“Then I will take a step back and let the lady pass.” Harper carefully backed up the stairs, holding out one arm as she bowed to Cait. “After you.”
Cait stalked towards Harper, gripping her hand and dragging her into an alcove between two rooms. “Just…” Cait’s lips found Harper’s with an urgency, a want. Harper hadn’t ever experienced something so intense as she had with Cait, and now that made her decision to leave even harder. Why couldn’t Mandy come down the stairs and tell Cait she had to leave? Why was Harper the one appeasing people? “This morning was amazing,” Cait said breathlessly. “And I really wish we could have spent tonight together.”
With their foreheads pressed together, Harper’s belly flipped. She felt exactly the same way Cait did, but how did she explain why she was leaving without causing unrest?
“Something is on your mind,” Cait whispered against Harper’s lips. “Is it me? Is this too much for you?”
Harper pressed her body against Cait, trapping her against the wall. What Cait was saying couldn’t be further from the truth. “You’ll never be too much for me.”
“Can I see you through the week?”
Harper’s smile grew. “Text me when you want to see me. I’ll make myself available.”
“And if I happened to text you when I’ve managed to kick Mandy out?”
Harper’s tongue trailed Cait’s bottom lip before slipping into her mouth. She put everything she had into the kiss; Cait had to know she wasn’t leaving because she didn’t want to be here. God, this woman drives me crazy. “I’ll be here.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Cait wrapped a blanket around her, bringing her knees to her chest as she snuggled in front of the fire. The thick rug covering the wooden floor felt soft against her feet, but her head hurt. How had this morning been so incredible, and now this evening she was feeling lousy about everything else? Mandy was to blame; Cait never should have given her the satisfaction of hanging around. But that was Cait. Loyal to everyone except for herself.
Now that Mandy had left, Cait was overwhelmed by everything her best friend had said to her this evening. She shouldn’t be surprised, Mandy never had known when to keep her thoughts to herself, but it seemed to hurt more this time around. Perhaps it was the unadulterated joy she’d woken to this morning, only for it all to turn on its head this evening. She didn’t know. But as Cait pulled the blanket around her tighter, she really wished Harper were here.
Mandy was complicated. Though she had never intentionally hurt Cait in the past, her comments had stung. But Mandy was one of those people who didn’t realise what they were saying half of the time. That didn’t mean Cait condoned Mandy’s opinion, but it did usually make it easier for her to let it go. Except this time, it continued to gnaw away at the back of her mind. Add to it the foolish decision to leave Harper alone with Mandy, and Cait could truly punch herself in the face tonight.
She wasn’t sure why, but she got the impression that Harper had left earlier for a reason. Cait could only hope that Mandy hadn’t scared her off and Harper was just too polite to explain that when she caught her on the stairs. If Cait had to make things right, she would.
A light knock on the door pulled Cait from the internal war she was having with herself. And then the sound of a key turning caught her attention. She glanced over her shoulder to find Jude staring down at her. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Mmhmm. I have someone here to see you.”
Cait frowned. “To see me?”
“Should I let her in?” Jude asked. “I don’t think she would take no for an answer anyway.”
It had to be Harper.
Cait smiled. “Let her in.”
Jude stepped out of the room, only to be replaced by Harper. She stood with her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, her gorgeous rich hair flowing over one shoulder. “I was going to send a text, but thought I’d just show up instead.”
“Close the door. Come and join me.” Cait opened the blanket she was wrapped up in, offering Harper the space beside her.
“Are you okay? Or do you often sit on the floor like a weirdo?” Harper turned her head, meeting Cait’s eyes with a smirk playing on her mouth. “I mean, it’s fine if you are a weirdo. We’d go well together.”
“It’s warmer down here.” Cait’s eyes returned to the dancing flames, the skin of her face heated. “I was just having a minute to myself.”
“Did you want to be alone? I can go if you’d prefer that…”
Cait took Harper’s hand beneath the blanket. “No, I don’t want you to go anywhere. Just…sit here with me a while.”
And Harper did exactly that. Though they sat in silence, it was comfortable. Cait didn’t feel the need to fill the air with pointless chatter, and she enjoyed having Harper’s hand in hers. She had so many things she wanted to say to Harper, but she didn’t know where to begin. Cait didn’t do speeches. She hadn’t ever found herself in a position where she needed to. But with Harper? With Harper, she wanted to be as honest as she possibly could. She wanted everything to mould into place naturally but with communication when needed.
She knew this evening required no communication, and she knew that Harper would sit in silence for as long as she believed it was needed, but Cait didn’t want that. Not really. She wanted to know Harper, inside and out.
“When I came out to my parents, I never for one moment thought that they would understand. Mum goes to church every Sunday, Dad just…well, he’s Dad. This town doesn’t have the best track record with being welcoming to something different, but I got the shock of my life when everyone shrugged and went back to their lives. I mean, that was all I could have hoped for. But I expected my best friend to embrace it just like everybody else did.”
“Mandy doesn’t agree with it?”
Cait blew out a deep breath. “She’s so hard to read, so I have no idea.”
