Chapter Three – Harper
Harper
“Harper, we can’t meet at my parents’ house.”
I turned off the computer at my desk and dropped back into it as I let out a frustrated sigh. “Why not, Sean?”
“How would that look?”
“It would look like we were both working today and decided to meet there. I highly doubt your mother will read into it, or even notice as long as we walk into the house together.”
He sighed. “This has to work, Harper. If she even gets a hint that we’re lying, she’ll be relentless about Crystal.”
“Why don’t you grow a pair, Sean, and tell your mother how you feel? That you’re attracted to Caroline. Besides, she and Viola would probably be over the moon no matter which daughter you ended up with.”
“Did you forget? Caroline is dating someone.”
I slapped my forehead with my hand. “How stupid of me. I can’t keep up with all the chess pieces. Did you get my tickets? I’m not walking into that house without proof.”
He mumbled something that sounded strangely like “pain in my ass,” but I chose to ignore it.
“Yes, I have your tickets, and fine, I’m not going to argue with you. I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.”
I glanced down to see what I was wearing. Jeans and a light blue sweater. The black flats I had on were comfortable and gave the outfit a little boost. I’d dressed a bit more casual since I was making arrangements most of the day. It would have to do, since I didn’t have time to run upstairs to my apartment and change.
“See you in twenty…don’t forget my tickets.”
Sean mumbled something else and then the line went silent. I couldn’t help it; I laughed. I had a feeling this was going to be amusing for me. If I could poke some fun at Sean and tease him for his crush on Caroline, only have to pretend to date him around his family, all the while knowing I had season tickets to my favorite football team, this fake dating thing would be worth it.
I shut all the lights off and headed toward the front door, where I flipped the sign to closed. After setting the alarm, I slipped out the back and made my way to my Subaru Outback. I loved this car. Almost as much as I loved the flower shop. It was my first big-girl purchase, or so I’d called it. I was twenty-seven at the time, and I bought it without any help from my parents.
I didn’t count the flower shop as a big-girl move. For one, I didn’t have to buy it. My mother gave it to me. Her mother had given it to her when it had come time for her to run it, so it felt like it was just part of my heritage. My car, though…that was all me.
“Hey, Harper!” Brystol Duggan called out. Brystol owned Memory Lane Toys, which was next door to my flower shop. Her grandfather had opened the toy store years ago when he was about my age. He gave it to his daughter, Brystol’s mother, who then gave it to Brystol. Businesses in Moose Village were definitely full of legacy.
“Hi, Bry! How’s it going?”
Brystol threw some boxes into the recycle bin. “It’s going. How are you? I heard you got back together with Sean.”
My mouth fell open. “Already, huh?”
She laughed. “I’m pretty sure as soon as Betty Lou left your shop, she came into the toy store to tell me the happy news.”
I rolled my eyes.
“But you don’t seem happy,” she said. She had a concerned look on her face, and that made me cherish our friendship more than ever.
“I’ll tell you and the girls all about it on Monday.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re going to make me wait two whole days?”
Slipping into my car, I called out, “Bye, Bry!”
“You’re a terrible friend. I hope you know that!”
I shut the door and started my car. It wasn’t very nice of me, but I giggled. It would kill Brystol not knowing what was going on. I gave her ten minutes before she texted me and asked what the heck was happening.
I wasn’t even out of the alley before my phone buzzed and my car alerted me that I had a text from Brystol.
Laughing, I hit the screen to play the message.
“Brystol said, ‘You’re really going to leave me hanging like that? Well, I have news too, and I’m not telling you what it is.’ Would you like to reply?”
“No,” I said, laughing harder as I pulled out onto Main Street.
I pulled up to Sean’s parents’ house seconds after he did. His look of relief was almost comical. He got out of his car and motioned for me to hurry.
“Tickets?” I said, as I held out my hand.
Sean looked around as if we were making some clandestine exchange.
“For the love, just hand them over.”
He handed me an envelope, and I peered inside to find two season-pass tickets.
“Who are you going to go to the game with?”
“Me, myself, and I. I don’t need to go with anyone.”
“Then give one back. I’ll take it.”
I gave him a look that I’m sure said, Go fuck yourself.
“Like I would want to sit beside you while my beloved Giants are playing? No, thank you.”
The sound of a car approaching from behind caused Sean to grab me, pull me close, and plant his lips on mine. I was so shocked, I just stood there, frozen.
“Kiss me back,” he mumbled against my lips.
Instead, I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him away. I wiped my mouth and glared. “Let’s set some ground rules.”
Sean rolled his eyes.
“Do not ever kiss me like that again. We need to devise a system where you silently ask to kiss me, and I say yes or no.”
“What?” he asked, confusion all over his face. “Have you lost your damn mind?”
I laughed. “Clearly, I must have to have ever agreed to this.”
“Sean? Harper?”
We both turned to see Maddie, Sean’s mother, standing on her front porch.
“Hey, Mom.”
When he reached for my hand, I didn’t pull away, even though I wanted to.
