Caramel Apple Cupcake (Lunchtime Chronicles Season 7)

Chapter 1

“If only you were more like your brother.”

“Dear, don’t go there again,” Harper’s mother said after taking a sip of wine. “You know how Harper gets when you do that.”

This conversation had occurred more times than she wanted to admit. And Harper was fed up with it, and with her parents. Being compared to the golden child was the story of her life. No matter what she did or how much she achieved, somehow, things always turned to her brother. Looking over at Rodney Jr. or RJ for short, she rolled her eyes at the smug look on his face.

As an older brother, he wasn’t all bad. Yes, he teased her relentlessly. Ignored her when he saw her walking around town with her friends. Told people she was adopted.

She wasn’t, but that never stopped him from saying the hurtful words.

Still, it wasn’t him that she was angry with, even though he could be a major asshole. He behaved the way their parents had raised him. Entitled. Spoiled. Felt the entire world was meant for him. And inside the walls of this house, things were exactly the way he expected them to be.

Which left Harper trying to find her place in a family where she was not only forgotten, but also not wanted.

A surprise baby that her parents did not expect or prepare for. Oh, they had the means and money to handle a second child. They simply planned for one child. One little person to pour all their love and resources into. Someone to carry on the Bryan name. They were one of the founding families of their city, after all. In the early 1800s, people were waking up to the horrors of slavery, and abolitionists were helping others move to freedom. Harper’s great-great-grandparents had settled in an isolated region, untouched by others. They built a home, farmed the land, and stayed to themselves until newcomers came along and wanted to have a piece of land for themselves.

Eventually, it grew from one family to over a dozen. And from there, it never stopped growing. Now, there were thousands of people and families in Bluestone Ridge, Virginia. They were just fifteen miles north of Winchester. Harper loved her town and what it meant to grow up here, but she was tired of being made to feel as if she was never accepted. Never belonged. Not by the people who lived here. But by her own parents.

“See, she just ignores us. Sweetheart, did you hear me talking to you?”

Harper, in fact, had not been listening. “No, mother. What did you say?”

Athena Bryan sighed. A sound that conveyed her long-suffering challenge of having a child that just didn’t measure up. “I said, don’t you think it’s about time you come work for your father? His firm is growing. He needs another lawyer on staff. You could come on as a junior partner. Finally put some respect on your name. You’ve been working in that little rinky-dink place in town. I mean, don’t you think it’s finally time to do something meaningful?”

Harper’s blood boiled. It never fucking failed. Every single time she came to her parents’ house, it was the same put-downs and nasty words. “I’m happy where I am. Plus, Dad has not asked me to come work with him at his firm. Why not ask RJ to work with you?” Before she finished the sentence, she knew exactly what the response would be. If nothing else, her parents were predictable.

“Your brother is already a partner at a prestigious firm in Arlington. Why would he need to come here to ask his father for a job? Our baby boy is doing so great on his own.”

Shoveling another piece of food in her mouth, Harper tried her best to hold her tongue. Her brother glanced at her and smirked.

“Harper’s doing the best she can, Mom. It’s not her fault she didn’t have the good Bryan genes. Maybe because she knew she wasn’t wanted from the beginning, something happened to her brain. God knows you and Dad did the best you could with her.”

“RJ, you can suck a big ass bag of di—”

“Harper!” Her father called her name, his hand slamming down on the dinner table. “You will not speak to your brother that way. Have you no shame? We did not raise you to be so crass.”

If she could walk out of this house and never return, she would. The way they treated her was unacceptable. Who cared if she was a surprise baby? She was made from their love, or so she thought. Even as a small child, she tried too hard to make them proud of her. She would draw pictures for them, trying to make them smile. She became so good that some of her work was displayed in art galleries up and down the East Coast. In middle and high school, she excelled in sports. Never failing to get a starting position on any team, whether it was basketball, softball, or volleyball. Although she wasn’t the tallest person, standing at five feet nine inches, she held her own. Hard work and perseverance were her way to excel. She had lived by that motto her entire life.

But no matter what she did, it was never enough. She was never enough. Shaking her head, she knew it was time to walk away, at least for tonight. She loved her family, but they did not love her in return. Not the same way.

Sure, they would ensure she was present for any family photos or special events. It wouldn’t do any good to let the people know that the Bryan family was a broken unit. That they treated their own daughter like she didn’t matter to them.

“You know what, Dad. You’re right. Why talk to RJ the same way he talks to me? I’ve had enough of being treated differently by all three of you. You walk around this house as if you’re this perfect, holier-than-thou family. Well, you’re the furthest thing from it. I almost wish you never had me.”

