Page 113 of Redeeming Harmony

He just shrugged like the thought of the town assuming they were athingdidn’t bother him at all.

“So,” Harper zipped up her coat, “I know it’s late, but I haven’t eaten dinner yet. Did you want to go to Nan’s Diner with me?”

He didn’t reply right away, and she instantly regretted her words.

He’s just here to get his house key back. You think he wants to keep being with you now that he knows what a monster you are about your mother? What person admits they’re relieved even a tiny bit that their mom died?

She dug into her pocket for Nathan’s house key, feeling stupid and awkward. “Sorry, I know you’re probably just here for your house key. I shouldn’t have -”

He shook his head. “Keep the key.”

“Seriously?” she said.

“Yeah. It’ll make it easier when you want those late-night booty calls, right?” He grinned at her, but the words sounded hollow to her.

“Okay,” she said. “Nathan, are you all right?”

“I am,” he said. “I have some great news.” A genuine smile crossed his face. “Rayna caught Lady Nakia.”

“Oh my God!” She squealed and threw herself at Nathan, hugging him hard. He returned her hug and took her hand when she finally released him. “I can’t believe she caught her. What did Mrs. Rathbone say?”

He laughed and squeezed her hand. “How about we go have that dinner at Nan’s, and I’ll tell you everything.”

* * *

“I can’t believeyou took Lady Nakia to the groomers,” Harper said before popping the final bite of her chicken finger into her mouth.

Nathan grinned. “Trust me, she needed to be groomed. That cat had so much dirt in her fur, she was grey instead of white. Pampered Paws did an amazing job. She was back to her sparkling white, angry self in no time.”

Harper laughed. “Was Lady N happy to be home?”

“I think so. She walked right past Mrs. Rathbone and straight to her kitty condo, which, by the way, was bigger than my bathroom.”

“Mrs. Rathbone has more money than God,” Harper said. “Did she at least apologize for spreading all those nasty rumours about you?”

“She didn’t,” Nathan said, “but I honestly don’t care. I’m just glad the damn cat is back with her. And no worse for wear after holding the entire downtown hostage for days.”

Harper laughed again as Nathan smiled at her. Sitting here with Nathan had been the best part of her day, and she didn’t even care that the other diners were a little too interested in the fact that she and Nathan were having dinner together. So what if they were? Friends had dinner together, right?

“Anyway,” Nathan wiped his mouth with his napkin, “I did blood work and urine tests on Lady Nakia so I could assure Mrs. Rathbone she was completely healthy. Which she was… so all’s well that ends well, right?”

“Sure,” she said.

He eyed her over his beer. “You don’t sound convinced.”

“It’ll be better,” she said, “but I guess I’m worried that Mrs. Rathbone will tell everyone Lady N is psychologically damaged or some shit like that, you know? Like, I know the woman, and nothing makes her happier than having something to complain about.”

“I thought the same thing, which is why I’ve come up with another idea to win the town over. Are you working tomorrow?” Nathan asked.

“Nope, day off,” she said.

“Feel like going on a road trip with me?”

She grinned. “Sure. Where are we going?”

“I think I’ll keep that a surprise,” he said.

Harper lowered her voice. “What if I promised to blow you if you tell me what your secret mission is tomorrow?”

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