Page 141 of Untouchable

* * *

Harp is aboutto tease Parker about whether or not he knows a lot about plumbing solutions but he can see that it's completely escaped Parker that none of this is a problem for Harp. Parker's visibly upset and all Harp can do is smile. He's simply relieved that all of Parker's surprises sound like the kind of thing he can handle—most of all helping out at an animal shelter.

He puts his hands on Parker's shoulders, seriously.

"Whatever you need to do. I'll go with you. I really don't mind. Where's the animal shelter?"

Parker’s brow furrows.

“Are you sure? I know it’s like, a pain in the ass—I promise I’ll be super quick, and then we can, like, do something fun—I’m sorry it all got so—”

And then Parker is cut off when Harp leans forward to kiss him, cupping his large hand around the back of Parker’s head and pulling him against the solid warmth of his body. Parker makes a shocked little noise but immediately melts against Harp.

Harp breaks the kiss, but he’s still holding Parker to him.

“Stop apologizing,” he says gently.

“It’s just—” Parker stammers. “Are you sure—”

"Going to do a chore at an animal shelter is kind of my wheelhouse," Harp admits. "I don't think you could've planned a better date tailor made for me if you wanted."

* * *

Parker starts laughing,from relief and hysteria, and he lays his head against Harp’s chest, wrapping his arms around Harp’s waist to squeeze him tight. As soon as Harp says it, Parker realizes that of course he’s right. In fact, he can’t think of a better person for the job. He’d gotten so wrapped up in the change of plans he hadn’t been able to see how perfect this would be for Harp. Even still, it’s hard to fight the urge to apologize again and again.

“Okay,” he breathes, trying to center himself. “Thank you. Let’s, um—we can take one car, I guess—it’s on Quigley, but like, way out past that one dealership with the dinosaur on the roof.”

Harp offers his truck and Parker follows him out to the parking lot and gets in. As they drive, Parker explains more about where they're going. Haven Home is more like a farm than an animal shelter, he says, and although he's only been there a few times, Mindy goes several times each week to volunteer.

Parker directs them down dirt roads until they pull up to a big gate. Parker hops out to open it.

There are animals everywhere—mostly pigs, but there are cats and dogs, a goat, and several big turkeys that quickly shuffle away as Harp drives inside. Across the muddy drive, there are several big barns and outbuildings. Parker hops back into the car.

"Do the animals usually just... wander around like this?" Harp asks.

Parker shrugs. "Pretty much. Older animals or special needs ones get their own spaces, but if they can hang out, I guess they do? Shit, there's Mindy."

Parker points, as if Harp could possibly miss Mindy as she struts out of the larger of the two barns in knee-high, neon pink rubber boots.

“Oh my god, thank you so much,” Mindy says when she spots Parker. She glances over at Harp, raising one carefully plucked eyebrow. “Oh, hello, Harp. I didn’t realize you’d be joining us as well.”

Parker shoots a dirty look at Mindy that Harp can’t see. Mindy’s still suspicious of Harp, and while Parker appreciates his friend trying to protect him, it’d be nice if she wasn’t a complete asshole to his new boyfriend.

“Harp’s gonna help today, too,” he says. “And we can stay longer, too, if you need—” He glances back at Harp, and Harp nods reassuringly. “So… yeah. Harp’s really good with… fixing stuff and with animals and I… well, I at least have a good attitude so show us what you need us to do.”

* * *

Harp leansacross the center console. Mindy puts the fear of God in him but maybe this'll be a chance to get on her good side again.

"Parker said there's a plumbing problem somewhere around here? Anyone tending to that yet?"

"Tiffany in the office is trying to find someone willing to come out on short notice who won't charge an arm and a leg," Mindy says cautiously. "We turned off the water an hour ago but it's still a mess. Mandy is working on it, though. You and Parker can just help with—"

"I can take a crack at the plumbing if anyone around here has a set of wrenches and some pliers," Harp offers.

Mindy frowns. "I said Mandy’s already working. But you can help her."

She shows them where to park and Harp does so carefully, dodging several hogs who are none too happy about having to get out of his way.

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