All Because I Met You (Morgan's Bay, #2)

by Theresa Paolo

  Harper still had her doubts. She couldn’t help herself. They’d been down this road before, and Mom always fell off the wagon. Though, this time seemed different, and deep-down Harper hoped that it was.

  “I’m proud of you, Mom. I want you to know that.”

  Mom’s lip quirked at the edge, the light in her eye sparking. “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”

  “It was a one-time thing, so enjoy it while you can,” she joked.

  “I have to be honest, I thought you’d tell me I couldn’t change, and this was only temporary.”

  “Is it?” Harper asked.

  “No.” It was one word, but the oomph behind it reassured Harper that Mom meant it this time.

  “Milo told me to give you chance, but I’ll admit when I got here and you weren’t around, I assumed—”

  “I fell off the wagon?”

  Harper nodded.

  “Geez, don’t give me any credit.”

  “Can you blame me?”

  “No, I can’t.”

  “Just promise me,” Harper said, “you’ll fight this time. You will do everything you have to, to be the strong woman I know that you can be.”

  “I’m trying. I want to reassure you, but I can only focus on one day at a time. So, for today, I promise. I’ll fight.”

  “I guess for today that’s going to have to be good enough.” Harper lifted her bag on her shoulder and stood. “I was going to ask Tom if he wanted to go to Aunt Greta’s for lunch.”

  Tom turned from his game. “Can I get waffle fries?”

  “Of course you can. Mom, do you want to come? My treat.”

  “I can pay for myself.”

  Harper shook her head. “I’m inviting you. You can pay next time.”

  “Let me go grab my purse.” Her voice lilted with excitement and Harper forced down the overwhelming emotion that tried to force its way to the surface.

  For years, she’d wanted this. Years, she’d begged Mom to get sober. She had her days, but there were always the underlying signs that made Harper lose hope for good. Little by little her hope was renewing. She wished Milo were here to witness this. He would have made a joke about being the ref and getting a day off. She smiled thinking about it.

  “How’s Milo?” Mom asked as she came back into the living room as if she was reading Harper’s mind.

  Harper shrugged. “He says he’s fine, but I don’t know. He doesn’t seem…fine.”

  “Then he’s probably not.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I’m not saying I know him better than you do, but Milo has a tendency to hide from any emotion, especially if he’s afraid of hurting you.”

  He was the one held at gunpoint, why would he be afraid of hurting her? That made no sense. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Is it? When he got hit by that car, he always put a happy face on for you. He didn’t want you to worry.”

  “How do you even know that?” She’d only visited Milo in the hospital once as far as she knew, and Milo had still been whacked up on drugs. He couldn’t even form a coherent sentence.

  “Sweetie, that boy has been in love with you for as long as I can remember. Even a drunken mess, I could see it. Just keep an eye on him. This time, he needs you.”

  Chapter 23

  Sweat prickled down his spine. Ice cold fear flowed through his veins, freezing his muscles and limbs. A lump formed in his throat, and he couldn’t speak. The gun pressed harder into his skin, pushing against the tendons in his neck.

  Please, whatever you want. Just take it. The words echoed in his head, but no matter how hard he tried to force them out he couldn’t; they were stuck like fish in a frozen pond.

  He couldn’t sit here and allow this dangerous man in his town. He had to do something. What if he got out of the car and went onto Main Street and found Mr. Anderson getting in his car, or the Greenes making their nightly run in their golf cart? What if he came across Harper walking between the alley of The Book Nook and Pie in the Sky?

  Anger tightened his jaw, and he leapt toward the assailant. He grabbed his wrist and struggled, forcing his arm away, but the guy was too strong. He fought back, overtaking Milo little by little. The gun dug into his stomach. A loud bang echoed in his ears; he screamed and jolted awake.

  His breath came in short gasps as the dream faded into reality. He sucked in air as he tried to ground himself in the now. He ran a hand over his damp hair. Sweat dripped down his forehead and into his eye. A sharp sting forced his eye shut.

