Lane’s expression shuttered, his gaze wary. He shrugged off West’s hand. “Nothing at all. She’s a friend. That’s it.”
“Bullshit. She’s into you.” There was no reason to play games or be vague. West may as well lay it all out on the line. “She likes you. I know she does. But you keep pushing her away.”
“I’m not interested in Delilah. Not like that.” Lane looked away, a muscle working in his jaw. A telltale sign that he was irritated. “We’d never work out anyway so what’s the point?”
West frowned. “Why would you say that? If you like her and she likes you, I don’t see how the two of you spending time together would be a problem.”
“It’s not that easy. We’re totally different.” Lane hesitated. “We want different things.”
“What do you want anyway, Lane? To come home to an empty house every night and make a boring meal for one before you recline in your chair with a beer in your hand watching shitty reality TV? That sounds fucking awful if you ask me.” West shook his head.
“Well, you should know, considering that’s probably what you do every night when you’re not working. Am I right?” The look Lane sent him was pointed.
Damn it, yeah he was. Though he wasn’t a huge fan of reality TV. “Okay, you got me. But I’m seriously starting to think I don’t want that life anymore.” It was too damn lonely, not that he would admit that to his coldhearted big brother.
After what happened last night, when he thought he lost Harper, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Lost sleep over her, tossing and turning all night once he finally slipped into bed. He’d been so damn tempted to call her first thing this morning but then thought it better to let her rest and recover.
Besides, what could he do? He was still stuck at the station. He felt fucking helpless.
Lane raised his brows. “Really? You better make sure you mean that before you go spouting off to Harper that you’re all in or whatever other bullshit you’re going to feed her. You don’t want to break her heart, do you?”
West was taken aback at Lane’s words. “I won’t break her heart.” Then he thought of what she’d said last night, how they were just having fun. Messing around. That it wasn’t anything serious, what they were doing. “She just got out of a relationship. I won’t be the heartbreaker, Roger already did that.”
“Actually, she dumped Roger. Though he agreed pretty readily that their relationship wasn’t working.” Well, well, well, look at his brother, the gossipmonger. Who knew Lane had it in him? “Don’t forget that. And she’s had a thing for you for years. Back when she was nothing but a kid with a harmless crush. Well, I’m guessing what she feels for you now is a lot more than that. I’d bet money that you could snap her heart clean in half if you said or did the wrong thing. Trust me on this, little brother.” Lane patted his shoulder. “Be careful with that girl. She’s delicate. And she’s totally into you.”
West had nothing to say to his brother’s speech. He only nodded as they walked over to the garage side by side. They spoke to Tate, and Lane ran through the grim details of what the fire investigation had turned up so far. Tate had plenty to say about it, most of his comments heavily peppered with expletives, but West remained silent. He was too distracted, mulling over what Lane had said about Harper.
Was she really too delicate? Did he have the power to break her heart? Ever since they started in on this . . . relationship, this seeing-each-other type thing, he’d felt like she was the dangerous one. How comfortable he felt with her, her easygoing personality. With her sweet smiles and soft sighs, those pretty, delicious lips and that luscious body. The way she’d murmured his name just before he entered her . . .
Yeah. She could strike pure terror in the most calloused of hearts, and his was one of the hardest. She made him want to feel. Worse, she made him want more. More time with Harper, more of those conversations they shared, those sweet smiles and soft sighs, her delicious lips and her luscious body. He liked the way she looked at him, like he was in on their private joke and they were the only ones who knew the punch line . . .
But the thing that terrified him the most? That they might not be on the same page after all. Did they want the same things? What the hell did he really want anyway? Was he thinking too fast, getting too ahead of himself?
Probably.
Being honest with Harper, laying everything out on the line, should be his next move. He wanted to be open. He wanted to tell her the truth, to tell her what he wanted. But that would be pretty damn tough, especially when he wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted himself.
He knew one thing though. What had happened last night, the close call with Harper, how he’d thought at one point that he could possibly lose her . . . it had made him realize that she needed to know how he really felt about her. And he needed to tell her.
As soon as he possibly could.
HARPER ACHED EVERYWHERE. She hadn’t bothered going in to work at the diner, hadn’t bothered getting out of bed. Once she got home last night, her grandma had taken care of her, fed her chicken soup in bed after she’d taken a shower and washed off all the dirt and grime.
She’d slept in, then taken another hot shower to ease the tenderness in her sore muscles, careful not to get the bandage on her forehead wet. She’d fixed herself a bagel with cream cheese and then crawled back into bed when she discovered she could barely keep her eyes open. Played around on her phone for a little while, texted Wren and Delilah, checking in on them, before falling back asleep.
It wasn’t until her grandma came home in the early evening that she woke up again.
“Lazy bones,” her grandma chastised as she entered the bedroom and flicked on the overhead light. Harper blinked, threw her arm over her eyes to block the brightness. “Are you not well? Do you need to see a doctor?”
“I’m fine. Just tired,” Harper grumbled. “Turn off the light, please.”