Her mother gasped, raising her hand to her neck, literally clutching her pearls. “You hush your mouth, Harper. How dare you say that? We gave you everything.”

The situation would be laughable if it weren’t so sad. She was twenty-eight, single, no kids, smart, and savvy, yet her parents could still make her feel like an awkward teenager with buckteeth, acne, and a few extra pounds on her frame. It took her years to become the person she was today.

Braces helped, and a skin-care routine rounded it out. The weight came off slower, but she learned to appreciate her curves. In high school, and against her mother’s wishes, she began getting her signature box braids hairstyle. Going away to college had been the bravest thing she could have done, but even after she finished, coming back to Bluestone Ridge was the only thing she wanted.

She had been such a fool.

Harper stood, throwing her napkin on the table. “I’m done trying. For years, all I’ve wanted was your approval. For you to tell me you’re both proud of me. Just once. Yet, it never happens, and I’m done expecting it. You have your golden child.” She motioned to RJ. “Don’t call me. I’ll call you.”

She stepped away from the table and gathered her purse. Without a glance back, she walked out of her parents’ home. Maybe one day they could come together as a family again, but for tonight, she had put up with all she could.

It took twenty minutes to arrive at her apartment building. As she hit the button on the elevator to go up to her place, she realized she wasn’t in the mood to sit alone. The tears she shed on the drive had dried, and she was no longer feeling sorry for herself. It was long overdue that she stood up for herself. With other people, she had no problem being the badass woman she knew she was. Hell, get her in a courtroom or in front of a judge, and she was a damn barracuda. But there was something about dealing with her parents and brother that turned her back into a child. She hated that feeling.

Instead of going to her lonely apartment, she decided to explore the town. There was that bar down the street that she always wanted to check out but never made the time. She didn’t want to get drunk, but a nice cocktail, some people-watching, and her e-reader were just what the doctor ordered.

Once inside, she sat down at the end of the bar, where the seats were empty. As she glanced around the large room, she knew it had been the right decision. Laughter filled the room. People were playing at each of the two pool tables. The back wall had two dartboards surrounded by groups of people. Some tables were filled with others who were eating or drinking. This was where she needed to be. And no one in here was paying attention to her. It was perfect. She could disappear while being in a crowd. No one would know she was the daughter of one of the town’s most famous families.

Just then, she heard a voice. “Hey beautiful. What can I get you?”

Her eyes lifted and saw the man standing in front of her. Her nipples hardened, and her breath stuttered as she tried to form words.

Well, fuck me sideways and call me your good girl.

Blue eyes. Dark blond hair. Low-trimmed beard. At least six feet four inches. And big ass hands based on her quick glance. If only she could get a glimpse of his shoes, that would be the cherry on top.

“Miss? Can I get you something to drink?” the gorgeous man asked again.

Mind blank, she wasn’t sure what to say. “What do you recommend?”

He leaned forward and placed his hands on the bar top. “It depends on what you’re looking for. Long day? Here to relax? Rough day, and you need to forget everything that happened before you walked in?”

She laughed. “All the above.”

“Well, you came to the right place. You just sit there, relax, and enjoy the rest of your evening. If you don’t have a drink in mind, I can make something for you. It’s a special mix.”

The look in his eyes was mischievous. Harper couldn’t help but lean in closer. If this was his normal customer service, then this place would quickly become her regular spot.

“By all means, please do. I’ve had a pretty rough evening. Just need to get my mind right before I head home. So, whatever you want to make for me, I’m all for it.”

His large fist knocked the bar with two quick raps. “You got it. If you need anything at all tonight, you get my attention. I don’t care what else I’m doing. It looks like you could use a friend tonight, and I’ve just nominated myself.”

All she could do was nod. Those were the words she needed to hear tonight. “Thank you.” She held out her hand. “I’m Harper.” He clasped her hand with his, and they both jumped from the spark of electricity that shocked them both.

A smile graced his lips. “Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Harper. I’m Anders.” He held onto her hand longer than expected before finally releasing her. “Of all the bars in all the cities, you came into mine. I think it’s fate, Harper. Don’t you?”

Yes, it was, and Harper could do nothing else but nod her head in response.

“One Callahan Cranberry Vodka Delight coming up.” Then he walked away to go make her drink.

Her eyes continued to drink him in as if he were a tall glass of cold water on a 100-degree day. Settling down in her seat, she pulled out her e-reader and opened it to the latest book by her favorite author. It felt good to be in a place where no one judged her and had no expectations that she needed to be perfect. There was eye candy for her to look at and drinks to be had. Maybe today will end on a high note after all.