  The bedroom door flew open, and Harper and Jasper ran in.

  “Are you okay?” Harper asked.

  “I heard a scream,” Jasper said.

  “Me too,” Harper concurred.

  He opened his eye despite the sting and focused on Harper and Jasper. “I’m fine.”

  “Why did you scream? Were you having a nightmare?” Harper moved into the room. “It’s perfectly normal to have nightmares after what you went through.”

  He didn’t want to admit that his dreams had become a playground for his fears and weaknesses. She didn’t need to know he was a coward.

  “I’m fine,” he said.

  “Mi, you don’t have to put on an act for us,” Harper said, and he shook his head. She could never leave things well enough alone. He glanced at Jasper, hoping he’d be the voice of reason.

  “If you’re fine, I’m going to head to bed. I have to be up early tomorrow.”

  Milo saluted him and watched as he walked away from the doorway. He hoped Harper would follow, but no such luck. She sat down on the bed beside him and took his hand in hers.

  “I’m worried,” she said. “Ever since that night, you seem… off. I mean you put on a good act. I doubt anybody else notices, but I know you better than anyone. You can’t just pretend like it didn’t happen.”

  “I’m sorry if I don’t want to talk about it like the fucking weather.” He closed his eyes as soon as the words were out, guilt eating away at his gut. She was only trying to help.

  “I’m not asking you to. We don’t talk about the fucking weather ever. I’m asking you to let me in, to tell me what you’re going through.”

  “Why, so you can try to fix me? Make me one more person you resent?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your mother. Tom.”

  “I do not resent my brother, and you damn well know it. You better take that back.”

  “You love him, everyone knows that. But don’t sit here and act like you don’t use him as your reason for not going to college, for not pursuing your dreams. He’s your brother, but you use him as a crutch.”

  “I hate you!”

  “Probably better that way.”

  “You’re probably right. I don’t know who you are right now, but you’re not my Milo.”

  “Don’t you get it? I was never your Milo to begin with. You used me to fill a void.”

  “In the beginning, yes! But you know damn well that all changed after our first night together. It wasn’t just sex. It was special. Deny it all you want, but you’d be lying to me and yourself. I don’t know what you’re going through. You won’t talk to me, won’t let me in.”

  His hands thrust through his hair. “I won’t talk to you because I don’t know what the hell I’m feeling! My life was going great, and next thing I know I have a gun shoved into my neck, and my fucking life flashed before my eyes. And you want to know what I saw in those moments? I saw you.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes, every version of you from that day in first grade when I first laid eyes on you until now. I realized that my entire life has been epically better because I met you. And I don’t want to hold you back. You have always wanted to leave this town, and I keep thinking if you meet some else maybe he can take you away, give you the life you’ve always wanted. And maybe you were right. Maybe it would be the push your mom needs to get her life back on track. You’ll never know if I stick around and keep you from s
eeing what else is out there.”

  She stepped closer to him, lifting her hand to his cheek and cupping his jaw. “I’ve seen what else is out there, and in the end, I always come home to you. It’s like the whole time the universe was trying to tell me that I didn’t need to be searching; everything I have ever wanted was waiting for me at home.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I’m in love with you, and I think I have been for a really long time. I was just too stubborn to see it.”

  “You, stubborn?”

  She shoved his shoulder. “I’m trying to make a speech here.”

  He held his hands up in defense. “Sorry, continue. You’re in love with me.”

  She nodded. “I am, so if you’re okay with a girl who doesn’t have it quite together, has a mom who makes life difficult, and friends who will kick your ass if you ever hurt me, I don’t want to sneak around anymore. Even though I’m sure everyone knows anyway. We weren’t exactly discreet and we live in the land of gossip, but still, I want them to know that I’m in love with my best friend.” He smiled, and her eyes locked on his. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

  “I didn’t want to interrupt your speech. Are you done?”