“Hmm.” Grandma did as she asked then bustled into the room and pulled the blinds open instead, letting in the waning sunlight. “Tell me the truth, young lady. Is your head okay? Are you traumatized by what happened to you yesterday? Do you need counseling? I could arrange it, you know.”
Leave it to her grandma to be blunt. “No, I’m all right. Really. I’m just . . . ” She didn’t know what she was. Tired and achy, yes, that was legitimate. Scared of the unknown because she hadn’t heard from West all day . . . ?
There was that too.
Wren and Delilah, she was good with. They’d said their apologies and were back to normal. It wouldn’t be weird between them because they’d known each other far too long to let it get weird. But West?
They’d seen each other briefly before she left with the girls. He’d hugged her, kissed her cheek, and whispered that he’d contact her tomorrow. Well, tomorrow was almost gone with no word from West. She knew he was busy. He was working and hadn’t been off duty for days. The man was exhausted and most likely had more important things to do.
It still hurt though, that she hadn’t heard from him. She’d sent him a quick text but no reply so far. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Did she matter? Would she ever matter? Wasn’t she worth a two-word text? Even a one-word text would’ve sufficed. At least that would’ve shown that he was thinking about her.
But he couldn’t even manage that and it hurt. The man turned her into a thousand neuroses, all of them rising to the surface and making her an agitated, dysfunctional mess. When it came to Weston Gallagher, she cared too damn much.
That could totally end up biting her in the butt.
“You’re just what?” her grandma asked, interrupting her panic-induced thoughts.
“I’m just . . . ” Harper shrugged. “Quietly freaking out over my life choices?”
“Oh dear.” Grandma settled heavily on the edge of the mattress, wearing a frown of concern. “What exactly are you talking about?”
Taking a deep breath, Harper decided to just go for it. She unloaded completely on her gr
andmother, from her worry over breaking up with Roger to seeing West a few times—though she left out the sex details—to her fear that she was working a nowhere job—no offense, Grandma—and she felt like she was making one major mistake after the next.
“See, that’s the beauty of it all,” Grandma said when she finally stopped rambling. “You’re young. You’re allowed to make mistakes. They’re a part of life.”
“But I’m twenty-six,” Harper reminded her. “Aren’t I too old for this sort of thing?” She worried that she was. Her mom and dad had been married by the time they were twenty-six. And Harper had been on the marriage track with Roger . . . until she wasn’t. Now she had a sometimes-boyfriend who kissed like a dream but was a total commitment-phobe.
“You’re never too old to make a mistake. Trust me.” Grandma laughed and shook her head. “I still make mistakes all the time.”
“You do?” Harper could hardly believe it. She knew it was silly, but her grandma had always been pretty much perfect in her eyes.
“Oh yes, constantly. I date the wrong sort of men. I’ve made a mess of my business filing and organization and now my granddaughter has to work extra hard to set me straight.”
Harper smiled a little at that.
“I worry about the diner. Should I sell it? Should I keep it open? Is it worth the hassle? I worry about money. Do I have enough? I worry about my friends. I get mad when that old broad Martha Burlingame makes those snide remarks and tries to tear me down. I despise that woman.” She shook her head. “I still miss your grandpa, though I don’t like to say that out loud. My son—your father—makes me crazy, but I know he means well. Yes, I make mistakes, but I’m a grown woman, a human being, and I’m allowed. Just like you, dear.”
Harper nodded, dropping her gaze to the comforter. She plucked at an imaginary string, taking in what her grandma said. “I feel like I should have it all together.”
“No one has it all together. Not really. Just because they act perfect or have the perfect job or the perfect-looking boyfriend or husband or whatever, no one is perfect. We’re all struggling, all trying to live our lives as best we can. Just make sure you’re having fun, because if we’re not having any fun, then what’s the point?” Grandma smiled. “Now. That nice boy you’ve been seeing is coming over tonight. I saw him earlier at the diner and told him to come pick you up and take you out.”
“Wait, what?” Harper sat up straighter in bed, running her hand over her tangled hair. “Who are you talking about?” She knew exactly who Grandma was talking about, but she needed to hear her say his name.
“Why, Weston Gallagher of course. He came by earlier this morning for a second breakfast after they released him at the station. Was hoping he’d see you, but I told him you were home resting.”
He came by the BFD to see her? Never before had Harper been tempted to hit her grandma. Until now. “You told him that?” she squeaked. Her grandma should’ve called her immediately to let her know West stopped by.
“Well, yes. Every girl needs her beauty sleep before she goes on a date with her handsome boyfriend. And that Weston is drop-dead gorgeous, dear, especially in that uniform he wears. You sure know how to pick ’em.” Grandma fanned herself with her hand.
Harper burst out laughing. “He is pretty cute, huh?” Oh, he was so cute. And sweet. And sexy. And funny.
She could go on and on.
“That’s putting it mildly. Now. Go. Get ready. He’ll be here in an hour.”
“You really arranged a time for him to come by and everything?” Harper gaped at her.
“Of course, I did. I told him not to disturb you during the day, so that’s why you never heard from him. Poor boy is probably champing at the bit to see you. Which truly, that’s the ideal situation.” The smile on her grandma’s face was downright naughty.
