Page 46 of The Final Draft

I’ve come to appreciate Zac so much more. He’s a good guy, even if he is a fuck boy. He hasn’t met that “different” girl yet. But he will. And I vow to walk beside him when he does because it’s going to turn his world upside down.

The cab pulls up to our building, and I get out, followed by Zac. I hug him, and he pulls back and tucks my hair behind my ear. Worry crosses his face as he tries to manage my emotional roller coaster.

“Thanks, Zac. Your friendship means more than you know.” I give him a playful shove. I’ll always cheer for my brother, but I may have become a full-blown Havoc fan.

He laughs and throws his arm around me as we enter the building.

“CJ, you sure do like playing with fire, and I’m here for it. Just don’t get burned.”

“Well, let’s hope I don’t need to call New York’s bravest, or that will be a whole new book I’d have to write.” We both laugh as we go upstairs to get Noodle for his nighttime walk.

CHAPTER

THIRTY

JULIAN

I watch Zac and Harper embrace when they get out of the cab. Should I have gone home after dinner and planned how to approach this? Absolutely. Did I? Fuck no. We need to talk. I couldn’t offer to take her home, or Chance and Lawson would know something’s up. My confidence waivers as I watch this scene unfold on the sidewalk.

“Does it look like she’s been crying? She looks like she’s been crying.” Kat, tilting her head, looks at me through the rear-view mirror, her expression unreadable.

“Are you asking me or talking out loud like a crazy person?”

Shit. I said it out loud. I’ve stalked her home, and now I’m sitting in my car watching her. Like a fucking crazy person. “What am I doing, Kat?” I exhale. I put my head in my hands and try to get a grip.

“What happened at dinner that would make her cry?” Kat asks. So she has been crying. Fuck.

“I don’t know. There was lots of laughter, joking. Pretty lighthearted. Maybe it was hard for her to say goodbye to Lawson, but she’ll see him tomorrow. I don’t know what would make her cry. You don’t think Zac did something, do you?” I swear if he hurt her, I’ll kill him and throw his body in the East River.

“Doubtful. He’s consoling her. What did you do?” She raises her eyebrow and glares at me.

She knows I haven't told her everything. Looking back at our conversations, she gave me the opportunity to tell her, but I didn’t. I wonder how long she’s known. Granted, I withheld the details, but I’ve never lied to her. But maybe this is good. We aren’t hiding anymore. I can be vulnerable with her. Vulnerability is intimate. Sexy. Yeah. A spark of hope ignites.

“I didn’t do anything. At least not intentionally.” My voice fades as they come out of the building with Noodle. I’m glad to see Zac walks with her in the evenings when he’s home. Or is it because she’s upset? Or they’re more? I’m questioning everything.

“Go home, Kat. I’m flying without a net here, and you don’t need to see the carnage.” I open the door to get out and meet the couple on the sidewalk.

Zac puts his arm out and pushes Harper behind him while Noodle licks my shoes. Two opposite reactions to my unexpected appearance. Harper’s surprised look is a little more apprehensive than happy, and I feel responsible.

“Jesus, Decker, you scared the hell out of me,” Zac says when he realizes it’s me. I guess men jumping out of cars after dark in New York is suspect. Whoops.

I can't help but stare past him, my eyes fixated on Harper. She’s hiding behind him, but I can see the corners of her mouth turn up.

Shifting my focus back on him, I put my hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, man. Thanks for watching out for her.” I want to thank him for the way he protected her from a potential threat, but the look he’s giving me says he knows.

With a desperate plea in my eyes, I look back at her, hoping she will hear me out. Forgive me. “Harper, can we talk?”

Zac and I wait for her answer. Whatever she says, we’ll obey. This girl owns us both.

She bites her bottom lip while she’s thinking and finally nods to herself. Decision made. “Sure, let’s take Noodle for his walk.”

Zac looks back and forth between us, doing his own assessment. “Yeah, I’ll head back upstairs. Got your phone?” He’s still in protection mode and, while I appreciate it, he doesn’t have to protect her from me. Ever. She pulls it out of her back pocket as proof. He turns around, glances at Kat watching us from the car, and gives her a fuck-boy head nod. That’s all it takes for her to drive off, and I’m officially on my own.

I take Noodle’s leash from Zac, hold out my hand to her, and she accepts it. Her fingers intertwine in mine, her small hand fitting perfectly, despite the size difference. Okay, so far, so good. We walk to the park in silence. I'm taking this time to map out a plan, to decide where to even begin this difficult confession. Which I should have done before ambushing her on the sidewalk.

We walk around the circle of the small park in silence, allowing Noodle to do his business and sniff a spot every few feet or so. She must be growing impatient with me because she leads us over to a bench and sits. Noodle and I dutifully follow her. I put his leash between us, and she releases my hand to pick up the dog. He snuggles into her lap like it’s his spot. She absently rubs his ears and waits for me to talk.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I start with a question. “So why Pricilla Jenkins?” I might as well acknowledge the proverbial elephant in the room.

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