Page 24 of New Year's Renovations

15

Jackson

Well, that was some shit. After all this, Harper was going back to Boston, her old job, and her old boyfriend. I’d meant nothing to her. I’d been about to give her the good news about the reality show opportunity and thenbam! Mr. Wonderful Ex-Boyfriend calls out of the blue and she vanishes.

Probably for the best. I knew I shouldn’t date again. Nothing good ever came of it. Glad I didn’t give Logan my cactus yet.

Derek poked his head out from under the sink cabinet. “Hey boss, we need more wood screws for the cabinet. You got any in the truck?”

“I dunno, let me go check.”

I was standing at my truck, rifling through my toolbox, when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Hey.”

I recognized the soft voice even before I turned around, every muscle in my body tightening at the sound.Calm down. She probably just forgot something.

I looked back over my shoulder, trying to play it cool. “Hey. Forget something?”

“It depends. Can we talk?”

I hesitated, debating. “I guess. Give me a minute.”

Harper stood behind me for a solid five minutes, hardly moving a muscle. She must really want to talk. A bunch of screw jokes raced through my mind, but I couldn’t even be funny; I was too pissed off and hurt.

“Got ‘em. I have to give these to Derek.”

“Okay.”

Harper trailed behind me into the house, following me into the kitchen. I handed Derek the screws, then nodded at the back garden. She took the cue and went out. A few minutes later, I stepped out into the cold to join her.

She stood at the edge of the deck, gazing out through the barren trees, just a hint of ice on the branches. Her breath misted in the air, her cheeks rosy from the cold, and my heart softened a teensy bit. Harper was beautiful.

What the hell am I doing, letting her just walk away? I should at least find out why.

“Harp—”

“Jacks—”

“Ladies first,” I said, shoving my hands deep in my jacket pockets to keep from touching her. Physical contact was the last thing I needed if I had to let her go. My heart couldn’t take much more.

“Jackson, I’m sorry about this afternoon. I didn’t mean to say there’s nothing for me here. That came out all wrong and I’m really, really sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

She stepped towards me and I didn’t back away, but I still didn’t initiate contact.

“Sorry I overreacted,” I said, my cheeks burning at the admission. “I can see what you meant. And there’s not much going on to keep someone like you here.” I swallowed hard over the huge lump in my throat.

“What do you mean, someone like me?” Her eyes lit up with anger and she jutted out her chin.

“Not in a bad way, Harper. You’re amazing. Starlight Bay is probably too small of a pond for you. I felt that way for a long time, too, until I came back. It has its charms, but I understand. It’s not Boston.”

“Jackson, I don’t care about Boston or any other big city for that matter. I love it here.” She paused, gazing up at me, her eyes wide. “I love you. That’s what I came back to tell you. And you might not feel the same way and that’s fine, I under…”

I stopped her, pressing my lips to hers, swallowing her words.

“I love you, too, Harper,” I murmured, nuzzling her nose, touching my forehead to hers.

“I’m sorry I acted like a jackass this afternoon. When you said you were offered your old job back, I thought you wanted your old life back, your ex. I should have let you explain. I hate excuses, usually I’m not that kind of guy…” I swallowed hard over the lump in my throat, but pressed on.

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