Page 88 of Love on Ice

“We haven’t been together long but … shit …” I say, stumbling over my words.

“Man, been there. Look, my little girls are driving me crazy. Having kids is a lot, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. When those two little devils look up at me with giant smiles on their faces I’m done for. I would die for them. Best thing I’ve ever done.”

“I want kids but …”

“You’re young,” Christian finishes for me.

“Yeah.”

“And that’s probably what Harper is thinking, too.” Shit. He’s right. “Look, maybe don’t put too much pressure on yourself, you don’t need to make any decisions just yet. Enjoy the summer together, then see where things go after that.”

“I don’t know if I can give her up at the end.”

Christian claps me on the back. “I get it. I had to let Ness go as it wasn’t the right time. Maybe you might have to do the same and hope the universe brings her back to you.” I nod solemnly.“Come on, let’s get back inside and have some fun. You need to loosen up and get out of your head.”

29

HARPER

Iwas a little dusty after last night, but it was so much fun catching up with everyone. This morning, I played tourist with Felix and explored Paris with him. We walked across the road to the Seine, and we took several photos of him and me with the Eiffel Tower behind us, then I dragged him up the Champs Elysée toward the Arc de Triomphe, which we climbed. We then meandered our way back through the back streets of the 8thArrondissement. I may have convinced him to stop at a couple of designer stores along the way under the guise of a wedding outfit, which was true because I can never decide what to wear. We also may have stopped at some watch stores for him because he has a watch obsession. He was a real trooper holding my bags, and he never complained, I think the glasses of champagne and macrons he was given while waiting helped. We then shopped at a local market for food for dinner tonight and grabbed fresh baguettes and some bottles of wine before heading back to the apartment and relaxing because our feet have had it.

“I’m in love with Paris.” Felix smiles as he sits down on my sofa and stares out the windows.

“There’s something magical about the place, isn’t there?” I open one of the bottles of wine we bought and pour ourselves a glass. I walk over, hand him his glass, and I take a seat beside him on the sofa.

“Thanks for today, I had so much fun.” He grins, clinking our glasses together.

“Even when I dragged you shopping?” I chuckle as I take a sip of my wine.

“Um, yes, I had the best view. Watching you walk out to me doing a twirl, looking so damn beautiful, was a highlight.” He grins.

“Think you’re the first guy that’s ever thought that.”

Felix puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to his side. “Like I’ve told you, you’ve been dating the wrong men.”

“Clearly.” I smirk, taking a sip of my wine.

“Who wouldn’t want to watch their girlfriend parade in front of them looking like a goddess? What would have made it better was if we had stopped at the lingerie store, and you did a little show for me.”

“You called me yourgirlfriend.”

“Oh, do you not like that term? Would you like me to use partner instead?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No, it’s just that sounds kind of like we are really dating.”

“We are really dating, aren’t we?” he asks, looking at me confused.

“Yeah. I guess the lines are starting to blur between us. We’re exclusive and now we’ve kind of put a label on what we are.”

“Harper, we’re dating, this is real to me,” he states sincerely, and shit a damn crack creaks in my heart. “Do you not feel it?” he asks.

“I feel it …”

“That sounds like there’s a but on the end of that sentence,” he states.

“Just reminding you it’s only for the summer.”

He nods. “I know, doesn’t mean I’m not all in,” he declares.Oh.“Would you like to be my official summer girlfriend?”

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