“Hi, Maddie,” I said, with a wave of my free hand.
Plastering on a fake smile, Maddie cleared her throat. “So, it’s true then.”
Sean let out a nervous bubble of laughter. “Funny, Mom.”
“Yeah, real funny,” I whispered, allowing Sean to tug me toward his mother. It took everything I had not to dig my heels in and start screaming at him not to send me into the fiery pit of hell.
Maddie hugged me briefly as I reached the top step. “What was that, dear?”
“What? Oh, nothing.”
She smirked. “I didn’t think so. Come in, come in. I have a huge surprise for you!”
As we followed his mother into the house, Sean glanced back at me. “See! A surprise.”
I rolled my eyes and stuck my foot out in front of him, causing him to trip slightly.
A laugh came from my right, and Sean and I both turned to see…
“Declan?” we both said at the same time.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Sean’s older brother had seen me purposely trip him. I could say it was all in good fun, but I’m almost positive I’d had a look of pure evil on my face when I did it.
Dropping my hand, Sean made his way over to his brother, and they did one of those bro hugs where they simultaneously hugged and hit each other on the back as hard as they could. It looked to me like Declan won, and I grinned.
“It was a surprise to me as well. Declan is home for good!” Maddie said to me, with a rare, genuine smile.
“I bet you’re so happy and relieved.”
Her hand went to her heart. “You have no idea, Harper. The way I worried about that boy.”
I nodded and looked back at the two brothers. They’d broken the hug and were talking now. I let my eyes move over Declan and wanted to correct his mother. That was not a boy…that was a man .
Declan Gallagher had always been hot. He’d always worn his brown hair short, in a buzz cut like it was now, but the top was longer and looked like he ran his fingers through it all the time. And for as long as I can remember, he was always built. Not overly muscular but just right, with broad shoulders and toned arms and legs. I’d never seen him with his shirt off, but I would bet my precious season tickets he had abs that were totally lick-able.
I shook my head. Lick-able? Really, Harper. Is that really where you want your mind to be right now?
My gaze moved to Declan’s mid-section, and I narrowed my eyes as I stared right through the Marine Corps T-shirt he wore.
Maddie cleared her throat from next to me, and I jerked my head up, looking around the room. “Did you paint?”
When my gaze met hers, she stared at me like I was a child who’d just gotten caught with her hand in the candy jar.
If only.
Oh. My. God. Harper…stop daydreaming about Declan. Where is this coming from?
“No, Harper, I have not painted.” Turning to her sons, Maddie clapped her hands. “Dinner’s ready, boys. Let’s join your father in the kitchen, shall we? I made lasagna.”
“Yes!” Sean said with a fist pump and proceeded to walk toward the kitchen, leaving me standing in the middle of the living room.
I folded my arms over my chest and nearly turned and left. This was the type of shit I put up with when I was dating him. Call it being na?ve at the time, but now that the dating was fake, I didn’t have to put up with his rudeness. I was determined to stand right there until the ass came back for me.
“Does he always display such chivalry?” Declan asked, his voice deep and low. It caused a strange ripple in my stomach that made its way straight between my legs.
Oh. Dear.
“He’s an ass.”
Declan’s brows shot up.
I knew I couldn’t let Declan know about his brother’s stupid plan, but man, did I want to for some reason. I hated the idea of Declan thinking I was dating his brother again. I’d have to sort through that thought with a bottle of wine later tonight.
“Sorry, we got into a fight before coming in. I’m being rude.”
He nodded…and then let his eyes move lazily over my body. I felt my cheeks heat, so I coughed and started to walk toward the kitchen.
“Welcome home, by the way,” I added, once we’d entered the kitchen. “Is it for good?”
Declan smiled, and I was momentarily dizzy. I actually reached out for the counter to steady myself. Wow. Could a man be even more handsome when he smiled? Based on the smile directed toward me, yes. Yes, he could.
“Yep. Home for good.”
Maddie handed me a plate and one to Declan. “It’s a system. Start here and make your way around. Harper, you’ll sit at your normal spot.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the plate and falling in line behind Sean, who was still ignoring me. I poked my finger into his back, causing him to turn and look. He almost seemed taken aback when he saw me.
I gave him a sugary smile. “Did you forget I was here, darling ?”
His cheeks turned red.
“Jackass,” I hissed.
Declan chuckled, and Sean glanced at him, then back to me with a warning look that honestly did nothing for me. The man couldn’t even stand up to his own mother.
“Everything looks so good, Maddie,” I said, my voice full of phony cheer and happiness. “It smells good too. Is that homemade bread?”
Maddie nodded. “It sure is.”
Declan leaned in, and I shivered when his hot breath swept over my skin as he whispered, “You’re laying it on too thick. Pull it back some.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“If you say so.”
Once everyone had their food, we sat at the dining room table, and conversation revolving around Declan soon broke out. I could see Sean growing tired of hearing about his brother’s accomplishments while in the Marines and how proud Maddie was of her boy . The old me would have tried to steer the conversation to Sean somehow, but the new me…she didn’t give a rat’s ass if Sean was jealous of his brother or not.
