Chapter 24
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
JULIAN
Giving Harper space is hard, but it’s the right thing to do. It’s been three days. Each day I send her a text in the morning and before bed, checking in, letting her know she’s on my mind. Constantly. Her replies include an emoji that I spend way too much time deciphering. I’ve made sure each day she gets dinner or the sweets she loves so much. I’m giving her what she wants and even what she doesn’t know she needs.
And an unexpected bonus to this Harper separation is that I get to work with Priscilla more. We’re making pretty good progress on the book, all things considered. We’ve spent some time getting acquainted too. I’m drawn to her and totally enjoying our chats. While she hasn’t mentioned wanting to meet again, I’ve warmed to the idea. If we’re going to meet these tight deadlines, we’re going to have to work together. Eventually, I’m going to have to trust her to keep my secret.
JB: Do you have a boyfriend?
I’m not sure why I asked or why I even need to know. Yet, I impatiently wait for the green light that shows she’s online. I’ve never been an anxious person, but lately, waiting for Priscilla and Harper to respond to me is making me a nervous Nellie.
PRISCILLA: I didn’t think we shared personal information.
JB: I’m not asking for your socials or anything. Curious if you’re in a relationship, that’s all.
PRISCILLA: You looking for advice?
Am I? I’ll admit, Harper keeps me guessing. I hate the uncertainty of where I stand. Where she stands. The combination of the demanding project, Harper’s magnetic energy, and Priscilla’s mystery has left me feeling completely off balance.
JB: I consider you a friend. Friends share.
Five minutes pass until she responds. I swear, it feels like five hours.
PRISCILLA: Do you think there’s anything to the romance novels we write, or are they pure fantasy?
Well, that question came out of left field.
JB: I believe in romance and love.
I consider my quick response. I’ve watched my siblings and friends fall in love. If I don’t believe in a happily ever after, then I question what it’s all for.
JB: And hope.
PRISCILLA: Me too. Hope keeps me going.
Priscilla makes me think harder, go deeper, and I’ve done some genuine soul searching. She challenges me, and I find that very attractive. When you find someone that makes you a better version of yourself, it’s someone you need to keep around. I’ve never met her, but I want more from her.
I’m not sure if it’s feelings or curiosity. But if I’m developing feelings for her, what does that mean about the feelings I have for Harper? What I feel for Harper is real. I’m certain of it. But I can’t deny this pull towards Priscilla. It’s like that inexplicable pull Jacob had in Twilight but with no creepy vampire baby to explain it away.
JB: Do you want to meet? It could improve productivity.
She reads my message and logs off. Did I scare her? She was the first to suggest we meet. Where did she go?
Two days of no login or response. Two days for me to stew about her. And Harper. Both silent. Two days and I’ve got the worst case of writers block I’ve ever experienced.
When my laptop pings with a chat notice, I rush to open the message.
PRISCILLA: Let’s meet at How You Brewin in Tribeca tomorrow at 4pm.
I’m flooded with relief that she’s back. I’ve grown attached and was worried something happened. If I don’t agree to meet, will I lose her forever?
JB: How will I find you?
PRISCILLA: I’ll have a book with a flower, of course.
JB: Very Meg Ryan of you.
PRISCILLA: Wondered if you’d catch the reference. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
I snicker at the movie reference. We debated the best rom-coms for twenty minutes last week. She was insistent You’ve Got Mail was in the top five, with her favorite being How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days . That’s a banger, no doubt, but I put Notting Hill higher on the list than her. After engaging in enthusiastic conversation and discussion, we ultimately concluded that I’m the bigger romantic. She leans into the absurd and comedic part of the movie. Regardless, we’re both suckers for a good romance and a happy ending.
I arrive at the coffee shop twenty minutes early and pause across the street to gather myself. The large window gives the cafe light and allows me a clear view of most everyone in there. It’s a happening spot. I scan the crowd inside and find a woman sitting at a small table in the center of the room, a book and flower prominent beside her laptop. She has her head down, typing away.
Priscilla is even earlier than me. I’m about to cross the street, excited to meet her, when she looks up and I stop. Fuck. It’s Harper. I never suspected Priscilla was Harper. My Harper.
