Page 50 of Jump Start

“I guess it’s not long, no. I just got carried away. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I do about you.”

His honesty always sprung up in the most unlikely situations. How could checking the mailbox seem like such a romantic moment all of a sudden?

“You know I love you, right? I’m not saying no, just not right now.”

He stopped the car halfway up his driveway and turned to face me as best he could.

“I love you too, Harps. Sorry if I pressured you, I didn’t mean to. Just started to think of having you beside me every night.”

“You got greedy,” I said with a wink.

“Can you blame me though?” he laughed.

I shook my head. “Not really. I am quite the catch.”

Twenty-five

Thomas

This weekend, I was taking Harper to meet my family. I didn’t care what my parents thought of her, I loved her and that was all that mattered. I cared more about what Harper would think. I had brought a few girlfriends home in the past, but I realised they were only there for the ‘status’ that came with being with my family, or whatever ulterior motive they had in mind.

I knew for sure that Harper couldn’t give two shits what my family did, and she wasn’t the biggest fan of the horse racing industry to begin with. I didn’t blame her. I hoped that maybe if she saw how well my family’s horses were looked after, then maybe she would see that there were some cruelty-free studs out there.

My thoughts were interrupted by my brother calling. I answered with a smile.

“Well, personally, I can’t wait to meet your girl. Maybe she’ll realise she chose the wrong brother and go for me instead?” Xavier asked in between coughs of laughter.

“Or maybe she will realise that she made the right choice,” I replied seriously. His joke had hit a nerve.

“Not bloody likely.”

“In all seriousness, little bro, I am looking forward to seeingyou. It’s been too long. Like a year, right?” Xavier asked.

I tried to think back to when I had seen him last. I reckon it was the season-opening last year in Darwin.

“Yeah, Darwin, last year. Almost a year and a half ago, mate.”

That was too long in between drinks as far as my brother and I were concerned.

I tried to see him when I could, but he was rather inflexible, his own building business keeping him firmly planted on Melbourne soil.

“Well, I’ll see you Sunday, mate. I’ll be the buffer if Mum or Dad get too intense.”

It was impossible not to warm up to Harper. With her long blonde hair, gorgeous smile, and welcoming personality. What was there not to love?

***

I arrived at Echidna and was greeted by Harper, who’d just pulled up by herself. She had gone back to her apartment in the city and was grumbling about the hour-long drive she’d just endured to get to the office.

“Okay, I hate the commute already.” Of course, it was morning, so unhappy Harper was present.

“You better put your smile on before you reach the inside of the building,” I said with a smirk, trying not to irk her even further.

She smiled a little too enthusiastically at me.

“Perfect, that won’t scare anyone.”

We walked into the office together and greeted everyone as wemade our way through the building.

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