Page 18 of The Attraction

As we pass through the living room/dining area, he points out the obvious and then shows me where a few of the basics are kept in the kitchen cupboards.

“On this side of the apartment is my office which is where I spend a lot of time when I’m at home. And I don’t want any workaholic comments because we both know you are just as bad. Tomorrow I will organize to have the extra guest bedroom set up as a temporary office for you. Just let me know what you need, and it will be done by the time you get home from work tomorrow night.”

Looking into his office, I’m amazed at the set-up. It almost looks like a control room with so many screens on the desk and the ones on the walls that look like they have just rolling data of different stock prices.

“Wow.” That’s all I can say.

He doesn’t reply but takes a few more steps down the hallway and points to the next door.

“And that is my playroom which you are welcome to use, but I am fussy about the machines in there, so please talk to me before you go in there the first time.”

Oh my God, the first thought that comes into my head is just not possible. I never would have guessed that about Forrest in a million years.

“Umm, what sort of playroom are we talking about?” I ask, trying not to show one ounce of judgment on my face.

He looks confused, and then it dawns on him. “Shit, no, not that, um, not even close.” He almost runs a few steps to fling the door open so I can see what is inside.

“I collect old gaming machines from when we were kids, you know like Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Pinball machines, and I even have one from the sixties diner era.”

For the first time since I met Forrest, I see the slightest blush on his cheeks.

“You’re right. Not what I was thinking.” And now I can feel myself blushing as I say something that I should have kept to myself. “Not that I would have minded if that’s what it was, but this is cool too.”

His head snaps back to look at me, and now I know it’s time to get out of here.

“I’m tired, yep, so tired. I’m off to bed. See you in the morning.”

I’m almost running to my room and close the door so quickly it makes a bang.

I wouldn’t even know what to do in one of those rooms, so what the hell was I thinking saying that?

I flop face-down on the bed and just wish I could close my eyes, count to ten, and start this day all over again, because the number of holes I have dug myself into today is ridiculous, and tomorrow I need to work out how to get back out of them.

Pretend like it never happened. Yes, that sounds like the best plan.

Not like Forrest is going to bring it up, with the way I embarrassed him when I said it.

Far out, Harper, how do you get yourself into these situations?

Snap out of it and get this under control. Tomorrow is a new day. Get it together, bitch, and start acting like you can handle this, because nothing ever keeps you down.

And this won’t either.

ChapterFive

HARPER

Waking up with a start, my face is wet with tears, my whole body soaked with sweat.

Shit, I haven’t had these dreams for so long that it makes me want to vomit at the thought of being right back at square one.

My mind runs over the same old things as I remember every part of the dream which became my nightmare last night.

“Daddy!” I run to the front door as I hear it open.

I’ve been waiting all day for him to come home and celebrate my thirteenth birthday.

I’m a teenager finally, and I don’t have to be in bed before eight thirty now. Amanda is going to be so jealous that I get to stay up later and she has to go to bed early, and Rachel doesn’t count because she is still a baby.

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