Page 143 of Finally Mine
Harper shook her head.
“Happy trails leaving?” Aldo pressed. He was always calm in a crisis. Yet another thing Gloria loved about the man.
“Happy trails. Or, just reasonably okay trails at this point,” Harper joked.
“It’s not because of Luke and Linc’s fight to the death in the grocery store is it?” Gloria asked.
“I heard they were both banned for life after they destroyed the bread aisle,” Aldo interjected. “Buns and loaves everywhere.”
Harper rolled her eyes. “Well, the small-town rumors are one thing I won’t miss.”
“Are you giving up on him?” Gloria asked, her heart aching for her friend.
“I have to. For my sake. For his. I can’t change him. And I can’t stay here either.”
“You have friends here,” Gloria reminded her.
“And I’m so grateful to have you all in my life. But Benevolence is Luke’s home, and me staying here is just going to be a painful reminder to both of us of what was.”
Gloria weighed her words carefully. “I disagree with you, but as your friend, I will support your decision. As long as you promise to let us come visit you,” Gloria said. She felt her panic level rising. If Harper left before Friday, everything would be ruined.
“Of course,” Harper said with a teary smile.
“So where exactly will we be visiting you?” Aldo asked, hands on hips, still clutching a spatula. His gaze skated to Gloria, telegraphing the same feelings.She needs to hang in just a little longer.
“I’m not really sure, yet. I’m leaving Saturday, so obviously I have to have a plan then. I’ll let you know.” She bit her lip.
Gloria breathed a sigh of relief. Harper wouldn’t be leaving Saturday. She wouldn’t be leaving ever if everything went according to plan.
“Listen, when I do tell you where I am, do you promise not to let anyone know?”Harper asked.
“Anyone meaning Luke?” Aldo crossed his arms.
Harper shook her head. “No. Just anyone who doesn’t need to know. Like if a stranger asks you…or something.” She was fumbling this, making a mess.
“Are you in trouble?” Gloria asked. She knew exactly what kind of trouble Harper had been in. The man who had abused her and countless other children in foster care had gone to prison thanks in large part to Harper. He’d been sending her threatening letters and had escalated things by tasking Glenn with the job of killing Harper. It still made Gloria shake when she thought about how their monsters had overlapped.
But Luke had fixed it. There would be no parole for Harper’s monster. And obviously she didn’t know that yet.
Oh, hell. Things were going to get messy if Luke didn’t make his move.
“Everything’s fine. I just wanted to tell you both personally. You’ve been such good friends to me. I’m really going to miss you.” Harper’s voice cracked. “I love you guys so much.”
Gloria wrapped Harper into a hug again. “I wish I could talk you into staying.”
“Is there room for me in there?” Aldo grabbed them both and squeezed.
“One joke about a threesome, and I’ll smack you with that spatula,” Harper threatened.
Gloria giggled. “Promise me you won’t give up on love.”
“I promise,” Harper nodded. Gloria recognized the lie. Her friend had already given up, and it hurt Gloria’s heart. But soon, everything would be perfect.
When Harper left, Gloria looked at Aldo.
“She has no idea, does she?” Aldo asked gleefully.
“That Luke made sure her evil shadow will never get out of prison? That he’s planning the biggest, craziest grand gesture to win her back? That you spent nine hours yesterday helping Luke decorate the house for Christmas? Nope. No clue.” Gloria grinned.