  “Yes, I’m done smartass.”

  “Good because I’m in love with you too.” He grabbed her face and pulled her lips to his, savoring the sweetness that was his Harper. He pulled back, resting his head against hers. “It’s always been you, Harp. Always.”

  She tilted her head and kissed him. Pain radiated up his head, and he groaned as he ripped his lips from Harper and spun. Jasper stood there, a massive smile on his face. Milo rubbed at his head. “What the hell?”

  “You told me to.”

  Harper’s hazels eyes narrowed.

  Jasper pointed a half-eaten banana at Milo. “He told me if I caught him googly eyeing you or the likes to whack him upside the head. I was walking back to my room and saw duty called.”

  Harper laughed. “You really told Jasper to smack you?”

  “Drastic times call for drastic measures.” He flashed her a smile before turning to Jasper. “You are officially relieved of your duties, and I thank you for your service.”

  “Does that mean no more googly eyes?”

  “No, it means that I’m going to be doing a lot more of it, and I don’t want to lose any more brain cells.” He stepped toward Harper, snaking his arm around her waist and yanking her toward him. “Because like I just told Harper, I’m in love with my best friend and I’m ready for the world to know.”

  A laugh slipped from her mouth.

  “Anybody with eyes and ears already knew. Now if you’ll just admit that you’re in love with him we can all move on with our lives.”

  Harper looked into his eyes, the beautiful hazel orbs that grounded him, warmed him, and felt like home.

  “I already did privately, but if we’re going public. I love you. I do. And maybe I always have too, but now I know and—” His lips cut her off. He’d heard enough. She loved him and that was all that mattered.

  “It’s about damn time,” Jasper said. “Now don’t mess this up. I don’t need to be out a roommate.”

  Without taking his lips off Harper, he shoved Jasper out the door and kicked it closed.

  “I see how it is.” Jasper’s voice echoed outside the door, and Harper laughed against Milo’s mouth.

  “I think Jasp feels left out.”

  “Too damn bad,” Milo growled before scooping her up into his arms and placing her on the bed. He put his knee in between her legs and hovered over her.

  She reached up cupping his cheek, her thumb rubbing along the stubble on his jaw. “I know we just had a moment, and we’re probably going to have amazing sex, but before we do, how are you doing? And don’t lie to me.”

  He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead to hers. He tried so hard to protect her, but maybe what he really needed was to give her more credit. She was stronger than anyone he knew, and it was time he leaned on her. “Truthfully? Not good. But I will be okay.”

  “I hope so, but how do you know that for sure?”

  “Because I know you’ll help me figure it out.”

  “Always.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Now can we get back to the amazing sex part?”

  She grabbed his face and pulled his lips to hers, answering him with a searing kiss, and it was the only answer he needed.

  Chapter 24

  After his meeting with his therapist, who was helping him with the nightmares and coping with the fear that had been clinging to him, Milo brought Tom to buy the game he’d been saving for. Tom couldn’t get home fast enough. With a quick thank you, Tom ran into the house, and Milo met up with Harper to help her deliver the boxes of glasses to Sofia’s graduation party.

  Maria was so thrilled with how they turned out, she grabbed a glass from the box and ran to her husband to show it off. Antonio nodded his approval and flashed Harper a smile. “These look great. You captured my daughter’s beauty.” A tear filled his eye, and he ran off to the house, muttering something about getting more ice.

  Maria swatted her hand in his direction. “Don’t mind him. He’s all upset his baby is growing up.” Harper’s heart clenched. She wondered if Sofia realized how lucky she was. Harper’s dad didn’t even stick around for her middle school graduation, let alone high school.

  Milo’s hand slipped into hers as if he knew exactly where her mind had wandered off. He squeezed gently and stroked her knuckles with his thumb. The ache in her heart eased. She didn’t need her dad. She’d done just fine without him. She had a mom who was a work in progress, the best of friends, a brother she adored, and a man who’d been at her side every step of the way.

