Page 114 of Forbidden Harmony

“It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Okay, so your body has definitely been invadedby an alien who is now controlling your every move. Addie, if you can hear me,hang tight. I’ll be there in seventeen hours with a team of scientists to saveyour life.”

“You’re being weird, Harper,” Addison said.

“Pinky-pie, you refused to poop if Harrisonwas within a two-mile radius of you the first five years you dated him. Now,you’re practically living with Preacher in his apartment that’s even smallerthan this crackhole I’m living in, and you’re pooping all willy-nilly like itain’t no thing. Don’t act like I’m being the crazy one.”

“There’s a fan in the bathroom,” Addisonsaid.

Harper laughed until tears ran down her cheeksand she had to hold onto her stomach with one hand. “Oh my God, Addie, I loveyou so much.”

“Have you found another job yet?” Addiesaid.

“No but stop changing the subject. Are youand Preacher dating?”

“Of course not,” she said. “Why would youthink that?”

“You’re pooping in -”

“Oh my God, enough with the pooping,”Addison said. “We’re not dating. He’s just being nice. Preacher has a sweetside to him, okay?”

“Okay, but, Addie, just remember that -”

She could hear Preacher’s footsteps on the stairs,and she said, “Harper, I have to go. Preacher’s on his way up. I love you.”

“Love you too. Text me later.”

She ended the call and smiled at Preacher whenhe walked in with a basket of clothes. “Hi. That didn’t take long.”

He set the basket of clean clothes on thebed. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” she said.

“Good. You ready?” He glanced at thewatch on his wrist.

“Ready for what?” she said.

“To go home.”

Dismay mixed with a healthy dose of embarrassmentmade her face red. “Right, of course. Yes, I’m good.”

She slid out of his bed and grabbed herclothes that were sitting on top of his clothes in the basket. “Thank you forwashing my clothes.”

“No problem.” He had grabbed his phone andwas scrolling through it.

She hurried into the bathroom and quicklygot dressed. Her stomach was churning, and she couldn’t believe how stupid shewas being. She should be grateful that Preacher let her stay this long, not beupset and close to tears that he was kicking her out. He had done more thanenough for her over the last two days and she would plaster a smile on her faceand make sure he knew how grateful she was for his help.

Blowing him would be a nice thank yougesture.

She gathered up her toiletries. Yeah, itwould be, but even though she was feeling better, she still had her period and shereally wasn’t up for sex tonight anyway. Hopefully by the weekend, she’d be overher cold and she would invite him over to say thanks.

If he’s still interested in giving youlessons. Maybe this is it for you. Did you think of that? He said you would wantmore, and it looks like he was right. He’s come to his senses and is ending itbefore you really do start believing you guys are a couple or something.

Being upset that he was ending it was probablya good indication that it was time to end it. This thing between them alwayshad an expiry date. That expiry date had been moved up and she had no one to blamebut herself. She should have just gone home Friday night instead of staying withhim all weekend.

She took a deep breath and arranged herface into a semblance of a smile. She joined Preacher by the bed and dumpedher toiletries into her bag. She stuffed his shirt she’d been wearing into thebag as well. “I’ll wash this and return it to you.”

“Sure.” He had a scuffed and worn leathernewsletter bag crossed over his chest and he tugged absently on the long strap.

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