Page 24 of Vineyard Dreams

Elle’s gaze lingered on Harper for a beat, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, with a small nod, she turned and walked out the door. The sound of her truck starting up echoed in the sudden silence.

Harper wanted to run after her, explain, apologize, anything to erase the hurt she’d seen in Elle’s eyes, but she couldn’t. Not with Caroline still here.

“You moved on quickly,” Caroline said, her voice laced with amusement, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched. “Still chasing after older women, I see.”

“Don’t.” Harper’s voice came out sharper than intended. “You don’t get to comment on my life anymore.”

Caroline’s smile faltered. “Come on, Harper. We both know you’re just hiding out here. This isn’t you - playing farmer in the middle of nowhere?”

“You never did understand me.” Harper moved toward the door, holding it open. “It’s late, and you should go.”

“I’ll go but I’m leaving you with this. You need to read this.” Caroline pulled a thick script from her designer bag. “It’s brilliant. The kind of role that could make history.”

“I said no.” Harper’s grip tightened on the door handle. “I’m not interested in any scripts right now, especially not one with you.”

Caroline placed the script on the small table by the door. “Read it, Harper. For me? Please?” Her voice softened, a familiar tactic that used to make Harper’s heart melt. Now, it just tightened her resolve.

“No.” Harper’s voice was firm. “It’s not happening.” She opened the door.

Caroline sighed dramatically, then turned toward the door. “Fine. Have it your way. But don’t come crying to me when you’re bored out of your mind picking grapes.” She paused at the threshold, glancing back. “Although, I might be persuaded to rescue you. Think about it, Harper. This quiet life… it’s not you.”

The door clicked shut, leaving Harper alone with the silence and the unwanted script. She leaned against the door, closing her eyes.

She pushed off the door and walked back to the kitchen. Harper picked up her phone, staring at Elle’s name. She started to type a message, then deleted it. What could she say?Sorry my glamorous ex showed up and ruined everything?It sounded pathetic, even to her own ears. She set the phone down.

This was not how tonight was supposed to go.

16

Elle’s hands shook as she unlocked her front door. The image of Caroline Ashford’s perfectly styled blonde hair and designer outfit burned in her mind. She kicked off her shoes and dropped onto her couch, pulling her phone from her pocket.

Her fingers moved across the screen, searching Harper’s name alongside Caroline Ashford’s. Article after article popped up, most from last year. Photos of Harper and Caroline at red carpet events, holding hands, sharing intimate dinners.

“Fifty-one.” Elle stared at Caroline’s age listed in her bio. Her chest tightened. All those times she’d worried about the sixteen-year gap between her and Harper seemed ridiculous now.

Elle clicked on another photo - Caroline and Harper at the premiere forLena,Caroline’s arm wrapped possessively around Harper’s waist.

A sharp knock on her front door startled Elle. Setting her phone aside, she crossed the room.

Elle opened the door to find Harper standing there, her eyes searching Elle’s face.

“Hey,” Harper’s voice was soft, hesitant. “Is it too late? Can I come in?”

Elle stepped back, holding the door open wider. “Sure.”

Harper slipped inside, the silence broken only by the click of the latch as Elle closed the door behind her.

“I’m so sorry about that,” Harper said, her gaze fixed on the floor. “She just... showed up.”

Elle watched her, a knot tightening in her stomach. “She drove all the way from Los Angeles?”

Harper nodded, her eyes finally meeting Elle’s. “Yeah. She had a script she wanted me to see.”

“She mentioned wanting to talk to you. Aboutus.” Elle watched Harper’s reaction, bracing herself. “If you’re getting back together with her,” she said, the words catching in her throat. “I’d understand.”

“Elle, stop.” Harper reached out, her hand warm against Elle’s arm. “That’s not… that’s not what this is about.”

Elle pulled away, wrapping her arms around herself. “Then what is it about, Harper? She shows up out of the blue, after all this time… She wants you back,” Elle pressed, unable to shake the image of Caroline’s confident smile. “She wants you to go back to Hollywood with her.”

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