Chapter 69
HARLOW
It’s been a month since everything blew up in my face, and though the gossip has died down somewhat, it’s not gone entirely, so it’s no surprise when I get off work to find three paparazzi loitering in the parking lot.
“Harlow?” One of them calls out. “Are you in a relationship with Spencer Shaw?”
“Come on,” says another. “Just answer the question and we’ll leave you alone.”
“Rumors are you were engaged when you were caught in the car with him. Is this true?”
I ignore them and climb in my car. They surround me, determined to keep me trapped, but I’m sick of their games so I keep backing up until they’re forced to move.
I’m glad that I haven’t been fired for their presence, but I guess it would be pretty shitty if I was, since Cool Beans is owned by Jasper’s parents.
I turn the radio up on the drive to my parents’ house and try to drown out my thoughts as I go.
It’s June now, summer’s in full force, and that means it takes longer than usual to get to their house.
Roe is loving her summer off and all her time spent with her grandparents, so at least there’s that.
I guilted myself for a long time for having to work and not being able to be there for her all the time, but as far as things go, I think my kid is well adjusted.
When I pull up to their house I’m surprised to see Jasper’s car in the driveway.
Grabbing my bag, I head inside. “Willa?” I call out. “Are you here?”
She pokes her head out of the kitchen, and I nearly break down in tears at the sight of my older sister.
Thankfully, she listened when I told her not to come for a visit before, but man have I needed her.
I haven’t wanted to bother her, though. Not when her studies are so important.
I don’t want to do anything to prevent her from being a kick ass surgeon.
She closes the distance between us and throws her arms around me in the tightest bear hug. She smells like home—sugar cookies, fresh flowers, and the salt of the ocean.
“Hey,” she says softly when she realizes I’m crying. She pulls back, hands on my cheeks. “Low.”
“I’m happy to see you.”
She yanks me back into her arms in a bone-crushing hug. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
I shake my head against her shoulder. “No. You’re busy being a bad ass.”
She laughs, still holding me tight. “You’re a bad ass too.”
“Everyone’s outside. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you we were coming. I wasn’t sure it would work out, but I got a last-minute summer internship at St. Joseph’s.
“What?” I squeal in excitement. “That’s incredible, Willa.”
“My professor recommended me for it, and I didn’t think I’d get it, but here we are. They need me to start immediately, so we’ll be here all summer.”
I start crying again, because this is the best news I could possibly hear.
She throws her arm around my shoulders, pulling me against her side. “Don’t tell Mom and Dad yet, but we’re thinking of having a small wedding here before the summer is over.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
I haven’t asked her about wedding plans in a while, because I know she has enough on her plate with her studies.
“Yeah. I think a small wedding here at the house would be nice, don’t you?”
“I think it would be perfect.”
“You’re going to help me plan it, right?”
I squeeze her hand. “Absolutely,” I reply. “Anything you want.”
“I’ll talk to Jasper about it more tonight and we’ll go from there.”
“I’m excited for you,” I tell her. “It’s about time you made Jasper a permanent part of the family.”
She laughs, poking my side before she pulls away from me. “Did he pay you to say that?”
“No, it’s just the truth.”
“Come on.” She grabs my hand, dragging me toward the doors that lead to the outdoors from the kitchen. “Let’s go eat.”