Page 17 of The Final Draft

“Yeah, you looked so peaceful, I left you alone for a bit.”

She sits up and pulls herself together. It’s amazing to watch. I witness a transformation from a sleeping zombie to a fully in control woman. She rolls her shoulders, runs her fingers through her hair, and tugs her sweater down. She puts on a forced smile, and she’s even more amazing.

“While I appreciate the effort, it’s unnecessary. You’re beautiful. And I’m glad you feel at home here.” I hold my hand out to help her up. “Come on sleepy head, I’ve got dinner for you.”

She looks at me, uncertainty filling her expression. “Is that?” She motions to the kitchen counter where I’ve been working.

She's beaming from ear to ear. This is the most unfettered expression I’ve seen yet. She brushes past me and heads straight to the counter where a white and red bag waits for her. As she wraps her fingers around the large Chick-fil-A sweet tea and takes a long sip through the straw, all is forgiven.

We eat in relative silence, only broken by Harper’s moans of ecstasy over her chicken sandwich. Those moans are making me want more of her. She reaches into her purse and scowls at her phone.

“Everything okay?”

“Hmm, yeah, fine. Work stuff.”

“Dog walking?”

“What? Oh, no. It’s nothing.” She looks at it one more time and tosses her phone back in her purse.

“This was incredibly thoughtful. I’m sorry I ruined your afternoon plans.”

“No apology necessary. I’ve learned to cut off your drinking a little earlier, that’s all.” I tease her. “So before you Rip Van Winkled in my chair, find anything interesting while you were snooping.”

She blushes. “I was admiring your pictures, perhaps, but not snooping. I love the beach picture. You have a beautiful family.”

I know the exact picture she’s talking about. I put it in that room because every time I look at it, I get choked up. “Yeah, that was the summer before Mom got sick. Ash was ten, Alexander was in college, and I’d just graduated from high school. It was a magical summer and I’m grateful we had that time.”

My mom died seven months later. It hit us all hard, especially my dad and Ashleigh. I was away at college and missed a lot of her illness. Alexander and I were in the middle of baseball season, and they insisted we stay in school, be there for our teams. Then we got the call to come home because she didn’t have much time left. We were home for two weeks before she died. Two weeks to say goodbye.

Harper silently wipes a tear from her cheek.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I know you lost both your parents when you were in high school. That had to be rough.” I take her hand in mine, trying to comfort her. I can’t imagine what she went through, having her entire life turned upside down.

“No, I mean, yeah, it was. At least I had more time with them. I was sixteen. I miss them every day, but poor Ashleigh was so young.” She sniffles. I hand her a napkin, and her kind eyes tug at my heartstrings.

“She was young, but then I got injured the next season and had to have surgery. I spent a lot of time at home recovering, and we got close. Well, more like evolved from siblings to friends. We watched rom-coms, readTwilight, and did all the teenaged-girl things. It’s when I really developed my love for reading.” I wave my hand around the room to the shelves full of books.

“Have you read all these? Or are they only here to impress the ladies?”

“I’ve read most of them. I have a TBR shelf in my bedroom. And for the record, you’re the first woman I’ve ever brought up here.”

She looks at me in disbelief. To the comment about women or the books, I’m not sure. “There are more books?” There’s that surprised look I’m excited to see. “It’s like you live in a library.” Yeah, I suppose it is like a library. But sometimes it’s the quiet I don’t like. What I do like? Having her here.

I beam. “Yep. I have some of your favorite authors around here somewhere.” She told me she likes romance, so I admit I have those to gauge her reaction to my book selection.

“Seriously?”

“Harper, I’ll never lie to you.” I put my hand to my heart, sealing the vow. Okay, so if she doesn’t ask, I don’t have to tell. That’s still being honest, right?

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

HARPER

“Harper, I’ll never lie to you.” He seems sincere, but there’s no doubt he’s had women here. The closet has women’s clothes in it.

“Um, hmm.”

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