Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
JULIAN
I needed to call Chance about an endorsement deal that required an immediate answer, and he talked my ear off. He’s a chatty bastard, and I love him for it. Just not today.
At least I gave Harper plenty of time to look around, get comfortable. I need to practice patience with her. While it may be a virtue, it’s not one I have.
I hope she’s up to hitting the zoo. It’s usually feeding time in the early evening and my favorite time to visit. I figure she’ll enjoy it too. Her face lit up talking about Noodle and otters. I picture us walking hand in hand, laughing, and then I’ll kiss her. I can’t wait to taste those lips. Damn, the anticipation is killing me.
I enter the room and seeing her in my space makes me feel strange. Content, maybe. “I see you found the best spot in the place.” She’s curled up in my reading chair, her hands under her cheek, her legs tucked underneath. I snap a quick picture because I need to capture this moment.
She doesn’t respond. A few steps closer and I realize she’s fast asleep. Champagne for lunch probably wasn’t the best idea, since she isn’t much of a drinker. I stand staring for longer than is proper, deciding if I leave her or move her to a bed. And if I put her in a bed, is it mine or the guest room? Fuck. I’m befuddled. Again.
Ashleigh sleeps in that chair the same way, and she’s fine. Leaving her is probably the best decision. I cover her with the throw and grab my laptop to set up shop at the kitchen counter. Close enough to watch her, far enough away it won’t seem creepy.
Having my muse here gives me the inspiration I need to finish my character sheet and send it to Priscilla. Harper gave me great insight and amazing little details to include as I flesh out Charlotte Jackson, New York dog walker to the stars. She’s beauty and brains, wrapped up in kindness and sweetness with a dose of sass.
My fingers fly across the keyboard as I begin my opening chapter. I’ve never knocked out so many words this fast. I might keep Harper hostage until this project is done. As Charlotte comes to life on the page, I’m not sure I want to share her with the world. I’m feeling fiercely protective. And possessive.
I consider Charlotte hooking up with a hockey player and glance at Harper. What’s the deal with her and Zac? If I ask Chance, it may open Pandora’s box for him and Lawson. I don’t want to put him in that position. She wouldn’t flirt with me if she’s in a relationship, would she?
I open my writing app and send a message to Priscilla.
JB: Here’s my first chapter and character sheet. Meet Charlotte Jackson. Your hockey player is going to love her. He’s going to fall fast. I’m not a typical fan of instalove, but this girl will do that to him. Let’s touch base tomorrow morning and plot out the next few chapters.
I hit send. Harper's phone buzzes sharply, breaking the kitchen's silence. It must be in her purse, which she left on the counter when she checked out the kitchen. The buzzing serves as a reminder to me. Should I wake her? She’s been out for a few hours.
I text Frankie and send him on an errand for dinner. As soon as it arrives, I wake up sleeping beauty.
“Hey gorgeous,” I whisper. I brush the hair away from her face and trace her cheekbones with the back of my knuckles. Even asleep, with a little drool at the corner of her mouth, she’s stunning. I lightly kiss her cheek, and her eyes flutter open. I get another surprised look, but this one is laced with panic.
She sits up quickly, and our heads collide. I hope I don’t get a black eye like Harvard. Does she think I’m too cute to look broken? I can only hope.
She lets out a little yelp and pulls her legs into her chest. She buries her face in her hands and is mumbling to herself. If I wasn’t worried that I’d frightened her, I’d say she’s adorable.
I reach out to brush her hair away so I can see her sleepy eyes. “Hey Harper. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I thought you might be hungry and, well, I didn’t want it to get cold.”
She splits her fingers and peeks out a little.
“I fell asleep?”
“Yeah, you looked so peaceful, I left you alone for a bit.”
She sits up and pulls herself together. It’s amazing to watch. I witness a transformation from a sleeping zombie to a fully in control woman. She rolls her shoulders, runs her fingers through her hair, and tugs her sweater down. She puts on a forced smile, and she’s even more amazing.
“While I appreciate the effort, it’s unnecessary. You’re beautiful. And I’m glad you feel at home here.” I hold my hand out to help her up. “Come on sleepy head, I’ve got dinner for you.”
She looks at me, uncertainty filling her expression. “Is that?” She motions to the kitchen counter where I’ve been working.
She's beaming from ear to ear. This is the most unfettered expression I’ve seen yet. She brushes past me and heads straight to the counter where a white and red bag waits for her. As she wraps her fingers around the large Chick-fil-A sweet tea and takes a long sip through the straw, all is forgiven.
We eat in relative silence, only broken by Harper’s moans of ecstasy over her chicken sandwich. Those moans are making me want more of her. She reaches into her purse and scowls at her phone.
“Everything okay?”
“Hmm, yeah, fine. Work stuff.”
“Dog walking?”
“What? Oh, no. It’s nothing.” She looks at it one more time and tosses her phone back in her purse.
“This was incredibly thoughtful. I’m sorry I ruined your afternoon plans.”
“No apology necessary. I’ve learned to cut off your drinking a little earlier, that’s all.” I tease her. “So before you Rip Van Winkled in my chair, find anything interesting while you were snooping.”
She blushes. “I was admiring your pictures, perhaps, but not snooping. I love the beach picture. You have a beautiful family.”
I know the exact picture she’s talking about. I put it in that room because every time I look at it, I get choked up. “Yeah, that was the summer before Mom got sick. Ash was ten, Alexander was in college, and I’d just graduated from high school. It was a magical summer and I’m grateful we had that time.”
My mom died seven months later. It hit us all hard, especially my dad and Ashleigh. I was away at college and missed a lot of her illness. Alexander and I were in the middle of baseball season, and they insisted we stay in school, be there for our teams. Then we got the call to come home because she didn’t have much time left. We were home for two weeks before she died. Two weeks to say goodbye.
Harper silently wipes a tear from her cheek.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I know you lost both your parents when you were in high school. That had to be rough.” I take her hand in mine, trying to comfort her. I can’t imagine what she went through, having her entire life turned upside down.
“No, I mean, yeah, it was. At least I had more time with them. I was sixteen. I miss them every day, but poor Ashleigh was so young.” She sniffles. I hand her a napkin, and her kind eyes tug at my heartstrings.
“She was young, but then I got injured the next season and had to have surgery. I spent a lot of time at home recovering, and we got close. Well, more like evolved from siblings to friends. We watched rom-coms, read Twilight , and did all the teenaged-girl things. It’s when I really developed my love for reading.” I wave my hand around the room to the shelves full of books.
“Have you read all these? Or are they only here to impress the ladies?”
“I’ve read most of them. I have a Tbr shelf in my bedroom. And for the record, you’re the first woman I’ve ever brought up here.”
She looks at me in disbelief. To the comment about women or the books, I’m not sure. “There are more books?” There’s that surprised look I’m excited to see. “It’s like you live in a library.” Yeah, I suppose it is like a library. But sometimes it’s the quiet I don’t like. What I do like? Having her here.
I beam. “Yep. I have some of your favorite authors around here somewhere.” She told me she likes romance, so I admit I have those to gauge her reaction to my book selection.
“Seriously?”
“Harper, I’ll never lie to you.” I put my hand to my heart, sealing the vow. Okay, so if she doesn’t ask, I don’t have to tell. That’s still being honest, right?