Chapter 14
Harper
The ballroom is breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting warm golden light across white-linen-covered tables.
Centerpieces of roses and candles create little pockets of intimacy in the massive space.
A jazz band plays softly on the stage at the far end, and everywhere I look, people are laughing, drinking champagne, looking like they belong in a magazine spread.
And I’m walking into it hand-in-hand with Micah Sanders.
His palm is warm against mine, steady and grounding, and I’m hyperaware of every point of contact—his thumb brushing against my knuckles, the way his fingers lace through mine like they’ve done this a thousand times before.
This is fake, I remind myself. Remember that. This is all fake.
But it doesn’t feel fake.
“Are you okay?” Micah murmurs, leaning down so only I can hear.
I glance up at him and force a smile. “Yeah. Just taking it all in.”
“It’s a lot.”
“Understatement of the year.”
He squeezes my hand gently, and we move further into the room, and I scan faces, looking for someone I know.
“Harper!”
I turn to see Dr. Bailey, my principal, making her way toward us with a warm smile.
She’s in her early thirties—a powerhouse in a navy gown with the presence that makes you want to be a better human just by being near her.
Mariah Bailey is the kind of woman who runs a school like it’s a Fortune 500 company and still remembers every student’s name.
“Dr. Bailey, hi!” I let go of Micah’s hand just long enough to give her a quick hug, then immediately reach for him again. “I’d like you to meet Micah. Micah, this is Dr. Mariah Bailey, my principal.”
Micah extends his free hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Bailey. Harper talks about you all the time.”
“Oh please call me Mariah.” She shakes his hand, her smile widening. “All good things, I hope.”
“Only the best,” he says smoothly, and I have to fight the urge to stare at him.
Since when is Micah smooth?
Mariah turns to me, eyes twinkling. “Well, Harper, you’ve been holding out on us. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone new.”
Her emphasis on the word new makes me nervous.
Of course she knew about Collin. She had to approve our relationship disclosure form when we started dating—standard protocol when two staff members are involved.
The breakup, which was all anyone whispered about in the halls the first week after it happened.
“It’s still pretty new,” I say quickly, feeling heat creep up my neck. “But I feel like I’ve known him forever! Everyone says we’re rushing things, but…we like to say…umm.”
I glance up at Micah, panicking slightly, praying he’ll follow my lead.
He doesn’t miss a beat. His expression shifts, and he looks down at me like I just said something profound. “We like to say you can’t rush true love.”
Oh. That’s... actually fantastic.
Mariah’s face lights up. “Aw, you two finish each other’s sentences! That’s adorable.”
Micah squeezes my hand, playing the part perfectly. “Harper makes it easy.”
“Well, good for you, Harper,” she says, her tone genuine. “I’m glad to see you moving on. You deserve someone who makes you happy.”
There’s weight behind those words—an unspoken acknowledgment that Collin didn’t.
“Thank you,” I manage.
She glances at Micah. “What do you do, Micah?”
“I run the children’s ministry at a church here in Dallas,” he says. “So I guess you could say Harper and I both work with kids. Just differently.”
“How wonderful.” Mariah looks genuinely pleased. “It’s always nice to meet someone who understands the calling.”
Micah smiles, and I catch a glimpse of those dimples. “Harper’s one of the best. Her kids are lucky to have her.”
My cheeks heat. “He’s biased.”
“I’m honest,” he corrects, squeezing my hand.
Mariah excuses herself to greet other guests, and I’m left standing there with Micah, trying to process what just happened.
“That went well,” I say.
“She seems great.”
“She is.” I glance around the room again, scanning. “Okay, so far so good. We look like a couple. We’re believable. This is—”
“Harper Mitchell!”
I turn to see James Flintlock, the superintendent of Dallas ISD, approaching with a broad smile. He’s tall, gray-haired, and has the type of commanding presence that makes everyone stand a little straighter.
“Mr. Flintlock!” I straighten automatically. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Likewise. I was hoping you’d be here tonight.” He shakes my hand warmly. “I wanted to personally congratulate you again on Teacher of the Year last spring. Your classroom observation was the highlight of my year.”
Pride swells in my chest. “Thank you so much. That means the world.”
His gaze shifts to Micah, curious. “And who’s this?”
“This is Micah Sanders, my boyfriend.” I loop my arm through Micah’s. “Micah, this is Mr. Flintlock, our district superintendent.”
Micah extends his hand. “It’s an honor, sir. Harper speaks highly of your school district.”
