Page 128 of Perfect Harmony

“Her job,” he said a bit desperately. “Sheloves her job.”

“She can work as a hygienist in New York,”Kira said as Connor returned with a sweater.

“But she’s lived in Harmony Falls herentire life,” Gideon said. “She’ll hate New York.”

Kira shrugged. “I think she wants a fresh startand I can’t blame her. You screwed up big time with her, buddy.”

He raked his hand through his hair. “Areyou seriously telling me she may never come back?”

“She did pack a lot of clothes,” Kirasaid. “I don’t think she left a single thing at Addie’s place. She said shemight even move further away, like to California or something. I talked to herthis morning and she said she was thinking of taking a trip to the west coast.”

“Fuck!” Gideon gripped the back of the kitchenchair. “What do I do?”

Unfamiliar panic was gripping his belly andparalyzing his lungs.

“You’re gonna have to go to New York andconvince her that you love her and want her to stay,” Kira said.

“You’re right,” Gideon said. “If I startdriving this afternoon, I can be -”

“Not a good idea,” Kira said. “If you drive,you won’t get there until tomorrow and I’m pretty sure she was googling cheapflights to California tomorrow. What happens if you get there and she’s gone?Are you going to drive all the way to California?”

“Text her,” Gideon said. “Text her andtell her I’m sorry and that I’m on my way and -”

“This is your mess to clean up,” Kira said.“I love you, but you have to be the one to fix this. You’re gonna have to flyout there this afternoon.”

Fresh new panic flooded through him. “I can’tfly, Kira. You know I can’t.”

“I knowyouthink you can’t,” Kirasaid. “But I believe you can. Besides, think about how impressed Gracie willbe when she finds out you faced one of your greatest fears to win her back. It’llwork in your favour, honey. It’s like the grandest of all grand gestures.”

“Grace doesn’t care about stuff like that,”Gideon said. “Does she?”

“Maybe?” Connor said. “I agree with Kiraabout the grand gesture thing. I mean, when I screwed up with your sister, mybest friend had to ask her to forgive me because I was wallowing at home inself-pity and despair. Talk about pathetic. If I could change it, I’d totallydo a grand gesture.”

Kira laughed and planted a kiss on him. “Honey,stop it. You were, like, two days out from major surgery, and you were in alot of pain and sad and worried about your future. I loved that Lucas cameover and pleaded on your behalf. It was weirdly kind of romantic.”

Connor grinned at her. “Thanks, honey.”

“Tank… he’s still recovering from surgery,and -”

“I’ll watch Tank while you’re gone. You knowwhat you need to do, Gideon,” Kira said. “So just friggin do it already.”

Just the thought of getting onto a planewas making bile rise in his throat. “Kira, I don’t think I can.”

“Do you love Gracie?” Kira said.

“You know I do,” he rasped.

“Then you can do this, honey.” Kira reachedout and took his hand. “I have faith in you.”

He studied his sister, at the love andbelief in him that shone out from her like a beacon, and said, “I can do this.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Life blows.” Gracie collapsed next toAddie on the tiny loveseat in Harper’s tiny apartment.

“Yeah, I’m gonna have to agree with you onthat.” Addie held up her wine glass and Grace clinked her beer bottle against itbefore they both took big swallows.

“No, love blows.” Harper was sitting inthe armchair across from them, but the living room of her one-bedroom apartmentwas so small, that she could prop her feet up on the loveseat between them. “Youguys have both had your ass kicked in the love department as of late.”

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