Page 3 of Secret of His Soulmate

“Oh, really?” Wilder, and the rest of my family, know how I feel about Harper. There was no way to hide it when I first came home from school talking about her non-stop. My brothers have, at different times, told me to just kiss her and confess my feelings. They are all convinced that she feels something forme too. I’m not willing to risk our friendship on a hunch my brothers have.

“Yes, she says it’s just for tonight and then she’s gonna get a hotel room or something, but there’s no way I’m going to let her waste money when I have a guest room.”

“Clara’s house is empty. She wouldn’t mind if Harper stayed there while her house is being renovated. She loves Harper like a sister.” There’s a scuffle on the other end of the phone and my sister-in-law, Ivy, takes Wilder’s place.

Ivy says, “Absolutely not. Harper needs to stay with you.”

“She does?” I know it’s what I want, but I never would’ve guessed that Ivy would have such a strong opinion.

“Miles, you know that I love you and I know you aren’t a stupid man.”

“Thank you? I love you too.”

“How long do you think it will take you to fix Harper’s house?” Ivy asks.

“I don’t know, but I imagine at least a month. I’ll know better once we get the water out and see just how bad the damage is to the walls.”

“Okay, so you could have Harper in your house —alone— every night for a month. Doing things like a couple and being in each other’s space.”

I know what she means, and it sounds amazing, but I would never want to make Harper uncomfortable.

“I’ve had the exact same thoughts, Ivy, but Harper and I are just friends and that’s the way it’s going to be. If it was going to be more, it would have happened by now.”

“Miles, please don’t give up hope,” Ivy begs.

“I’m not giving up anything, Ivy. Besides my family, Harper is the most important person in my life and that will never change.” The two trucks with the crew and equipment drive up, saving me from more of this conversation. “The guys are here.Tell Wilder I’ll call him when I know more about the actual damage.”

“Okay, you know I’m only meddling because I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy, Ivy. Now, go give my niece a hug from her favorite uncle.”

We hang up and I help the guys unload the trucks. The whole time I think about what Ivy said. Am I happy? I said yes, but I didn’t mean it. I’m not sad or depressed, but more resigned. I’ve watched Wilder, Knox, and now Clara fall in love and I’m jealous. I want that, but only with one woman.

Could something happen between us if we are together for a month? I wouldn’t need that long to know that she’s my one —I’m already there— but could Harper change her mind about me? Should I even try, or would it destroy our friendship forever?

Chapter 3

Harper

It’s beenhours since I left Miles at my house. I want to know what’s happening, but I don’t want to call and bother him. I’m sure he would call if they found something terrible that I needed to know about.

Just as I think about checking my phone again, it rings. A quick glance shows that it’s not Miles, but my other best friend, Gillian.

“Hey, G.”

“Oh my gosh! I just heard about your house. Are you okay? Is Titan okay? Do you need anything? Do you need to stay with Archer and me?”

“Slow down and take a breath. You would think you were the one with the house underwater,” I laugh. “Titan and I are fine, and we don’t need anything. I don’t need to stay with you, but thank you for the offer. You and Archer make out too much for me to be around for any kind of extended period. That man can’t keep his hands off you.”

Gillian sighs, “No, he can’t. It’s amazing.”

“I wouldn’t know,” I mumble under my breath. I’m so happy for Gillian, but also insanely jealous. Everyone seems to be pairing off and I’m by myself.

“So, where are you staying?”

“Um, I’m at Miles's house tonight. He rescued me when I couldn’t figure out how to turn off the water and he’s still at the house working with the crew. He didn’t want me to deal with any of it until they knew the true damage. You know how I get with the unknown.”

“I do. I also know how your feelings toward a certain sexy builder may have taken a turn. Are you gonna climb him like a tree? I mean, you would have to cause he’s so flipping tall.” Gillian laughs at her joke.

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