Page 52 of Almost Ours
The week had slippedby faster than I expected, buried under work, practices, and the endless to-do list that came with being a business owner. I hadn’t been able to stop by Benny’s in the mornings, and Harper hadn’t been to the last couple of practices. We’d been texting here and there, but it wasn’t the same.
The lack of her presence was starting to feel like a hole in my routine. The absence of her smile, her energy, was messing with me more than I wanted to admit. I hadn’t realized how much I’d gotten used to seeing her. How much I liked it.
Leaning back in my chair, I pulled out my phone and shot her a text.
Me: Got any big Friday night plans?
It didn’t take long for her response to pop up.
Harper: Oh, you know. Wild night ahead. Nina and Liam are coming over after school, and we’ll probably order takeout. I do not cook on Fridays.
I grinned.
Me: Solid life rule.
Harper: I think so.
I hesitated before typing out my next message. I wanted to see her. I also didn’t want to just invite myself over. A few seconds later, my phone buzzed again.
Harper: Want to come over?
Yeah. Yeah, I did.
Me: Wouldn’t say no to that.
I barely had time to set my phone down before it started ringing. Shane’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered
“Pub for dinner?” he asked.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Actually, I’m heading over to Harper’s.”
Shane was quiet for a beat. Then– “Ohhhh. A date.”
I rolled my eyes. “Connor is going to be there. Nina and Liam too.”
“Uh-huh.”
“It’s not a date.”
Shane made a noise like he was pretending to think about it. “Well, in that case…”
I sighed, already knowing where this was going.
“Pick me up on your way over.”
I pulledup to Shane’s place just as he was stepping outside, shrugging on his coat. He climbed into the passenger seat, tossing his bag onto the floor.
“You know, one of these days, you could just drive yourself,” I said.
Shane smirked. “And miss out on your charming company? Not a chance.”
I shook my head, pulling away from the curb. The sun was already dipping lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over the town. It was only four o’clock, but with winter settling in, daylight was starting to fade earlier and earlier.
By the time we got to Harper’s, the porch light was already on. I knocked once before pushing the door open, and Harper greeted us with a small smile, stepping aside to let us in.
She didn’t even blink at Shane being there, like she’d just assumed he’d invite himself. Which, fair. That was exactly what had happened.
