Page 20 of The Kissing Part
I fill them in on my latest work onBreakdown,and the movie I’ve booked in Vancouver right after this, an indie film calledThe Highlighterabout an art dealer. “You should visit me there. Vancouver is gorgeous.”
“I grew up around sets,” Harper says. “Nothing more boring than watching everyone set up and do the same scene over and over.”
“I think it would be fun,” Mackenzie says.
I give her arm a squeeze. “Great!”
“You’d probably be working the whole time anyway.” Harper’s voice holds a note of FOMO.
I take her hand and kiss the back of it. “I’d make special time for you.”
She flutters her lashes. “With an invitation like that, how can I say no?”
We clink glasses again.
I bring in veggies and dip for nourishment while we catch up on each other’s lives. Harper tells us about her work as a graphic designer while Mackenzie fills us in on the latest with Brooks Campbell Security.
“Speaking of which, how’s the living situation with Owen?” Harper asks casually. They both know we were together as teens, though I never shared the details. It felt private and special. Just between me and Owen.
I slice a hand through the air. “Strictly professional.”
“Bummer.”
“Of course he’s professional,” Mackenzie says. “She hired him for a security gig. Securing this place and guard duty.” She turns to me. “You’ve got him until next Friday provided you have a suitable replacement for him.”
I’m fully aware time is running out. It’s already less than a week left. “My assistant’s looking into it. I’m sure she’ll find somebody soon.”
Harper sips her champagne. “Shay, you could’ve just asked Mom for a bodyguard referral. She knows everyone.”
I take a deep breath. “Honestly, I’m hoping for a second chance with Owen.”
They both stare at me, eyes wide. I’m taken aback for a moment. I thought they knew Owen was the love of my life. Didn’t the fact that I haven’t had a serious relationship since Owen show that no one could compare? Don’t they remember how happy we were together back then?
“Why do you look so shocked?” I ask.
“You broke his heart,” Harper says.
“He doesn’t believe in love anymore,” Mackenzie says. “Because of you.”
My stomach drops like a stone. I cross my arms tightly, hugging myself. He doesn’t believe in love? I did that?
“I feel terrible,” I say. “I never stopped believing in love. I thought…” I trail off at their sympathetic looks, my throat tight. All I can remember is how madly in love we were back then.
I swallow hard. “I didn’t mean to destroy his faith in love. He loved me, and I loved him, but what were we supposed to do about it back then? I was sixteen; he was seventeen.”
“That is young,” Harper says. “I shudder to think about still being with my boyfriend from when I was sixteen.”
“Right?” Mackenzie says. “You’ve always had the worst taste in men.”
“Hey!” Harper tosses a baby carrot at Mackenzie’s head. She catches it and chomps on it.
Harper huffs. “At least I didn’t wait until I was twenty-three to get a boyfriend like some people.”
Mackenzie lifts her chin. “So I had standards.” She sighs. “And then Shawn disappointed them, and I said to myself, self, why not just have fun and not worry so much about meeting the perfect guy, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. No expectations means no heartache.”
Harper inclines her head. “That’s fair. After Brian, I see the wisdom in that move.” Brian was Harper’s client, who became her live-in boyfriend of two years until she came home to find him in bed with another woman. Her friend and coworker. What an idiot. Brian, not Harper.
“So what brought this on?” Harper asks me. “Why do you want a second chance with my bro? She asks innocently with a hint of—” she drops her voice to a low threatening tone “—hurt him again and I’ll kill you.” She narrows her eyes at me.
