Chapter 7
Harper sat at her dining table with a goofy smile on her face. Anders left that morning to shower, change clothes, and head back into Callahan’s for the Sunday brunch service. Although they weren’t a standard restaurant, they catered to the local community. At least those who wanted somewhere to go on Sundays for a nice meal. She would probably head over later today.
But for the moment, she was happy to sit in her apartment and drink her coffee. She replayed every moment of their night together. Just thinking about all the things that man did to her body caused shivers to run along her spine. He twisted her body in ways she never expected. It would probably be a good idea to take some pain medicine this morning because her muscles were already screaming.
She giggled, thinking about how she appeared when climbing out of bed this morning. Walking slowly. Bent over. Hand on her lower back. It was a good thing she had braids, or else her hair would have been a damn mess.
Then there was Anders, lying in bed watching her. He had a smirk on his lips as she walked gingerly. He was a confident man, but even he couldn’t help but smile. The bedroom sheet covered his lower body, but his chest was bare to her gaze. One arm was propped behind his head. Considering the number of times he claimed her body last night, she was amazed the man had any energy left.
And now that she sat here in the afterglow of everything that happened, the soreness of her body was a badge of honor. She survived her first night with Anders Callahan. And she couldn’t wait for a repeat.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming text. Thinking it was him, she picked up her device, a smile hovering on her lips. When she opened the phone, it was like a cold splash of water. It wasn’t Anders. Of course, she couldn’t be that damn lucky.
Mom: Why aren’t you responding to me?
Mom: You need to stop acting like a child.
Mom: Your father wants you here for dinner next Friday.
Mom: Do not disappoint him.
After reading the texted demands, all Harper could do was take a deep breath. At what point would she stop trying to be the person they wanted her to be? In her family, everyone conformed. They didn’t have many rebels who stepped outside of what was expected of them. Although she had that one cousin who lived in the Boston area. Camille.
That side of the family didn’t really interact with the side of the family who lived in Virginia. She never really understood why her father didn’t talk to his family much. She only remembered making a trip up there once when she was a child. She and Camille had clicked instantly. Even though they tried to stay in contact over the years, time and distance had made it difficult.
Last she heard, Camille was married to a man named Tristan. Maybe she needed to reach out to her cousin to catch up. Life was too fucking hard to not have someone to talk to when things got tough. It would be better if she could rely on her brother, but RJ had never been someone she could be vulnerable with. Of course, if she were in genuine danger, she could reach out to him. She was fairly certain he would show up. Maybe.
And that’s what made the whole situation so fucked up. Her own family never accepted her. They always wanted her to be something else. She was never smart enough. Or good enough. Or simply enough. Not in their eyes, at least.
After doing the mental gymnastics, she gave up. She would not let the thoughts of her family steal her joy this morning. She decided not to wait any longer to do something for herself. Harper opened a new text and fired off a quick note.
H: Hey Camille, it’s ur cousin, Harper.
H: Just wanted 2 check-in. C how ur doing.
H: Thinking of coming ur way 4 a visit.
H: Let me know.
With that done, she smiled, proud of herself for taking the step to break the hold Virginia had on her. She looked at her mother’s text messages again and chose not to respond. There wasn’t really an ask. It was an expectation. Would she really not show up when commanded?
Probably not.
It was too ingrained in her to do what her parents expected, even at twenty-eight years old. Every time she tried to branch out and do something on her own, they tightened the tether that kept her connected to them.
But being with Anders was her choice. He wasn’t someone they would have chosen for her. Not the right background and pedigree. His job was not something they could brag about to their friends at the country club. No, he wouldn’t be someone who could elevate them in the eyes of their elitist friends.
Not that Harper cared about any of that. She wanted to be with Anders because of the man he was, not what he could do for her career. He made her happy. And he fucked her into the mattress and made her come five times in one night. Fuck yeah, she was keeping him. Her parents would either get on board with her choice, or there would be consequences and repercussions. Namely, she would simply not be in their lives. It would be their choice.
Confident in her decisions, she stood from the table and emptied the last of her coffee. It was time to take her shower and get something to eat. And she knew just the place.
An hour later, she walked into Callahan’s and greeted the staff while they raced around, taking care of customers. Her normal spot at the bar was open, but she paused before going to sit down.
“Morning, Harper,” she heard a server call out.
“Morning, Rob. Is the boss around?”
He motioned behind him. “Yeah, he’s just helping out in the kitchen for a bit. We have a busy crowd today. Um, are you going to your usual spot? Want me to bring you anything?”
She looked around and noticed there were no tables open. “Yeah, I’ll go ahead and sit down. A mimosa and two eggs platter, over easy. With bacon,” she finished, smiling at him.
“You got it. I’ll let Anders know you’re here.”
“Thanks.” She made her way to her seat, waving at people she normally saw during the week. This time, they had their families with them—parents, wives, husbands, and children. She never realized just how important this place was to so many people, including herself.
She had been sitting for only a minute or two before Anders came over to her, holding her mimosa and a glass of water. Her head had been down, looking at her e-reader, when he came up behind her. He rested the glasses down in front of her and hugged her from behind. Then he kissed her softly on the neck.
“Hey, beautiful. I thought you were going to rest today.”
A sheepish smile came over her face. “I wanted to see you. Well, that and I was hungry. You serve the best bacon in town.”
He laughed. “Okay, not sure if I should be insulted that my bacon is what made you come see me.”
She shifted in her seat so that she was facing him. Harper looked up into his gorgeous blue eyes and felt herself falling for him even more. “Don’t be insulted. You know exactly what I need that not only feeds my stomach, but other parts of me.”
