Chapter 17
seventeen
FINN
H er words are like a record scratch, bringing all my thoughts to a standstill.
She can’t be serious. Live with her?
“Just until you find a place of your own,” Harper continues. “It’s a small town, and there aren’t a ton of options, but we can figure it out. In the meantime, you can stay here for free.”
“Why would you do that?”
She gives me a “come on” look. “You’re upending your entire life, Finn. It’s the least I can do.”
“What about your roommate?”
She looks as if maybe she hadn’t considered that. “Good point. Let me talk to her first.”
While her offer is well meaning, it’s an example of how impulsive this woman can be. What if she wakes up tomorrow and doesn’t want me here?
“Unless you don’t want to.” She holds up both hands. “No pressure.”
I try to picture it, being in close proximity with her every day knowing how attracted I am to her. But I’m not an animal. Surely, I can control myself, and it wouldn’t be forever. Just until I can find a place.
“If your cousin is okay with it, I would appreciate it. But I promise I’ll find a place as soon as I can.”
“I’m sure she’ll be okay with it.” She smiles. “Plus, money you save goes to the baby.” She laughs, her hands falling to her stomach.
I follow her movement, wishing she was mine so I could cradle where my baby is growing.
I wonder what it’s like to go through life like Harper does, always assuming that everything will work out for the best. At least that’s how it seems she is.
I guess I don’t actually know her that well, which is something I need to rectify since she’s going to be the mother of my child.
“I’ll admit that I don’t know a lot about pregnancy. Is there anything you need from me?”
She twists her mouth to the side as if she’s considering, and I wait for some smartass comment. “I have an appointment with my aunt later this week to make sure everything is okay with the baby and to figure out a due date. You can come along if you’d like.”
My adrenaline spikes. “Could there be something wrong with the baby?”
She holds up a hand. “Relax. It’s just a part of the process, nothing to be concerned about.”
My heart rate begins to return to normal, and I nod. “Okay, yeah, I’ll be there. Just send me the info.”
“Okay.” We stare at each other for a beat. “So, we’re really doing this.”
“We’re really doing this.”
I hold her gaze, feeling drawn in. This woman is like a magnet, and I’m helpless to resist. If she were any closer to me on the couch, I’d probably be leaning in to kiss her.
“Thank you for being here, for doing this,” she says.
My forehead wrinkles. “You don’t have to thank me, Harper. You didn’t get pregnant on your own. This isn’t just on you to deal with.”
She nods slowly, holding my gaze. “Maybe, but not every guy would see it that way.”
I shrug. “Well then, they’re assholes.”
We both chuckle, and I stand. If I stay here any longer, I’m afraid I’ll say something I’ll regret. “I’ll go check in at the resort for the night. You let me know about the spare room, and if it’s a problem, no worries, I’ll figure something out.”
She stands and sees me to the front door, swinging it open for me. “I’ll text you later after I talk with Maven.”
“Sounds good.” As I stare at her, the tension feels more like I’m leaving after a date than a conversation. Maybe it’s just because the only way I’ve ever really spent any time with this woman was in a hotel room when she was riding me. “Talk to you tomorrow.”
I force myself to leave and make my way to my rental truck. Another issue I have to take care of—transportation. Do I sell my truck in Vermont and buy a new one or drive it here?
I get in the driver’s seat and give Harper a wave.
She’s leaning against the doorframe, watching me leave, and I have the sudden vision of what she might look like months from now, belly swollen with our baby.
The level of pure male satisfaction that image gives me is a surprise.
She waves back, and I reverse out of the driveway and head to the resort.
Everything in my life is about to change.
As crazy as it is, I’m excited for the future.
My grip on the steering wheel tightens. I hope I’m up for the challenge. One thing is for certain, I’m going to need to find out where AA meetings are held around here to make sure I stay on track.
* * *
The next morning, I wake up to a text from Harper.
Maven is ok with you staying here for a while. Let me know what time you’re leaving the hotel, and I’ll meet you to let you in the house.
Please thank her for me.
And you. Obviously. Thanks.
Jesus, it’s like I’ve never talked to a woman before. I need to kick this attraction to Harper to the curb.
I’ll get a key made this morning so you have one.
Great. Want to meet there at eleven?
See you then.
I figure I’ll go down to the restaurant here in the resort, then pack up my things. I have to make a few calls about my job and figure all of that out too. Deal with my lease in Vermont. And I need to see where the AA meetings in the area happen.
I blow out a breath. There’s a lot to do when you’re upending your life apparently.
Around eleven, I pull into the driveway of Harper’s house and see her car already there. The door swings open before I even knock, almost as though she’s been waiting for me.
“Welcome home.” She smiles and gestures inside.
It’s one of the things that first attracted me to her—her positive energy and zest for life, that touch of craziness and wild abandon.
It was fine for a night of hot sex, but I have to question whether it’s good for me in the long term.
I think she’ll make an amazing mother, no doubt, but since I’ve gotten sober, I’ve valued predictability and the status quo, knowing what to expect next.
Why the hell am I even thinking about this? It’s not as though Harper has indicated that she wants me at all, other than that she wants me to be involved in our child’s life.
“Thanks.” I step inside with my two suitcases. It’s all I brought with me.
I knew when I flew out here I’d have to head home to pack up the rest of my belongings once I had somewhere to send them. Finding a place to live and a job are my two main priorities at this point.
“Is that all you have with you?” Harper asks.
She looks beautiful today. Her long red hair is pulled back off her face, highlighting the arch of her neck, and she’s wearing a form-fitting dress that looks as though it’s made of a thin knit. No sign of her pregnancy showing yet.
“For now. Until I find a place.”
She nods. “Follow me. I’ll show you your room.”
I follow her up the stairs, bags in hand, trying my best not to be a perv and watch her ass the entire way. I fail miserably.
When we reach the top of the stairs, the bathroom is directly in front of me. There’s a bedroom with the door open to the right and two doors to the left. Harper goes left and stops at the first door, stepping inside.
“It’s not much, but hopefully it’s okay for now. Sorry about the girly décor.”
I glance around with a chuckle. It’s definitely heavy on the female influence in here with a lavender and cream bedding set and a host of inspirational quotes for art on the walls.
“You mean this doesn’t scream rough-and-tumble firefighter?” I point at the picture that says, “What if I fall? But oh, my darling, what if you fly?” She laughs as I walk farther in and set my bags on the mattress. “Thanks again for letting me stay here.”
“All right, that’s the last time you can thank me.” She walks over to the door. “I have to go meet a client, but I left the key on the kitchen counter. Help yourself to anything you want in the kitchen. I’ll be home around dinnertime.”
Before I can say much else, she’s gone, heading down the stairs, then I hear the front door close.
I glance around the room again. I certainly didn’t think that this was where I’d end up months after the night I slept with Harper. Surprise.