So, I sat back, my wine glass in hand, and asked yet another question.
“Declan, what will you be doing now that you’re out of the military?”
He finished off his beer and set it on the table. “Probably go work for the Moose Village Police Department.”
It was clear the moment he said it, he hadn’t meant to divulge that information just yet.
“You’re going to be a cop ?” Sean shouted.
“Why are you yelling?” Matt and Maddie said at the same time.
Sean looked around the table. “Putting yourself in danger again? At this point, I think you’re just doing it for the attention it’ll bring you, and nothing else.”
My mouth dropped open as Maddie shot daggers at her younger son.
Declan laughed. “Wow, tell everyone how you really feel, Sean.”
He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just saying, don’t you think Mom has worried enough over you? Now you want to be a cop and make her worry even more?”
Leaning back in his chair, Declan folded his arms across his chest, and I nearly let out a whimper at the muscles on display. Instead, I looked down at my plate and contemplated whether I wanted to finish the lasagna or leave a bit.
“It’s Moose Village, Sean. Not New York City,” Declan stated.
“I thought you didn’t know what you wanted to do?” Maddie said.
Declan looked at his mother with a sheepish smile. “I wanted to wait a few days before I told you. I knew you’d be worried.”
Sean huffed.
“I worry about you boys no matter what, so it’s a moot point.”
“A moo-point,” I said with a giggle. When all eyes turned to me, my smile faded. “I take it we don’t have any Friends fans at the table.”
Sean, Matt, and Maddie all frowned, while the corner of Declan’s mouth twitched with a hidden smile.
I wiped my mouth and set my napkin on the table when no one said anything. “Maddie, let me clear these dishes for you.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Harper. That’s very sweet of you.”
My eyes met hers. Why was she being so nice? If she were finally accepting me as Sean’s girlfriend, that would really stink. I mean, yay for me winning her over, but boo when we eventually fake break up.
After clearing the table and getting the dishes in the dishwasher, I looked toward the living room, wondering if I could slip away without anyone noticing I was gone.
“Don’t do it.”
Turning, I let out a small yelp and placed a hand over my heart. “Declan, you scared me.”
He flashed me his brilliant smile and made his way farther into the kitchen. “I saw the way you were looking longingly at the front door. If you sneak away, my mother will wonder why.”
I sighed. “It’s just been a long day, and I’m ready to get home.”
He nodded and leaned against the counter, placing his hands to the sides, slightly behind him, and grabbing the counter. The motion caused his arm muscles to flex, and I had to force myself to look away.
“How have you been, Harper?”
Wiping my hands on a dish towel, I shrugged. “Good. Busy with the flower shop. My mother retired and gave it to me to run a few years ago.”
His brows lifted. “Wow, that’s wonderful. You always did like flowers.”
I smiled and quickly searched my memory for any occasion Declan would have known I liked flowers. When I couldn’t come up with anything, I said, “I have. It’s my happy place…the flower shop.”
He smiled.
“What made you decide it was time to get out of the Marines?”
His smile slowly faded. “It was just time. I’m not getting any younger, and my work was…” His words faded as he searched for what he was trying to say.
“Dangerous? Strenuous? Treacherous?”
Laughing, he said, “Aren’t all of those the same as dangerous?”
I nodded as a small chuckle slipped free. “Maybe, but I couldn’t think of what else to say.”
“It was time for me to reenlist and I opted to come home. Set down some roots and maybe start a family.”
The way those last four words played havoc with my thoughts was disturbing. “A family?”
Declan shrugged. “Someday, I hope.”
I glanced down and moved my foot back and forth, as if sweeping something away.
“So…you and Sean are back together. That’s good.”
My head snapped up so fast, I nearly got dizzy. It was my turn to shrug. For some reason, I couldn’t bring it upon myself to outright lie to him.
He tilted his head and regarded me with a quizzical expression. He was about to say something when Sean walked into the kitchen.
He slapped Declan on the side of the arm and then glanced across the kitchen at me. “What are you two talking about?”
I set the towel on the counter. “Nothing, just catching up. Listen, Sean, I need to take off.”
“Okay, right.”
“I’ll just go thank your parents and, um…” My eyes bounced between brothers. “I’ll talk to you later.”
As I started out of the kitchen to make my goodbyes, Declan said, “No kiss goodbye for the lovebirds?”
I paused, feeling my cheeks turn red hot as I slowly looked at him. My heart instantly started to pound in my chest. “What?” I asked, confused.
“You’re not even going to kiss Sean goodbye?”
There was something strange about the way Declan had asked his question…not to mention the way he was looking at me.
He knew. He had to know we were faking.
Blinking away the image of kissing Declan instead, I glanced over to Sean. I forced a smile. “Right. Of course. Long day, and I’m not thinking.”
Sean met me halfway, and I quickly kissed him on the lips, then turned and rushed out of the kitchen as fast as I could.