Why didn’t she tell me about her writing project? She mentioned her class at NYU, but I didn’t ask what kind of class. That’s my fault. I’m usually better at asking those kinds of questions.
Honestly, while I’m surprised, I’m also relieved. That connection I feel to Priscilla makes more sense now. Of course I like my writing partner. I’m attracted to Harper in every way imaginable, even when I didn’t know it was her.
A cold wind whips down the street, and it chills me to the bone. From the wind or the decision I need to make, I can’t be entirely sure. I look around on the busy street, hoping someone else walks in with a flower. Anyone else. Maybe it’s a coincidence or my author’s brain creating a scenario out of thin air. I pull out my phone and message Priscilla to verify.
JB: Going to have to reschedule. Family emergency. Sorry.
Harper looks at her laptop, scowls, and her fingers fly across the keyboard. Then she scans the coffee shop, disappointment on her face. A look that I caused. I feel terrible.
PRISCILLA: Another time then. Hope everyone is okay.
She closes her laptop and packs her things. She looks sad, and I need to fix that. What if I bump into her on the street? Then I can be with Harper while I figure out how to tell her.
I pop the collar on my coat and wrap my hand around the strap of my messenger bag. I put my head down and walk towards the coffee shop, strategically bumping into Harper.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Harper?” I put my acting chops to the test, the surprise feeling foreign to my tongue. This collision is a little reminiscent of our first New York meeting.
“Julian, what are you doing here?” Another surprised look, but this one is mixed with annoyance. I feel terrible for what I did to her.
I’m quick on my feet and tell her a bitter lie. “I finished a meeting with a client.” I pat my laptop bag as evidence of my story. She looks a little bewildered.
“Of the millions of people in the city, what are the chances I randomly bump into you? Twice now.” The playful twinkle in her eyes and her flirty touch tells me our unexpected encounter doesn't bother her at all. An amused smile plays on her lips. I release a sigh of relief, a wave of calm washing over me.
“Serendipity, to be sure. Can I buy you a coffee?” I nod toward the coffee shop she just left. I’m doing my best to think quickly and not act shady.
“I’m disappointed in you.” She shakes her head.
“Why?” Panic creeps in. She knows. She must know.
“Did you forget I don’t drink coffee?” She pokes her lip out in a pretend pout, and she’s adorable. I need to get off this panic rollercoaster. It’s making me crazy.
“I didn’t forget, gorgeous.” I lift my hand to her face, and the warmth of her cheek calms my nerves. “You’ve got me a little discombobulated at this moment. You overwhelm me, that’s all. How about the best hot chocolate in New York?”
She bites her lip as she considers my suggestion. With a slight nod, my afternoon is turning around. I still have to figure out how to tell her I’m her writing partner, but for now, I’ll enjoy our time together.
“Let’s duck in here to keep you warm while I make arrangements. It will take a few minutes.” It’s a perfect mid-October day, but the wind off the river is a little brisk. We turn back to the café, and I pull out a chair for her while I go to the back and make a quick call to Kat.
When I get back to the table, she’s scrolling on her phone, celebrity gossip posts filling the screen. Priscilla told me she uses social media for inspiration and to generate ideas for her characters. Now that I know Priscilla is Harper, the clues were obvious. I can’t believe I didn’t put it together sooner.
I lean over to get a better look at the picture of Madelyn Reynolds at the beach with her friends and the ridiculous headline speculating she has an eating disorder. “I really hate these sites. I’ve told you not to believe everything you read. That girl will eat more pizza than me and wash it down with a full-bodied beer. Eating disorder, my ass.” Another surprised look from Harper. “She’s watching what she eats in public because of sites like this.”
I take the chair in front of Harper, and she puts her phone in her bag. “Sorry, I was scrolling. I can’t believe you know Madelyn Reynolds like that.”
“Yeah, we went to college together. Promise me you ignore all the trash they write about me.”
She cocks her eyebrow and fires back at me. “Even the article about you sponsoring the local baseball teams in the city?”
I laugh and slap my hand on the table. “I knew you googled me!”
She blushes and sits up taller in her chair. “I needed to know exactly who I’m dealing with.” When she bites her bottom lip, my dick pays attention. She’s right. She needs to know who she’s dealing with, and I’ll tell her. Soon. I just need to find the right time.