Harper
After we got home last night, we watched movies until we both fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up this morning, Jackson was gone, but he left a note for me.
Boots,
I went back to my hotel to shower and change. Sleeping in dress pants wasn’t the greatest idea. Text me when you get up and we can figure out our day.
Jackson
P.S. I loved spending last night with you. I hope you enjoyed our night out and cuddling on the couch when we got home.
A smile spreads across my face when I read his note. It was a dream come true to spend my entire day with Jackson yesterday. Our dinner was better than I could ever imagine and sharing it with him was even better.
I heard our waitress talking to another waitress last night when I went to the restroom about how lucky I was to be with Jackson McLaren. I couldn’t help but smile because I knew exactly how lucky I was to spend the evening with him. Just the two of us. It was a dream come true.
Harper: I'm awake.
Jackson: Good. Do you want to go out for breakfast? I need to head home early this afternoon.
My heart sinks when I read his text. I don’t want him to go home. Not yet. I’ve been having the best weekend with him, even with how terrible Evan’s made it. I would deal with Evan every day for the rest of my life if it meant I could spend all of my time with Jackson.
Harper: Definitely! Give me twenty to get ready.
Jackson: Can I head over now? I have to be out of the hotel soon.
Harper: Of course! I’ll leave the door unlocked.
Hurrying into the bathroom, I strip out of my clothes and step under the hot water. I'm excited to see Jackson again, but I'm dreading him leaving. I wish he could stay here longer.
I'm just getting out of the shower and drying off when I hear the front door open and close. I smile to myself and move faster. After I have a towel wrapped around my body, I step out of the bathroom and into my bedroom.
I stop dead in my tracks when I find Evan standing in the middle of my room.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper, trying to keep distance between us. I don’t know why he’s here, but I don’t want him in my home.
“Well, I wanted to talk to you, but you keep avoiding me.”
“I'm not avoiding you, Evan! You were here yesterday. I heard what you wanted to say and then I asked you to leave. What more do you want from me?”
“I want you to take me back.”
“So, you thought it was ok to break into my house?” I blink at him like he’s insane. There’s no other logical explanation for this.
“I didn’t break in. The front door was unlocked.” He lifts his shoulder in a shrug like that makes it all ok.
“Yes, because I invited someone to come over but I knew they might get here while I was in the shower. That way they could come in if they got here before I was out. It wasn’t unlocked so you could invite yourself in.”
“You really shouldn’t leave your door unlocked. Anyone could walk in.”
“Clearly! Now, get out of my room!” I yell, losing all patience with this man.
“Harper…”
“Get out of my room so I can get dressed. You can wait in the living room and I’ll talk to you when I'm finished. Got it?”
“Fine.” He lets out a sigh as he exits my room.
As soon as he’s gone, I slam my door shut and lock it. Then, I grab my phone and dial Jackson’s number.
“Hey, I'm almost there.”
“Jackson,” I whimper, losing all control of my emotions. Knowing Evan just walked in here makes me feel violated. Like he’s somehow stepping over a boundary I didn’t realize existed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I just got out of the shower and Evan was standing in my bedroom,” I whisper.
“Is he still there?”
“He’s in the living room. I told him to leave my room so I could get dressed. I was only in a towel when I found him.”
“Ok. I'm about two minutes away. I’ll deal with him and get him to leave… Are you ok?”
“I'm scared,” I admit, hating how vulnerable I feel.
“We’ll figure it out, Boots. You know I’ll take care of you. I want you to get dressed as quickly as you can. Then, stay in your room. Don’t come out until I tell you to. Got it?”
“Yes,” I whisper, already searching for yoga pants and a sweatshirt.
I'm terrified Evan will get annoyed with waiting for me and try to get into my bedroom before Jackson gets here. I don’t trust Evan or what he might do.
He crossed a boundary by walking into my house uninvited. I’ll never trust him again.