Page 247 of Finding Us

I swear, I do not understand these two. Do they never talk about this? I have to say something. I’m trying not to interfere, but I at least need to drop a hint.

“Now you sound like I did last year.”

“What do you mean?”

“Last year you kept telling me that Garret wanted to marry me and I didn’t believe you. Now it’s my turn to tell you that Sean would marry you tomorrow if you wanted him to. I know he would.”

She laughs. “Well, that’s not going to happen so don’t start shopping for bridesmaid dresses.”

“I’m really happy for you, Harper.”

“I know you are.” She laughs again.

“I’m serious. I’m happy for you. Why are you laughing?”

“Because I know you and Garret are secretly hoping Sean and I get married. And I know for a fact if I don’t marry him someday, you’ll never speak to me again.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes it is.”

Now I’m laughing, too. “Okay, I admit I’d be annoyed with you but I’d still talk to you. I’d have to. How else would I lecture you on what a huge mistake you made letting Sean go?”

“Yeah, you’d totally do that. But I lectured you about Garret all last year so I guess you owe me.”

“I didn’t mind your lectures. I needed to hear that stuff.”

“Speaking of lectures, you need to get to work on that baby.”

“Excuse me?”

“I want to be an aunt, Jade, so hurry up. What’s taking so long? You should be pregnant by now. I told you I wanted that baby next summer.”

“Well, you’re not getting one. I’m only 19. I guess I’ll be 20 next week, but I’m not going to get pregnant at 20.”

“Why not? You’re in good shape. Your eggs are fresh. If you wait too long, your eggs will be old and you don’t want to make a baby with old eggs.”

We both laugh. “Seriously, Harper. Do not talk about my eggs.”

“If you get pregnant, I’ll marry Sean.”

“There is no way I’m agreeing to that. I’m sure you’ll marry Sean long before I get pregnant.”

“I don’t know about that. As much as you and Garret do it, I think there’s a strong possibility I’ll get my little niece or nephew before Sean even gives me an engagement ring.”

“Can we please change the subject now?”

“Actually, I need to go, but I’ll call you later. Tell Garret I said hi.”

“Okay, bye.”

Now I’m even more confused about the Harper-Sean dilemma. It sounds like she wants to marry him, just not in the near future. So maybe Sean should take the job in California. If she wants to marry him, she’s not going to break up with him if he moves. Or maybe she would. Harper’s a touchy-feely type of person who craves physical contact. A phone call isn’t enough. She needs to be able to hug Sean and kiss him and everything that comes after that. If he’s not around, maybe their relationship wouldn’t survive.

“Nice day to be outside.” I look over and see Walt sitting next to me on the bench.

Where didhecome from? I grab my backpack and get up. I don’t want to be around this guy. He makes me nervous.

“No need to hurry off,” he says. “I could move to a different bench if you’d like. I’m just waiting for a meeting to start in the building behind us.”

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