Page 175 of Almost Ours
Shane and Nina were already ahead, bickering about something ridiculous, their voices fading into the night. Kyle followed close behind, laughing at something Shane had cracked.
I lingered, my feet dragging, my mind racing. My gaze never left Harper, and when she fell into step beside me, it felt like the world was closing in around us.
I couldn’t take it anymore. Without thinking, I reached out, grabbing her hand gently.
Her fingers tensed for just a second, but she didn’t pull away.
I swallowed hard, feeling the heat of her skin against mine, my heart pounding in my chest. I wanted to say something, anything to fill the silence, but my throat felt tight, my both stuck.
We both opened our mouths at the same time.
“I–”
“You–”
We both stopped, exchanging a surprised glance before Harper let out a breathy laugh. “You go first.”
I hesitated. “No, you.”
She rolled her eyes, and for the first time all night, something between us felt easy. “I was just going to say that I think Nina might actually kill Shane tonight.”
That pulled a chuckle from me, even as the tension sat heavy in my chest. “Yeah. I give him three songs before she smacks him with the mic.”
“Three songs?” Harper scoffed. “You’re being generous.”
I shook my head, watching the way her lips curved into a small smile. It wasn’t the same as before–it didn’t reach her eyes–but I’d take it.
I glanced over at Kyle ahead of us and then back to her. “So… you met Kyle?”
She nodded. “Yeah. He seems like a great guy.”
“He is,” I said, glancing toward him again. “I think you two will get along.”
Her expression softened. “I think so too.” She hesitated before speaking again. “That program… is that what all those trips were for?”
My steps faltered for half a second before I nodded.
Harper exhaled, processing. “I figured it had something to do with you out there saving the world. I mean, I had no idea what, exactly, but…” She trailed off, shaking her head slightly. “I just wish you would’ve told me.”
I swallowed. “Harper–”
“No, I mean it,” she said, turning to face me fully. “What you’re doing for those kids is incredible. You should have told me. I would have supported you.”
“I know,” I admitted, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck. “If I told you about the program, then I would’ve had to tell you why it started. And I was scared to do that.”
Her expression didn’t change, but something flickered in her eyes. “Because of what happened with Kyle?”
I nodded, my throat tightening.
Silence settled over us as we walked, the easy moment slipping away like sand through my fingers. Harper glanced up at me, and the sight nearly broke me–her eyes were glassy, tears threatening to spill over.
And then, before I could lose my nerve, I spoke. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Harper glanced over, her expression unreadable. “Is it about the job with Kyle?”
I blinked, realization dawning. So, Shane and Kyle had already told her. A dull ache settled in my chest–I should’ve known they wouldn’t keep quiet.
“Yeah,” I admitted, exhaling slowly. “I didn’t want you to find out about me leaving this way. I wanted to be the one to tell you, after everything–”
