Chapter 52
Chapter Fifty-Two
H arper leaned into Mitch. A moment later, as if suddenly realizing what he was doing, his arms were around her, his hands gently resting on her back.
With the same light touch, she placed her fingertips on his chest. This couldn’t be easy for him. Jeanie had been his life. Harper could only imagine what he was feeling. She hoped it was all good.
His kiss was tentative at first, but that changed, and the kiss became more certain. More deliberate. She would have smiled if her mouth wasn’t already busy.
He pulled away, breathing heavier than he had just a couple of seconds ago, but his hands stayed on her. “You’re sure you’re all right with this?”
“I haven’t run screaming, have I?”
“It feels strange.”
“I bet it does. Doesn’t feel strange to me.”
He stepped back and, after a second of hesitation, jammed his hands into his pockets. “I expected a very different conversation. One that did not include kissing you again.”
“And yet, you did.” She was more amused by this than anything. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I don’t know. Yes. I guess.” He took a deep breath and exhaled it all out. “Am I ready for this?”
“Are you asking me?”
“No. I’m asking myself.”
“Do you want to be ready for this?”
He looked into her eyes, then nodded. “Yes. I don’t know if Kyle is, though.”
“He’s an adult. You can always try talking to him.”
“Right. I should do that.”
“Look, whatever this is, I know it’s new ground for you. That you’re going to have a lot of feelings about it. I’m all right with taking things slow and in whatever way works for you. Assuming you want this to go somewhere.”
“I…think I do. Do you?”
She nodded, knowing he needed honesty. “I’m not going to be involved with someone just for the physical payoff. I’m too old for that. Besides, I know my worth and it’s more than being someone’s bed partner.”
“I never meant to imply—”
“You didn’t. But I want to be clear about my expectations so that you can figure out if it’s going to work for you. If we’re going to have a relationship, then it needs to be with a view to the future in mind. I’m telling you this because you have a lot to think about. You might as well have all the facts while you do that thinking.”
“You’re right, I do have a lot to think about. But this is good. I want to consider the future, too.” He smiled suddenly. “The future.” He snorted softly. “You know, just a few weeks ago I’d have told you I couldn’t have cared less what the future held. It didn’t matter to me. Now it does.”
That was a good sign. For him and them. “I’m happy for you. That’s big.”
“It feels big.” He took another breath and seemed to be searching for words. “Okay. So you’re good with this? And it won’t affect our working relationship?”
“Not in a negative way. Should I assume we’re keeping this private until…”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’m sorry. That’s probably not fair to you, but I’m not ready to make a big thing about this. I need to talk to Kyle, obviously, but even then, well, you know I’m a private person.”
“And I’m good with that. It’s really no one’s business. But Frankie and Willa already suspect something happened between us.”
He put his hand on the back of his neck. “So did Joyce. And I thought we were pretty cool about the whole thing.”
“So much for that.”
He laughed. “Right.” She thought he might leave then, but he stayed where he was. “I like you, Harper.”
“I should hope so, considering what we were just doing.”
He grinned. “I never thought someone like you would come into my life. That I would get a second chance at…this sounds like I’m about to propose. I don’t mean to put pressure on you, I just want you to know that I think you’re special and I’m really grateful that you’re in my life.”
“You can thank Arlington for that.”
Mitch nodded. “Good point. If he hadn’t sent you over with that letter…” Mitch shook his head. Then he chuckled softly. “You know what he told me in that letter? He requested that I engage your services.”
Her mouth came open. “He did?”
“Yep. He also told me that you were the one who talked him into taking the role of the Doomsday Oracle.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe he shared that.”
“He knew what he was doing by telling me that. It made me see you differently.” Mitch’s gaze took on a faraway look. “He even told me that I should let you show me how to find happiness again. I thought he’d lost it, honestly.”
She chuckled. “In his letter to me, he told me to befriend you, and to listen to you, if I could get you to talk. He also said I shouldn’t be put off by your crankiness.”
“I’m glad you weren’t.” Mitch took her hand. “I miss him terribly.”
“Me, too. But it’s kind of sweet knowing he was thinking about both of us in his final days.”
“Yeah, it is.” He met her eyes again. “We should do our best not to disappoint him.”
“I agree.” She already owed Arlington for the house. Now she owed him for Mitch, too. “Do you want me to come over later and talk about the book?”
“Sure. That would be great. Although I didn’t write that much today.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Ruthie?”
“Mostly Kyle. But if I’m being honest, it was also you.” He blew out a breath. “I really thought I’d screwed things up.”
“Well, you didn’t. I’ll see you in a few hours. Okay?”
“Okay.” He leaned in, gave her a quick kiss, then headed out, smiling.
She watched him for a moment, then closed the door, smiling pretty hard herself.
“Did Mitch just kiss you?” Willa stood in the rec room, just past the entrance.
“How long have you been standing there? It’s not cool to eavesdrop.”
Willa swallowed. “I didn’t mean to. I thought you heard me come in.”
“Well, we didn’t.” Harper wasn’t really mad, but she did not want Willa sharing anything she’d just seen or heard. “You aren’t to mention this to anyone. I mean it. Not even your mother. This is private, personal business.”
“Not even Mom?”
“No one.” Harper frowned. “I’ll tell her when it’s time. Just like I imagine you’ll tell us where you were all day when you’re ready.”
Willa made a face. “I won’t say anything. I swear.”
“I’m holding you to that.” But Harper had a feeling their secret wasn’t going to stay that way for long.