Page 155 of Forbidden Harmony

“It isn’t too late,” Belinda said. “Youcan fix this. One of Addie’s most admirable qualities is her forgiving nature.Isn’t it, honey?”

“Yes,” Clark said. “Our girl is veryforgiving.”

Preacher stared at Addison’s parents. Theweight on his chest that appeared the minute Addison walked out the door of theshop, lifted the tiniest bit. “You sure you want me in your daughter’s life?”

“Positive,” Belinda said. “Now, haveanother cookie, dear. There’s plenty.”

* * *

“Oh, Harper,” Addie said. “I’m so sorry.”

Harper shrugged before tossing another shirtinto the suitcase. She adjusted her phone screen so it was pointed more towardher face. “It’s no big deal. Moving to New York and making it as an artist reallywas a long shot, right?”

“Are you sure you want to come home though.I mean, it’s only been a year.”

“I’m sure,” Harper said. “It isn’t justbeing a failure, you know? I’m really worried about Dad. He told me on Thursdaythat he’s selling the clinic to this Dr. Henshaw. They’re having the paperworkdrawn up. I couldn’t talk him out of it, pinky pie. The most I could get himto agree to was to wait until I got home so I could look over the paperwork.”

“Shit. I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, me too. If this asshole Dr. Henshawthinks he can just take the clinic from my dad, he’s in for a big fucking surprise.I’m not letting some hotshot city vet destroy my dad’s life.”

“Honey, I get wanting to be there for yourdad and protecting him, but you need to live your dream too. Leaving New York,not pursuing your art is -”

“The right thing to do,” Harper said. “Trustme, Addison, I can’t cut it here. My work is terrible compared to the others.I was stupid to think I was good enough.”

“Don’t say that,” Addison said.

“It’s true. Listen, I’ll be there nextweekend and we can discuss in great detail why my dream failed, okay? Now, howare you doing? Have you talked to Preacher at all?”

“No, I told you he wants nothing to do withme.”

“The barbeque is gonna be real awkward tomorrow.”

“I’m not going,” Addison said.

Harper frowned at her. “So, Preacher justautomatically wins our friends? That’s not fair. You’ve been friends withthem your whole life. Preacher has only lived here for a few years. You win thefriend war, Addison. Let Preacher find new friends.”

She shook her head. “He needs them, Harper.I’m worried about him. He’s all alone and he doesn’t even have a stupid stovein his apartment. He eats out all the time and he works too many hours, and whatwill he do the next time he gets a migraine?”

“Honey, I love how compassionate you are, butthe asshole broke up with you. Let him worry about his own life.”

“We were never actually dating so technicallyhe didn’t break up with me,” Addison said.

There was a knock on her door and Harper frownedat her through the screen. “Jesus, I swear you have the worst security in yourapartment building. What’s the use of having a locked lobby if anyone can juststroll on in? Are you expecting someone?”

Addison picked up her phone and walkedtoward the door. “You’ve been living in New York for too long, Harper. I ordereda pizza because I’m too depressed to cook.”

She opened the door with her free hand. “Thankyou so…”

“Addison? What’s wrong?” Harper peered ather through her phone screen. “Why are you so pale? Who’s at the door? What’sgoing on?”

Addison turned the phone until it was pointedat the door.

“Oh look, it’s the asshole,” Harper said. “Whatthe fuck do you want, Preacher?”

“Harper, stop.” Addison turned the phoneback to face her. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Make him beg for forgiveness!” Harperhollered before Addison could hit the end button.

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