Page 76 of This Heart
Me: LOLOLOLOLOLOL! I’m scared, Harp. What if I’m reading him wrong and he only wants to be friends, but then what if I’ve been such a chicken this whole time, and everyone is right when they say he has feelings for me as well, and we’re both just being stupid? I’m doing the right thing, right?
Harper: Holy fucking run-on sentence! What is the matter with you, Aurora?
My head dropped against my headrest. I had no idea what was wrong with me, so I couldn’t possibly answer her question.
I jumped when my phone went off with another text.
Harper: Aurora…stop sitting in the car and just go into the house.
Quickly looking around, I slowly shook my head.
Me: How did you know I was still in my car?
My phone rang and I quickly swiped it.
“Hello?”
“Do you want to know how I know you’re sitting in your car still?”
“Yes, please!” I stated in my most offended-sounding voice I could make.
Harper sighed. “I’ve known you a long time, Aurora. I knew you had feelings for Liam before you even knew it. I know you’re worried that you’re going to be setting yourself up for heartbreak, but you’ll never know unless you try.”
“Harp, Hope hasn’t even been gone a year yet, and you want me to swoop in and try for her husband?”
“No, I want you to get out of the car and go have dinner with Liam. See where things are between the two of you and then take it from there.”
A sudden ache developed in my chest. “I’m afraid he’s going to break my heart in two, Harp. I’ve never felt this way about a guy. Not even jerk face.”
“Oh, Aurora. Honey, I know you’re scared, but you can’t live the rest of your life in your bookstore hiding from your own feelings because you’re afraid you’ll be hurt.”
I was about to argue with her, but she was right. That was exactly what I was doing.
“You’re right. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, and that stops now.”
“I have a feeling that Liam hasn’t invited you over to talk about being just friends.”
Before I could say anything, a light knock on the driver’s side window caused me to cry out.
“Holy shit!”
“What is it?” Harper quickly asked.
I turned to see Liam standing there, a smile on his handsome face.
“Nothing. Sorry I yelled in your ear. Liam knocked on my window.”
Harper laughed. “Well, stop talking to me then and get out of the car, Aurora!”
“Oh, yes, right. Okay. Bye, Harp. Love you.”
“Have fun!” she cried out as I pressed the end button on my phone. Reaching for my purse and the little cat carrier, I opened the door as Liam stepped back. Once I was out, he took the cat from me.
“I thought you were going to request that I deliver your dinner to the car.”
A bubble of nervous laughter slipped free, and I shook my head. “No, sorry. I was talking to Harper about…well…it’s nothing important. I mean it was important, I was getting advice, about…well, it doesn’t matter. I’m sorry if I’ve kept you waiting.”
“Not at all,” he said as he placed his hand on my lower back and guided me toward the front door. My body instantly reacted with goosebumps running up my skin, and my heart fluttered.
