Page 105 of Tides That Bind

“Harper, you gotta wake up. Stop, please."

It’s one thing to lose Nate. It’s another to watchHarperlose him.

“Stay, Riley.”

My heart stops. Theworldstops when my eyes land on Harper’s face, finding her awake. Her eyes glisten tragically with tears, her plump lips part as shaky breaths escape them.

“Riley…”

Hearing my name like that?Wanted? Needed? It unleashes something in me I never knew was there. It’s instinct, the way my body moves, like comforting Harper is the easiest thing I’ve ever done even though we both know, it was born from the hardest.It’s like a reflex triggered by something deep within me I’m not sure I can ignore any longer, no matter how much it terrifies me. Because, I swear, what flows through my veins is love I never knew was mine to give Harper until death cleared the way.

Harper’s body shifts backward while mine moves forward as I slide onto the couch. Cupping the back of her head, her face finds the crook of my neck, her eyes showering me with tears.

My lips on her temple and the kiss they dust just under her hairline is an action that can’t be described by anything other thannecessary. And god, I hate all of it, and not because it’s wrong that Harper fits so easily in my arms.

I hate it because it feels so damn right.

“I’m here.” The whisper serves as another kiss, but this time, my lips linger there when Harper’s hands slide under my shirt, her fingertips pressing into the skin of my back. I run my hand down the back of her head, following the lengths of her hair. She shifts, and her lips now press against the column of my neck and I don’t know how it’s possible, but my pulse beats faster when it’s under her.

“But why were youthere?”

I freeze. “In your dream?”

Harper nods, but the movement is timid. It makes me hold her tighter, more secure.

“I swear,” she whispers, “I was there with both of you.”

The thought is soul crushing. I squeeze my eyes shut, not recognizing the pain in my voice.

“Please don’t dream that. I can’t handle thinking about what the world would be like without you in it.”

Harper stills against me and the feel of her breath against myskin halts, like she’s holding it in anticipation and I don’t know if she’s waiting for me to continue or take the words back. All I know is I can’t let my mind entertain the possibility. My heart can’t handle it. Right or wrong, she’s tucked in there right now and I can’t imagine her being anywhere else. I don’twanther anywhere else.

Harper drags her hand out from beneath my shirt and brings it around, pressing it to my chest and she pulls her face from my neck.

“Riley…”

I’ve must’ve heard my name said a million times in my life. I think this is the only one I’ll never forget.

“You don’t know what it does to me when you say my name like that.”

Harper’s tongue slides out between her lips, swiping at the bottom one. She slides her leg up and cushions it between my own. “Like what?”

“Like I’m important to you.”

Harper’s hand finds my cheek and it’s another memory I’ll keep forever. I know I forget a lot of things, but never will I go a day without remembering this moment when the whole world was about to change.

“I…shouldn’t be holding you like this. I shouldn’tlikeholding you like this.”

Pulling her closer makes it too easy for Harper to call my bluff. “But you are.”

Still touching my face, Harper snakes her other between us, trailing down my chest and stomach. I swear, I can’t breathe.

But when Harper takes my left hand, she pulls it up, resting it on her chest, just above the swell of her breast.

And there it is—the finger Nate broke on purpose resting on the beating heart of hisentirepurpose.

“You gotta’ take care of my family.”

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