“Does she?” he chuckles. “Well, any man who can keep up with our reigning Teacher of the Year must be something special.”
“I like to think so,” Micah says, glancing down at me with a soft smile.
James nods approvingly. “Well, don’t let me keep you two. Enjoy your evening. And Harper—keep up the excellent work.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He moves on, and I exhale slowly.
“Teacher of the Year?” Micah says, impressed. “You didn’t mention that.”
“It didn’t come up.”
“That’s a pretty big deal, Harper.”
I shrug, but I can’t help smiling. “I’m good at my job.”
“You’re more than good.”
And the way he says it—like he genuinely means it—makes something warm bloom in my chest.
I’m starting to relax. Starting to breathe normally. Starting to think that maybe this night won’t be so bad after all.
And then I see him.
Collin.
He’s standing near the bar, laughing at something someone said, and he looks... good. Really good. Black suit, perfectly tailored, hair styled just right.
But something else grabs my attention.
It’s the girl next to him.
She’s beautiful—blonde, elegant, wearing a stunning red dress. And she’s draped over him like she belongs there, her hand resting possessively on his arm, her laugh bright and easy.
As I watch, she leans up and kisses him.
Not a quick peck. A real kiss. The kind that says, mine.
And he kisses her back.
My entire world tilts sideways.
He moved on.
He moved on fast.
Like I wasn’t good enough to remember. Like six months together meant nothing. Like he could see me every single day at work and just... forget.
“Harper?”
Micah’s voice sounds far away, muffled, like I’m underwater.
“Harper, are you okay?”
I force myself to look away from Collin, to focus on Micah’s concerned face.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I’m fine,” I repeat, sharper than I mean to. Then I plaster on a smile that feels like it might crack my face in half. “I just need champagne.”
“Harper—”
“Champagne, Micah. Please.”
He studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “Okay. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
He heads toward the bar, and I stand there alone, trying very hard not to look at Collin again.
But I can’t help it.
My gaze drifts back, and this time, the girl is laughing at something he said, her hand on his chest, and they look... comfortable.
Like I never mattered at all.
Micah returns with a champagne flute, handing it to me. “Here.”
I take it and down half the glass in one go.
His eyebrows raise. “Easy.”
“I’m fine.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because I am.”
He doesn’t look convinced. He glances across the room, following my earlier line of sight, and I watch as his expression shifts—understanding dawning.
“That’s him, isn’t it? Collin.”
I nod, taking another sip.
“And that’s...?”
“Someone he moved on with. Apparently.” I drain the rest of my glass and set it down on one of the tall cocktail tables scattered around the perimeter for mingling. “Fast, too.”
Micah’s quiet for a moment, then says gently, “Harper, we don’t have to do this. If you want to leave—”
“No,” I cut him off, my voice firmer than I feel. “No, I don’t want to leave.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I look up at him, squaring my shoulders.
“I’m here. You’re here. We have a plan. And I’m not letting him ruin this night.
Besides—” I glance back at Collin, trying to convince myself.
“We don’t even really know that they’re actually together.
What if he’s doing the same thing? Trying to make me jealous? ”
Micah just nods, but I can tell he doesn’t believe it for a second.
“Okay,” he says carefully. “But if you change your mind—”
“I won’t.”
He nods slowly, then holds out his hand. “Then let’s give them something to talk about.”
I take his hand, lacing my fingers through his, and let him lead me further into the ballroom.
This is fine. Everything is fine.
And I’m going to make sure Collin sees exactly what he’s missing.
The next hour passes in a blur of introductions and small talk.
I introduce Micah to everyone we pass—teachers, administrators, district officials. And every single time, I gush.
“This is Micah, my boyfriend. Isn’t he wonderful?”
“Micah runs the entire children’s ministry at his church. He’s so dedicated.”
“We met through mutual friends. He has the biggest heart—you should see him with kids. And his faith? Incredible. He loves Jesus more than anyone I know.”
And Micah? He plays along perfectly.
He shakes hands. Smiles warmly. Asks thoughtful questions. Rests his hand on my lower back in a casual, yet possessive way.
He’s good at this.
Too good.
“You’re laying it on pretty thick,” he murmurs during a lull in conversation.
“That’s the point, isn’t it?”
“I thought we were trying to prove to Collin that we’re dating,” he says quietly. “Not convince the entire Dallas Independent School District.”
“We have to make it believable,” I counter. “All these people know him. If we don’t sell it to everyone, it won’t work.”
He considers this, then nods. “Fair point.”