown with his family and friends. And you are off doing what exactly again?”

“Oh, nothing important,” Zach says we all start walking across the square like a happy little threesome. “Just healing people. Making their lives better.”

“Strangers. Far away from here. In a city where you can make more money. Because that’s more important than taking care of the people here.”

I know that Harlow hates Zach. And I’m glad about that. But listening to her comparing the two of us and declaring that I’ve done something better, at least in her eyes, reminds me of all of the conversations she and I have had about people leaving Sapphire Falls and not coming home.

Is she finally convinced that I want to be here? That returning to Sapphire Falls was a choice I made and that I’m happy about it? Does she really understand that I did it because I love this town? And does she actually admire that?

We arrive at the kissing booth, and I’m greeted with several grins.

“There he is,” Travis Bennett says. “The man we’ve all been waiting for.”

I grin and shake my head. “Change of plans.”

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