Harper cleared her throat, turning her body inwards and towards Cait. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”
Cait’s stomach dropped. She knew something had happened while she was called away. “What makes you say that?”
“She was just…hostile towards me. And I guess I shouldn’t really worry about that since it was the first time she’d met me, but it made me feel uncomfortable.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing in particular. She just mentioned that she would have a word with you about me. That I’m somehow taking advantage of you, I don’t know.” Harper ran a hand down her face. “But it really doesn’t matter. So long as you don’t believe those things, Mandy can think whatever she wants to think.”
“I’m sorry she said that to you, Harper.” Cait settled a hand against Harper’s cheek, trying hard to keep her anger at bay. “I don’t know what her problem is, but you know I don’t think those things.”
“And she couldn’t convince you to feel that way?”
Cait brushed her lips against Harper’s, smiling as their foreheads pressed together. “Never.”
“Then we don’t need to talk about it any longer. I’m sure you’ll set her straight when the time is right for you. You’re my main concern, not anybody else.”
Had Cait ever been another person’s concern? She couldn’t recall a time.
“Thank you for coming to me when you needed a place to sleep.”
“This was the one place I knew I’d be welcomed.”
“And this is one place that you can always feel that way.” Cait pulled Harper against her, stretching out her legs and resting her head on Harper’s shoulder. “Just so you know…I used to check you out when you came here with Callie.”
She felt Harper grin. “Damn, I wish I’d known.”
“Oh, no. Nothing good could have ever come from you knowing, or me allowing myself to be attracted to you.”
“Nothing?”
Cait shook her head. “No. Because then I could have been a homewrecker.”
Harper snorted. “Turns out, you wouldn’t h
ave been the only one.”
“Still,” Cait said, wrapping an arm around Harper’s shoulder. “This happened when it was supposed to. Neither of us have done anything wrong, so neither of us have to worry. You were single, and I’ve been single since forever.”
“I still don’t understand how.”
“Does it really matter?” Cait asked.
Harper turned her head, pressing a kiss below Cait’s ear. “No, it doesn’t.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Three weeks later…
Harper whistled as she made her way up the hill, Kendal Mint Cake and other sugary treats gripped in her hand from her morning of perusing the local shops in town. She had a completely free weekend coming up, and if that meant she had to hang around waiting for Cait to have a moment’s peace to herself, Harper would one hundred percent do that. She’d promised herself a morning stroll, step one accomplished, and now she was on her way to the woman who held her heart.
I’m out of my bloody mind! Harper laughed, but she struggled to care. How could she when Cait was the reason she was smiling constantly? How could she for one second panic about everything that was happening when Harper had never felt so content and thrilled by the path her life was taking? Stop thinking and just enjoy this.
And for once, Harper would take her own advice. After all, taking it from others never seemed to work out for her. So, she’d made the decision to do whatever felt right for her, and this did. It felt so right that the idea it could possibly be wrong seemed ludicrous.
As she arrived at the B&B, Harper glanced down at herself, satisfied that she was wrapped up enough for Cait’s approval. She’d been told off more than once for not wearing a scarf when it was chilly, but it only made Harper swoon harder. Cait cared. Not only about the sexual aspects of their relationship but about Harper’s wellbeing. That meant so much to her. Cait had even sent a text this morning to check Harper had eaten breakfast—another thing she was trying to keep on top of. Callie had never done anything like that. She’d never cared the way Cait did. And as Harper pushed through the unlocked inside door, she realised Callie probably didn’t have the capacity to care about anyone other than herself.
“Harper, hi.” Jude stepped out of the communal lounge. “You here to see Cait?”
“I am. Is she busy?”
“She’s up in the office. She’s getting the last of her things ready for this afternoon.”
Harper frowned. “This afternoon?”
“Go up. I’m sure she’ll explain. Cait…panics.”
Okay. What is she panicking about?
Harper decided she would find out herself. Jude had better things to do than stand around listening to Harper. “I’ll go up.”
“She could probably do with a bit of encouragement,” Jude said, collecting some leaflets from the stand. “And I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
Harper’s heart fluttered. “Yeah?”
“Go up, Harper.” Jude winked and vanished back into the communal lounge.
And Harper would do exactly that. If Cait was having a minor meltdown about something, Harper would love nothing more than to see her through it. Isn’t that what she was here for? To calm nerves. To be a sounding board. To help in any way possible.
Harper bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The office door was closed, but Harper could hear Cait talking to herself from behind the wood. She could stand here and admire that side of Cait, or she could put Cait out of her misery and hopefully help in some way.
Harper lifted her hand, knocking gently. “Cait?”
“Come in.”
Harper pushed the door open, surprised to see a flustered looking Cait with her head in her hands. “Hi. Jude said it would be okay to come up.”
“I could use a distraction for five minutes…”
Harper grinned when Cait’s eyes finally met hers. “Then I’m glad I showed up when I did.”
Cait spied the bag in Harper’s hand. “What’s in that?”
“Just some treats. And lunch, if you fancy some?”
