Page 31 of The Kissing Part
Harper leans close. “Rafael used to be such a menace with his camera, taking sneak shots of everyone who came over. One time Mom had this uber-famous guy stop by for dinner. Not naming names because it was the classicmovie stars behaving badlything. Anyway, he nearly destroyed Rafe’s camera when he caught him taking a picture of him. And you know what Rafe did?”
“What?” I whisper.
“He told him he’d never take his picture again, and one day this guy would wish he would. Rafe was only fourteen too. Talk about confident in his skills.”
“You have to tell me who the guy was,” I say.
Harper waves that away. I guess I should appreciate her discretion with industry people. I look over just as Rafael’s dad, Jake, finishes his speech.
“We wish you all the best in the world, and it’s nice to have you home again. Of course, not forever.”
Madison pipes up, “I have an awesome move-in-ready house for sale right here in Clover Park.”
Jake stares at his sister. “Really, Mad. A sales pitch?”
“I’m the number one real estate agent in the county for a reason,” she returns.
Jake goes on to congratulate his dad, Joe, and Brandy on their wedding anniversary. My mind drifts as several people go up to the microphone to share their congratulations. A sense of peace comes over me, one I haven’t felt since I was sixteen living with Claire. Maybe it’s not Owen I need so much as friends and family right here in Clover Park. Is it possible I’m in love with his family and not him? I brighten, feeling so much better. His family loves me. Why didn’t I see this before?
And there’s a move-in-ready house in Clover Park. It’s driving distance to the city. Mackenzie has an apartment here, and Harper just moved back from Boston and is looking for a place.
As soon as the congratulations announcements end, music starts up from the back room.
“Let’s dance,” Mackenzie says to us. “Hopefully I’ll run into Harry on the way and can test the waters.”
Nathan turns to Harper. “Still doing your Kira Stanley moves?” That was a pop singer popular when we were teens.
A rare blush dots Harper’s cheeks. “No.”
“I’ll dance with you,” he says. “Make you look good.”
“I’d rather dance with a gorilla.”
His eyes widen comically. “I don’t see any gorillas around here, do you?”
She looks all around before looking at him. “No, just one jackass.”
Mackenzie gasps.
“What’s your problem with me?” Nathan asks with no heat. Just like he’s curious.
Harper’s lips press into a flat line. “Nothing. I’m just not one of those women who fall at your feet because you smile or say something supposedly charming.”
“Are you jealous?” he asks with a smirk.
“He’s single at the moment,” Mackenzie puts in.
“Thank you, Mackenzie,” Nathan says drily.
“Let’s go, ladies,” Harper says, leading the way to the back room, where the party seems to have drifted.
I stop her and Mackenzie just before we get to the back room. “I’m having a great time tonight. Let’s keep the party going.”
Harper gestures ahead to where a bunch of people are dancing and singing to the Neil Diamond song “Sweet Caroline.” It’s the Boston Red Sox’s unofficial anthem. I’ve seen it on TV during their home games. “The party’s still going.”
I grab both their hands. “I want to buy that house your aunt mentioned. We can be roommates, and you can live there rent-free.”
“Yes!” Harper says. “Let’s do it. This is perfect! Now I can save up to buy my own house so much faster.” Even though her parents, Claire and Jake, have money, they don’t give their kids handouts.
