Page 9 of Secret of His Soulmate

What? Does she think I’m gonna let her do this on her own? “I’ll be here, but I was going to ask if you wanted me to call a moving company to come help pack up the stuff that needs to be stored. We need to clear out everything.”

“Everything?”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but yeah. Most of the house will need to be gutted. The living room, your office, and the bedroom will have to be completely cleared out.”

“Okay, I’ll call Daphne and Bridget to see if they can come help.”

“My brothers and Scarlett can probably come too if you don’t mind them helping.” It’s like she’s trying to push me out, but even if whatever happened this morning never happens again, she’s my best friend. I won’t let that change.

“Sure, um, I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll be here.”

We hang up and I sit on the bed of my truck. I hate that this has happened to Harper, but maybe it’s a blessing in disguise and we can find our way to a new phase in our relationship because of it. I send a quick text to Wilder, Knox, and Hunter asking if they can help clear out Harper's house. Wilder andHunter are both available, but Knox and Scarlett have an appointment. If we still need help later they will swing by. One of the best things about being a St. James is that we are always there for each other.

Chapter 9

Harper

Gutted?My house needs to be gutted. I was almost there, but I pulled over when Miles called. I don’t know why I thought I could just get him to leave and not help. I’m obviously not really thinking things through today.

After he left his house, I called two of my other friends, Bridget and Daphne, to see if I could stay with one of them or if they knew of somewhere I could stay while my house was being renovated. They both said I could stay with them, but if my house is being gutted it’s going to be months. I can’t impose on anyone for that long.

My fear of staying with Miles isn’t because I think he will be inappropriate or push for something I don’t want. I’m afraid because I don’t know how I will keep my hands off him. Just thinking about this morning makes me want to be back in his arms and see what happens next. But history has taught me that romantic love is fleeting, and I can’t lose him.

I text my book club group chat and ask if they can help me pack up my house. All four quickly agree to come over. You know your friends are the real deal if they will drop everything they are doing to help you pack up your soaking wet house.

Daphne is on my way, so I offer to pick her up. Not to avoid finding myself alone with Miles and having to talk to him about this morning. I’m just being nice because she’s doing me a favor.

I pull up in front of her house and she climbs into the passenger seat. “I know what you’re doing and I’m only letting you get away with it because you’ve had a stressful twenty-four hours.”

I try to play innocent, but I’ve never been good at it. “No idea what you mean.”

“Uh, huh. Did you decide if you wanna stay at my place?” she asks rather slyly.

“I don’t know. It’s going to take a long time for my house to be renovated and I don’t want to interrupt anyone’s life for that long. I might see about a rental. I bet that I could get a three-month lease or something. Everyone seems to forget that I work from home. I hardly ever leave. No one wants to spend that much time with me.”

“Miles does.”

“Shut up.”

Daphne laughs as we pull up to my house. We park the car and before I can get the keys out of the ignition, Miles is there opening my door.

“Hey, Harps.”

I jump at his voice. “You scared the shit out of me, Miles.”

“Sorry.” He reaches in to help me out of the car and like a glutton for punishment, I let him. I start to fall right back into his arms, but a forced cough from the other side of the car stops me in my tracks.

“Hi, Daphne,” Miles grunts. He’s usually very friendly to everyone, but I think he recognizes her for what she is right now. A shield.

“Hey, Miles, having a good day?”

I roll my eyes at her. He’s gonna know that I’ve talked to everyone about what happened between us and want to know what I’ve said.

“Parts of it have been amazing, but I hate that Harper’s house is in such bad shape.”

Daphne has the shame to look at least a little guilty for goading Miles. “Yeah, I am sick that Harper is going through all this with her house. It sucks. I told her she could come stay with me and I know several of the other book club girlies told her the same thing.”

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