35. Harper
Harper
It’s been a few days since we met with Justin.
Before I could change my number, Curtis texted twice, and Cass called in an uproar; he had reached out to her via social media.
She offered to fly out for moral support or to aid in getting rid of a body if needed.
Damn, it was good to hear some of her spark coming back.
A cease-and-desist letter was drafted and should have been delivered to Curtis’s home today.
We haven’t seen him around town, but without knowing for sure if he’s still lurking around, I’ve been leery of letting Lizzie out of my sight.
I’ve kept her home from daycare since he arrived.
Him having pictures of her there makes it feel unsafe to send her until I know he’s gone.
Even then, I’m wondering how we can increase security for her.
The fact that he has made my home feel unsafe makes my blood boil.
I went to the other side of the freaking country to escape his shit, for it only to end up back on my doorstep.
“Jace, it looks fantastic,” I proclaim, taking in the new buildings, open for business and bustling with people.
Guilt pricks at me for missing the grand opening.
Jace had gone, because he needed to be there, but I was still too on edge about Curtis or his PI being around, so I kept Lizzie home.
Jace struggled to leave, and I felt awful that I was the cause of it.
Wren and Bree showed up right after he left, bearing wine and chocolate, saying Jace had called in reinforcements for his girls.
He stands with me, holding Lizzie’s other hand, and smiling ear to ear. “I know I’ve been around for the whole project, but the finished product is unbelievable.” And it really is. “Oooh, after lunch, can we go to the bookstore?” His laugh as he kisses my head warms me.
“Of course.” Jace smiles down at Lizzie while she skips along between us.
I have her hand in a death grip. Being out again makes me feel so exposed, but I know I need to do it.
Hopefully, this outing will be a good toe dip into the water for getting back to work, daycare, and just living.
“They have a few cute Christmas decorations that I thought we could get for the house. What do you think about setting tomorrow aside as a decorating day? Maybe we can stop by the store on the way home, and get stuff to make cookies and hot chocolate?”
“Mmm, talk dirty to me, baby,” I whisper into his ear, giddy with the way he stiffens, then has to adjust his cock.
“Don’t tempt me,” he growls and it goes straight to my core.
“Harper!” Bree’s voice rings out behind us. “Good to see you out and about. Can I borrow Lizzie for a minute? I made a new brownie recipe and need a taste tester.” My pulse races at the idea of letting her out of my sight, but I know Bree would protect her with her life.
“Can I come, too?” Wren calls as she and Blake appear behind us, obviously headed in for lunch as well. I cock a brow at Wren. Are they back on again? She ignores my look and focuses on Bree and Lizzie.
“Sure, come on, you two.” Bree laughs, taking Lizzie’s hand, with Wren taking her other. We watch the trio as they head across the street.
“Jace, I have what you asked for. Do you want it now or later?” Blake has a manila envelope in his hand. My interest is piqued, but I hold my tongue, fully intending to grill Jace once we get inside.
“After lunch is fine. Care to join us?” Jace asks, oblivious to the fact that he probably wants to eat with Wren.
“Nah.” Blake rubs the back of his neck before answering, “I think I’ll just grab my own table, but I’ll meet you after.” Then strides to an open table across the room.
“What was that about? He’s acting squirrely, don't you think?” Jace asks me, and I laugh, sliding into the booth by the window. Before I can answer, someone slides in across from us, and my body locks up. Curtis.
“I guess I didn’t make myself clear before, Curtis. Fuck off,” I grit through my teeth, my jaw clenched so tight I wonder if I'll chip a tooth.
“No, I want to discuss custody of my daughter,” he retorts.
“Not buying it,” I scoff, pissed that he’s here, and that he used the word daughter.
“You didn’t want her when I was pregnant, you haven’t wanted her since, why now?
” He squirms at my words. I’m ready to tell him he has no case, ready to give him a metaphorical middle finger—scratch that, a real one.
“Harper, be reasonable. My wife and I can give her more than you ever could. I have a good job, a respected family, and am married and settled. Everything that is best for a child. You’re a single mom that works as a masseuse at some little spa.”
I’m seething. I see Blake making his way toward us, and as much as I appreciate the backup, this is my fight, and I’m sick of taking his shit.
“You really do love the sound of your own voice,” I quip, raising one brow at him with false bravado.
My insides are trembling, and I have to clench my fist to stop the shaking, but I will not cower from this little shit.
“I’m not that scared and naive teenager anymore, and that spa, I own it.
Just like I own my fucking house, Curtis.
Me. Not my mommy and daddy. You will not waltz in here after five years and belittle what I have built.
I have family here, and a community, more than I ever had back home.
So, you can draft all the paperwork you want but know I will fight you every step of the way.