“So, I’m the total package, huh?”
“That you are, Callahan.”
They were so lost in each other that everyone else around them faded away. Only the low hum of chatter kept him grounded in the here and now. “I gotta get back in there. Johnson is not having a good morning. A couple deliveries were delayed, and to him, that threw his entire rhythm. I’m just giving him some help to get everything in order. I can’t have him scaring away the staff.”
She nodded in response. “Do your thing. I’ll be out here reading.”
Anders leaned down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. Although he couldn’t resist a little taste, he also knew they had a room full of people watching them. Those who came to Callahan’s probably had a good idea about the two of them, but their relationship hadn’t been officially made public until this moment.
“You’re too good to me. Thank you for coming today.”
“You never have to thank me. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
As Anders headed back into the kitchen to help his staff, Harper settled into her seat with a contented sigh. She was used to being on her own. Independent. Strong. But being with Anders made her realize how much more fulfilling life could be when shared with someone who truly cared for her. Her food was delivered, and she ate while waiting for him. She buried herself in the newest book on her e-reader, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Anders.
Their relationship had been a whirlwind from the start. Most people who knew her would never have expected her to jump so fast. What began as casual banter and friendly gestures had quickly evolved into something deeper and more meaningful. Harper never imagined she would fall for someone like Anders—sexy as hell, rough around the edges, charming, and utterly devoted to his business. But here she was, completely enamored by the man who served her bacon with a side of sweetness.
Lost in her thoughts, Harper barely noticed the passage of time until Anders appeared from the back once again. His eyes immediately sought her out, walking in her direction.
Their gazes met, and a smile spread across Anders’ face as he approached her. He reached out his hand to help her up from the chair, and his touch sent a spark through her. She tried to hide with a casual grin, but knew she had failed.
“Ready for a break?” Anders asked, his voice warm and inviting.
Harper nodded, unable to resist the magnetic pull she felt whenever she was near him. As they stepped outside for some fresh air, Anders took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers in a silent promise of companionship and connection.
The streets bustled with life around them, but in that moment, Harper only had eyes for Anders. She fell deeper into his gaze. It was the feeling of being on the precipice of something extraordinary and life-changing.
“I’ve been thinking,” Anders began, his tone strong and confident. “About us.”
Harper’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Her mind raced with possibilities of what he might say next. She held her breath, waiting for him to continue. Anders looked at her with a smile but continued walking down the street as if he owned it. The man did nothing half-assed.
“I know we haven’t been together for long, but I can’t shake this feeling that you’re someone special, Harper,” Anders started, his gaze landing on her face before he continued. “I’ve never felt like this before, and I don’t want to let this chance slip away.” They stopped walking and stood to the side while other people walked around them. Neither of them cared who saw them.
Harper’s heart swelled with emotion. Her own feelings were mirrored in his eyes. Especially after the decisions she made this morning. There was no doubt that what she felt was right. She reached out and cupped his cheek gently, grounding him in the moment with her touch.
“I feel the same way, Anders,” Harper whispered, a soft smile playing on her lips. “I never expected to find someone like you, but I’m glad I did. Who knew walking into your bar that night after a horrible dinner with my family would bring us together?”
Anders exhaled in relief, a weight lifted off his shoulders as he pulled Harper into a warm embrace. At that moment, amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded street, they knew they were ready for whatever came their way.
He was a fighter. Always had been. Even as he clawed and fought his way in the military. Even when no one believed he could turn Callahan’s into a success. He did it. On his own terms, even in the face of doubt. If people didn’t believe in him, his motto was they could go fuck themselves.
But now, he also had Harper. She was his, and there was no turning back. Harper belonged to him in every way that counted. She took a step back, and he frowned, confused by her action.
“I got a text this morning. My mother asked me to come to dinner next week. I’m going. Even though it’s under duress.” She laughed.
“Need me to join as cover?” It was no secret how she felt about her parents and how they treated her like a second-class citizen. Anders was not the type of man to stand back while his woman was made to feel less than. He would respect her parents if they respected her. But from what he knew about them, they were treading on thin ice.
Harper squeezed Anders’ hand gratefully, touched by his unwavering support. She knew how important family was to him, and his willingness to stand by her side meant everything.
“Thank you, but I’ll be okay,” Harper replied, her voice filled with a mix of apprehension and determination. “I need to do this on my own terms. Things need to change. This is my moment to show them I’m not the person they think I am.”
Anders nodded understandingly, with a glint of pride in his eyes at Harper’s resilience. He admired her strength and independence, just some of the qualities that drew him to her in the first place.
“I’ll be waiting for you afterward, no matter what happens,” Anders comforted her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to face them alone. And you also need to know, now that we’re together, no one fucks with what’s mine. You got that? I will protect you, Harper. Even when you can handle things yourself. It’s just how I am.”
Harper’s heart raced, a flurry of emotions swirling within her. Gratitude and doubt warred for dominance as she clutched Anders’ hand, seeking comfort in the warmth and stability it provided. But beneath the surface was a disturbing unease that refused to be quieted.
Harper felt like she was being pulled in two different directions. On one hand, she felt a deep loyalty towards her family and understood their expectations of her future. On the other hand, there was a fierce desire for independence. Her stomach churned with uncertainty about the cliff she was about to step out onto.
Would she be able to face the challenges without her parents’ guidance and support? Would Anders be enough? Was she trading one crutch for another?
As they turned around and began walking back to Callahan’s, Harper couldn’t shake the feeling of being torn between two worlds—one familiar and safe. The other unknown, but oh so exciting. And having Anders by her side to help her through it all was something she could definitely get behind.