Harper leaned forward and pulled her grandma into her arms, squeezing her tight. “Thank you,” she murmured. “For the pep talk. And for arranging my date tonight.”
“Anytime, dear. Though you really should consider looking for a new place to live eventually. Or else I’m afraid we’ll start cramping each other’s style,” Grandma said with a laugh.
Chapter Sixteen
THE DOORBELL RANG, and Harper counted to ten before answering it, as per her grandma’s instructions.
“Anticipation is key, darling,” she’d trilled as she left the house to go on her own date for the evening. “And don’t expect me back until tomorrow morning!”
Harper could’ve done without that little detail.
Running her hands down the front of her dress, she shook her hair behind her shoulders, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door.
West stood on the doorstep, clad in jeans and a black T-shirt, a bouquet of wildflowers clutched in his hand. His eyes went wide upon first seeing her, scanning the entire length of her body. “Hey.”
She smiled. “Hi.”
He took a step forward, thrusting the flowers toward her. “These are for you.”
“They’re beautiful, thank you.” She took the bouquet from him and brought the flowers to her nose, inhaling deeply their sweet scent. “Come in, let me put these in water.”
He followed her inside, shutting the door behind him as she went into the kitchen. She was nervous, having him so close, so many unspoken things shimmering between them. She wanted to grab him. Kiss him. Tell him she missed him, but she was still feeling a little unsure.
So instead, she grabbed a vase from the cupboard and filled it with water, then arranged the flowers carefully, her fingers drifting over the soft, colorful petals. She could feel West enter the kitchen, his magnetic presence making her shiver, and she went completely still. She was trying to come up with something to say when he was suddenly behind her, his big hands engulfing her hips, his warm mouth close to her ear.
“It about killed me to follow your grandma’s orders today,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her neck and sending tingles scattering all over her skin.
She placed her hands over his when he slid his arms around her waist. “What were her orders?”
“Don’t contact you. No texting, no calling, no nothing. Just show up here at seven and take you out. Bring flowers.” He paused. “That’s exactly what she told me to do.”
Aw, her grandma was the best. Though it had been a slow form of torture, not hearing from West all day. “Why didn’t you just give in and call me?” She leaned against him, loving how his solid, lean body cradled hers.
“She said it would be better this way. I think her exact words were anticipation is key.” He kissed her neck again, his lips lingering. “I think she might’ve been right.”
Harper absolutely couldn’t take it anymore. She turned, slipped her arms around his neck, and rose up on tiptoe, pressing her mouth to his. West immediately cupped the back of her head with one hand, keeping her there, not that he had to. His mouth devoured hers and he tilted his head to the side, taking the kiss deeper in an instant. She moaned at the first touch of his tongue against hers, overwhelmed by the way he took total command of the situation.
“Is your grandma here?” he asked a few long, delicious minutes later, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke. He’d gathered the skirt of her sundress in his fingers until her butt was practically exposed and now he thought to ask if her grandma was around? “I’m about to throw you on the kitchen floor and get you naked if I don’t watch it.”
A thrill shivered down her spine at his dark words. “She’s gone for the night.”
He smiled, his fingers pulling the skirt higher, cool air hitting her backside. She tried to swat his hand away, but he was too quick. “So are you saying I can get you naked in your grandma’s guest room? Or is that too crazy?”
It wasn’t too crazy. She was just as eager to have him. She withdrew from his arms and took his hand, smiling as she led him back to her temporary bedroom. “Come with me.”
He rushed her into the small room, slamming the
door behind him and gathering her into his arms. She went willingly, laughing when he fell onto the bed with her. He rolled over so that she was pinned beneath him, his knees bracketing her hips, his hands pressed on either side of her head.
“I probably should’ve done the right thing and taken you to dinner first,” he said, his gaze roaming over her face as he studied her. “But I couldn’t wait. It’s been too long since we’ve been alone. Really alone.”
She was rendered breathless by his admission. “I’m glad you couldn’t wait.”
West bent down and kissed her, his lips lingering, warm and soft. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“I want you.”
Harper smiled, tilting her head back when he slid his lips down the length of her neck. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the delicious sensation of his mouth on her skin. “I want you too.”
“I think I’m falling in love with you.”
She went completely still as all the air lodged in her throat. Her eyes popped open and she stared up at the ceiling. His admission threw her for a complete loop. Could he really mean it? West wasn’t one to just toss out careless declarations. She knew this. But still . . .
He lifted his head, his somber gaze meeting hers. “I meant what I said, Harper. After what happened yesterday, it made me realize just how much I care about you. You’ve always been a part of my life, and I took that for granted. I was a jerk to you in the past and I regret it so damn much. I came back here to Wildwood, and you should’ve treated me like shit for leaving you like I did, but you didn’t. Not really. And somehow, you allowed me back into your life, and you worked your way into my heart.”
She reached for his face, drifted her fingers along his smooth-shaven jaw. “You’ve always been in my heart, West. For years, you’ve been there, even when you shouldn’t have been.”
Closing his eyes, he leaned into her palm. “I know, and I took advantage of that when I kissed you that one night. But no more. You deserve to know how I feel about you.”
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