Page 70 of This Feeling

“Couldn’t say. That’s a pretty big thing to ask of someone.”

“Yeah, it is.”

We walked the last bit of distance in silence. When we got to the front of the flower shop, we turned and faced one another.

“I had a lot of fun tonight, Declan.”

“Me, too, Harp.”

She chewed nervously on her lower lip. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for the night to end.”

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “Neither am I.”

“Are you working tomorrow?” she asked.

“No.”

Even in the light from the streetlamp, I could see her cheeks turning red. “This will be really forward…but would you like to spend the night with me? The shop doesn’t open until nine tomorrow morning, so I don’t have to rush down super early.”

Taking her hands in mine, I smiled and drew her closer. “Why, Harper Browning, are you asking me for a sleepover?”

A nervous bubble of laughter slipped free. “Yes, I am.”

Placing my finger on her chin, I raised it so our eyes met. “I would love to stay the night with you. Let me run over to my place to pack a bag.”

“When you come back, make sure to use the alley door. I’ll keep it unlocked.”

“Are you worried about someone seeing me come to your place?”

She laughed. “After this evening, I’m pretty sure the whole town will know what happened. If they don’t already.”

“Ah, yes, the gossip,” I said, as I took her hand in mine and we slipped into the small alley between the toy store and the flower shop.

As Harper went into her shop, I headed to my apartment and packed a small bag for the night. I wasn’t sure why my heart was racing in my chest. It wasn’t like this was my first time with a woman. I’d been with plenty of women, most of them one-night stands…but this was Harper.

Harper Browning. The one woman who’d had a starring role in my dreams for as long as I could remember.

After taking a few deep breaths, I grabbed my bag and started for the back door when my phone went off. It was late, so I assumed it was a Marine Corps buddy of mine. I groaned when I took my cell out and saw it was Sean.

“Shit.”

I pulled up the text and read it.

Sean: I need to talk to you when you get a chance.

Staring at the message, I debated whether I wanted to text him or wait until tomorrow. I decided that whatever he had to say could wait. I had Harper waiting for me, and nothing would delay this a second longer.

Ignoring the text, I threw the bag over my shoulder, locked the door, and made my way to Harper’s.

The door was indeed unlocked. I found myself looking around—and had to laugh. Harper had me paranoid now. After getting inside, I locked the door and headed up the steps, stopping at the door that led to Harper’s place.

I knocked, and she opened the door. “That was fast!”

“Well, the idea of a sleepover with you has me feeling…”

She raised a brow. “Feeling?”

Laughing, I replied, “Excited.”

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