  How she hadn’t seen it before boggled her mind yet made perfect sense. She and Milo had needed each other all these years, but a relationship would have complicated the purity of what they had. They didn’t need complications; they needed each other, and that’s exactly what they had. Now that they were older, stronger, more mature, and ready for the complications a relationship could throw their way. They’d survived hell and now officially together, they would survive anything.

  “It’s a beautiful day for a party.” Harper glanced at the cloudless sky. It was a warm eighty-two, but the humidity was low. With all the umbrellas set up across Maria and Antonio’s backyard, no one would be uncomfortable in the heat.

  “We lucked out,” Maria said. “The beginning of the week they were predicting rain.”

  “They never get it right,” Harper said.

  “Have a great day and tell Sofia congratulations for us. Someone has a lease to go sign.” Milo’s smile beamed as he turned toward her. She still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to let him pay the rent on the building until she was on her feet. But after Mrs. Garrick’s death, Harper realized life was short, and if she waited for the right time, she’d be waiting for the rest of her life.

  She was ready to start taking the front seat on the highway of life, and with Milo’s financial backing, she was already in the fast lane, driving toward her dreams. And how lucky was she that Milo was right beside her?

  Her jokester best friend, the man who’d seen her at her very worst and still loved her anyway, truly was her soulmate. She’d been lucky in a lot of things, but none of that mattered to her anymore. Those obstacles only made her appreciate this man that much more.

  She was in love with her best friend, and she couldn’t imagine a better happy ending.

  Epilogue

  Nolan’s name flashed on the screen, and Milo slipped his phone out. He hadn’t talked to his friend in a couple weeks, and they were in need of some catching up. Maria had shown her sister-in-law the glasses and she had some pricing questions for Harper. He had time to take a quick call.

  He answered. “Hey dude. What’s going on?”

  “I’m coming home,” he said, and Milo’s eyebrow quirked.

  “To Morgan’s
Bay?” Nolan hadn’t even as much as visited since he and Isla had broken up. Nolan had said there was nothing left for him in their town anymore.

  “That’s my only home.”

  “No, you have a home in Washington. You haven’t been in town in years. What about your job?” His job was why he’d left in the first place.

  “It’s a long story.” Nolan had an amazing job working at a hedge fund that was on the cutting edge of technology. “I’ll be there next week. Let’s grab a burger at McConnell’s, and I’ll tell you all about the shitstorm that is my life.”

  “Yeah sure. You staying at your parents’ place?”

  “Yup. The last tenants moved out a few weeks ago, and they haven’t gotten anyone new to take the place, so I swooped in.”

  Oh boy. His parents’ house just so happened to be the house next door to Isla’s grandma’s house—the same house Isla just inherited… There was no way in hell Milo was going to break it to Isla or to Nolan. He was just going to keep this information to himself and see how things played out.

  “So, uh, how’s Isla doing?” Nolan asked, and Milo could hear the longing in his friend’s voice.

  “She’s doing all right, considering.”

  “Thanks for letting me know about Mrs. Garrick. I would’ve come to the funeral, but I got tied up with things here and couldn’t leave.”

  “It’s all good. I hate to say it, but it was probably for the best.” Isla and Nolan didn’t exactly end on good terms. Reuniting at Isla’s grandmother’s funeral would have been a terrible idea.

  “You’re probably right.” There was a loud thump on the other end of the phone. “Hey, I got to go. I’ll call you when I get in town.”

  “Sounds good,” Milo said and hung up the call.

  Harper came out of the house, and he shoved his phone in his pocket.

  “Who was that?” she asked.

  “No one.” He tried to keep his face and neutral as possible, but he could feel his cheeks straining, and his gaze shifted to the ground.

  Harper’s eyebrows pulled down, and she poked him in the chest. “Why are you lying?” Her hazel eyes narrowed in on him.