Chapter 6 #2
"So you're the other park ranger in the Giles family," Meredith says, looking me up and down. "My goodness, you are large. Do they grow everyone supersized in your family?"
“Everyone but me,” Sadie says cheerfully.
Nia, who's barely taller than Piper, laughs. "Welcome to the land of giants. I feel your pain." She extends a hand to Piper. "I'm Nia. Nice to meet you."
"You too, Nia." Piper's smiling, relaxing slightly.
Kade emerges from the kitchen in the most hideous Home Alone Christmas sweater I’ve ever seen, carrying a tray of coffee mugs. "Coffee? You two look like you need it."
"That would be stellar, ya filthy animal,” I say, shaking my head, as I take two mugs and hand one to Piper.
Our fingers brush, and I see Sadie's eyes track the movement. Damn it.
The next hour is madness—catching up, exchanging gifts, Meredith holding court from her chair by the fire and making observations that are equal parts hilarious and mortifying.
I slip Bear a treat as I try to maintain distance from Piper, but it's impossible.
My eyes keep finding her across the room.
When she laughs at something Nia says, I feel it in my chest.
And I'm not the only one who notices.
"You've got it bad, bro," Kade murmurs, appearing at my elbow. "Like, worse than I've ever seen."
"Shut up."
“Hey, I’ve always liked her.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “She’s also very clearly into you.”
I glance over. Piper's talking with Ledger about app development, animated and engaged, but even as I watch, her eyes flick to me and away.
“And Nia? That happened lightning fast.”
He nods. “I just couldn’t ignore it. I guess when you know, you know.” Kade squeezes my shoulder. "But for what it's worth? I've never seen you look at anyone the way you look at Piper. Jayce didn’t even—"
"Don't." I cut him off before he can finish.
He studies me for a moment. "Does Jayce know?"
I shake my head.
"Gonna tell him?"
"Eventually." I drain my coffee. "Probably should do it before someone else does."
"Probably," Kade agrees. Then, quieter he offers: "He'll get over it. Might take time, but he's not an asshole."
Deep down I know that. But the knot in my gut says it's not going to be that simple.
"Harlon!" Sadie's voice cuts across the room. "Can you help me in the kitchen?"
It's not a request by how she glares at me.
I follow her, and the second we're alone, she rounds on me.
"Okay, spill. What happened?"
"We got snowed in. We survived. That's it."
"Harlon Giles, don't you dare try to bullshit me." She crosses her arms. "Did you sleep with her?"
“How is that any of your business?”
"You did.” She actually pumps her fist. "Do you have any idea how long I've been hoping for this?"
I rub my hand over my face. "Sadie—"
"You've been into her since the day you met. Don't even try to deny it."
"I wasn't going to." I lean against the counter. "But it doesn't matter how I feel. She's Jayce’s ex. There are rules—"
"Screw the rules." Sadie steps closer, her expression fierce. "Jayce ended things with her. And you want to know something? He told me months ago that he knew she wasn't the one. That he cared about her, but didn't love her the way he should."
My head snaps up. "He said that?"
"Yes. He said he realized it wasn't fair to either of them to keep pretending." She pokes me in the chest. "So stop using him as an excuse to be a coward."
"It's not just that. She's—"
“Young, yes, I'm aware. She's also brilliant and independent and mature beyond her years in many ways." Sadie's eyes soften. "Harlon, you look at her like she hung the moon."
I shake my head and sigh.
She grabs my hands. "What if you finally let yourself be happy?"
I close my eyes. "Jayce is still going to hate me."
"You won’t know until you talk to him." She gives me a squeeze. "But he is your brother…and he wants you to be happy. Give him a little more credit."
Her voice goes steel. "But Harlon, if you walk away from her because you're scared, you’re a total dumbass. And more importantly, you'll never forgive yourself."
Before I can respond, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, and my stomach drops.
Merry Christmas, bro. Call me when you get a chance.
I stare at the message from Jayce, heart pounding.
"What?" Sadie asks.
I show her the screen. "Well. Guess you're telling him sooner rather than later."
"Yeah." I pocket the phone. "I should do it now. Before I lose my nerve."
"Good." She stands on her toes and pulls me down to kiss my cheek. "And Harlon? That woman is perfect for you."
I walk back into the living room, and my eyes immediately find Piper. I know I can't go back pretending these feelings don't exist and spending the rest of my life wondering what if.
Our eyes meet across the room, and everything else falls away—the noise, the people, the complications—none of it matters as much as the way she looks at me.
Like I'm worth the risk.
Like we both are.
Meredith says something I don't catch, but everyone laughs, and Piper ducks her head, that flush spreading across her cheeks again. When she looks back up, she's still watching me, and there's a question in her eyes.
I mouth later and she nods, understanding.
My phone feels heavy in my pocket. I need to call Jayce and have the conversation that could blow everything apart.
Whatever happens with Jayce, whatever obstacles we face—I'm done running from this.
Done denying what I feel.