Cait slumped back in her seat. “You’ve just reminded me that I need to eat. I couldn’t tell if I was going to hurl or whether it was hunger pains.”
“Have you had breakfast?” Harper quirked an eyebrow. “You were quick enough to text me this morning, but have you eaten today?”
Cait offered a crooked smile. “I had half a round of toast around seven-thirty.”
Harper immediately emptied the bag out onto Cait’s desk, shaking her head. “Right. Time to eat. And then you can explain why you’re losing your mind in here.”
“I have to meet with the health spa down at the lake in a few hours.”
Harper glanced up, her palms flat against the desk. “O…kay.”
“I just…I hate anything like this. Meetings, public speaking. Anything that doesn’t involve me being here in my comfort zone.”
Harper hadn’t expected that. Cait always seemed to be so put together when it came to life. But Harper would admit that it was refreshing to see another woman who had fears. She’d always felt inadequate when it came to being full of self-confidence. “I think you’ll smash it.”
“I don’t know why I’m so worried. I’ve known the owner of the health spa for several years.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Harper asked, handing over a wrapped freshly made sandwich. She really hoped she’d picked the right one. “Other than ply you with food…”
“The food is perfect, thank you.” Cait unwrapped her sandwich, grinning as she checked the filling. “I don’t recall telling you my favourite sandwich.”
“You didn’t. I just guessed.”
“You guessed turkey and cranberry?” Cait asked, her eyebrow arched. “That’s impressive guess work.”
“I got it right? Wow. That never happens.”
Cait got to her feet, placing her sandwich down as she beckoned Harper closer. She leaned over the desk wearing a sweet smile, her lips brushing Harper’s. “Maybe we’re just in tune.”
Harper’s insides fizzed with delight. Cait was right on the money. “Mm. You’re right.”
“Sit,” Cait said, grinning. “Because if you keep looking at me like that, I’m never going to have lunch.”
“Depends what kind of lunch you were hoping for.”
Cait cleared her throat as she shook her head. Harper loved it when she blushed. It meant she was causing the right kind of reaction. “Something substantial. And this sandwich will certainly hit the spot.”
Harper took a seat, staring at Cait from across the table. She looked different in her blazer and blouse. She looked…professional. Snazzy. “You look great, by the way.”
Cait tugged at the lapels of her blazer, grinning. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure what look to go for, so I decided on this.”
“Let me guess, you have your comfy jeans and boots on underneath?” Cait was definitely a comfy jeans kinda girl, but so was Harper. If it didn’t feel good against her skin, it didn’t come home to live in her wardrobe. That had always been a number one rule.
“Should I have worn that?” Cait wrinkled her nose. “I mean, I had to put in a little bit of effort.”
“Hey, you look gorgeous whatever you’re wearing. I’m just not used to seeing you looking so professional and serious. But let me say, it looks fantastic on you. Very dominating. You’ll have that room of people wrapped around your little finger in no time.”
“I’ll bear that in mind. It beats thinking of them all naked.”
“Ew. I’ve never understood people who give that advice out. There are very few people I would want to imagine naked.”
“Oh?”
“I wouldn’t worry. You’re top of the list.” Harper winked, chomping down on her sandwich. “You’ll always be top of that list.”
Cait sighed, rocking back in her office chair. “I didn’t realise how much I needed you to come by today.”
Cait threw her head back laughing, almost ch
oking on her cup of coffee as Harper snorted her own laugh. That only sent her howling again, almost tipping back on her chair. She waved a hand in front of her, silently begging Harper to stop, but that tickle remained and Cait couldn’t contain it.
“I think I’ve ruined your makeup.” Harper grimaced. “My apologies.”
“You know what, I don’t even care.” Cait blew out a deep breath, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “This has been everything I needed today. You’ve definitely kept my mind off the panic I felt earlier.”
Harper’s face morphed into a serious expression. “You have no reason to worry about anything. You’re beautiful and you’re going to nail it today. They’d be lucky to go into business with you.”
“It’s already basically a done deal. It’s just some finalising.”
“And you’re worried about that? Why?”
Cait shrugged. “They’ve asked me to put together a presentation.”
“Seems a bit dramatic if things are already concrete.”
Cait had to agree. She’d wondered if she read the email right a few days ago. “I know. But they’ve asked if I’d put one together, so I have.”
“Well, you’re going to be fine anyway.” Harper smiled one of her sweet smiles. “Did you want me to walk you down? I don’t mind…”
“I’m driving.”
Harper quirked an eyebrow. “To the lake? That’s not like you. You walk everywhere.”
“Mm. But my choice of footwear would guarantee a broken neck before I reached the bottom of the hill.”
Harper frowned.
Cait pushed her chair back from her desk, lifting her leg to expose the six-inch heels she was wearing.
“H-holy shit!” Harper’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open as her eyes trailed the length of Cait’s leg, landing on her thigh. “You’ve been sitting behind there this whole time like that?”
Okay, Cait was lost. “I have. Why?”
Harper turned her watch towards her. “What time did you say you had to leave?”
Breaking Routine Page 19