I won’t make this easy on you, and I will win. ”
Curtis blinks at me rapidly, obviously taken aback by my speech. He probably assumed he could bully me into giving him his way, like he had always done.
“Pathetic, Curtis. You are pathetic.” I enunciate each word. “Now, get out of my face, my booth, and my town. Cease-and-desist papers were already sent to your house. Actually,” I make a show of looking at my watch, “your wife is probably getting them from the courier right now.”
Curtis blanches, but then his face reddens with anger. His fishlike mouth opens to speak but doesn’t get the chance.
“This conversation is over,” Jace says, standing up from our seat.
“No, no, please, be reasonable. I can give Lizzie everything. She deserves a mother and a father.”
“Tick, tick, little buddy, time to go.” Jace looms beside the table like a vengeful god, and it is sexy as hell.
“If you don’t leave, I’ll call the sheriff and get a restraining order.
It’s time to leave, Curtis.” My voice rings with more authority than I feel, and I’m damn proud of that.
In fact, suddenly I’m feeling strong, equipped to handle this, and so freaking ready to move on from the life that he has haunted for far too long.
Ding, the bell above the door rings, followed by the sound of Lizzie’s laughter.
I surge out of the booth, placing myself between Lizzie and Curtis.
It’s not necessary, I know. Jace has moved in front of me, and Blake is right beside him.
Holding my breath, I tell myself she’s safe.
Upon seeing all her favorite people standing there, Lizzie starts to hop up and down, flapping her hands in an expression of such pure joy that only a child could do, unfettered and unblemished by the world.
A string of what might sound like gibberish or random sounds to someone that doesn’t know her bursts from Lizzie’s mouth as she greets everyone, her excitement bubbling over.
Curtis stares at her with disgust warping his features. “Wren, get Lizzie out of here.” Blake's voice cuts through the silence. The tinkle of the bell tells me she has been whisked to safety.
“That can’t be my child!” Curtis's voice rises in anger. “What the fuck is wrong with her?”
“Watch your fucking mouth.” Jace’s words are pure steel, eyes flashing.
“What the hell did you do to her? You worthless bitch, can’t even produce a normal child, she’s a fucking—” Curtis doesn’t get the chance to finish that sentence before Jace’s fist connects with his face. Blake grabs Jace’s arm as he moves to follow Curtis to the floor.
"He's not worth it, man, stop!” Blake roars, manhandling Jace who thrashes desperately to get to Curtis. After a few tense seconds, Jace draws in a deep breath and some of the tension in his stance slackens.
“I’m good.” Rolling his head, stretching his neck, and taking a step back from Curtis, Jace calms himself. Curtis, who is on the floor with blood pouring from his nose, is whimpering like a puppy.
“Get your ass up and out of town, Curtis,” I order.
Curtis drags himself from the floor, and a sneer, much like the last time I saw him in Maine, spreads across his face.
“Gotcha!” He laughs, the sound manic. “I fucking got you! You assaulted me in public. I’m pressing charges, and my lawyers will eat you up.
Say goodbye to your little boy toy, Harper.
Oh, and maybe, I’ll take the child for good measure, might be a good sob story, taking in a kid like her. ”
Jace lunges, but Blake is faster, stopping another round. He leans in close, saying something for Jace only. Whatever it is has him calming instantly, and…what the fuck, is he smirking?
“I don’t think you want to do that, pal.
” Blake’s voice carries more swagger than I’ve ever heard.
“Cause if you do, well, then I’ll just send these to Catherine.
” Blake holds up photos of Curtis heading into a hotel with a woman, another of him kissing a girl at a bar, and finally, one of him in a car with yet another woman.
“Oh, and my personal favorite is the recording of you admitting to embezzling from your in-law's firm. You really should learn to delete your phone history better.” A harsh laugh bursts from my mouth. Curtis’s face has gone ghostly white.
He recovers quickly enough, straightening his jacket, then looking right at me. “Fuck you, fuck all of you.” He spins, pointing to the crowd now surrounding us, then to Jace. “They’re all yours. You can have that defective child and her whore of a mother, I’m out.”
A round of applause follows him out the door.
Wren comes back in with Lizzie through the back door.
I meet them and take Lizzie in my arms. Wren is darting looks around the crowd, and I want to laugh, knowing she hates being out of the loop.
Blake takes pity on her, pulling her to the side, and talking into her ear.
The crowd slowly disperses, and folks get back to whatever they were doing before.
Jace walks over and wraps Lizzie and me into a tight hug.
My little family. We only get a few seconds of peace before we are herded to a new booth, and everyone I love scoots in to chat and enjoy lunch.
I know things aren’t over, and Curtis might still be an issue, but for at least a few minutes, I let myself relax and just soak up the love surrounding us.