Page 54 of Dare to Hold
Harper reappears with a bag of chips and two mugs of coffee, handing me one before plopping down beside me. “I still can’t believe how intense that guy was. Micah, right?” She rolls her eyes. “I swear, he looked at me like I was about to steal that kid and run off to Canada.”
I choke on my coffee. “To be fair, you did kind of bulldoze him.”
She shrugs, clearly unbothered. “Someone has to keep those power-tripping volunteers in check.”
I laugh, but there’s an edge of truth to her words. Harper’s good at deflecting, turning moments of tension into humor. But I saw her face when she walked away from Micah. The way she squared her shoulders, determined to prove him wrong.
There’s a sharp knock at the door before I can dig deeper.
Harper pops up, swinging it open to reveal Olivia, wearing slacks and a fancy blouse as if she just got off work. “Hello,” she greets, her voice softer than usual.
“Look who actually showed up,” Harper teases, stepping aside to let her in.
Olivia rolls her eyes, slipping her purse off her shoulder and hangs it on the hook next to the door. “You guilted me into it. It’s too early in the day for your relentless optimism.”
“Too bad. I’m fueled up on caffeine and I have chips.” Harper grins, shaking the bag in Olivia’s direction. “Want some?”
Olivia hesitates, then sighs. “I guess.” She settles onto the armchair across from us, folding her legs beneath her.
We make small talk for a while, dipping into light topics like work, weekend plans, Harper’s latest dating horror story and how bored she is during the summer months. It’s comfortable and familiar, it’s what we do. But there’s an energy humming beneath it, a thread of anticipation I can’t quite shake.
Finally, Harper leans back, stretching her arms above her head. “Sooo... I signed up for the kids’ ministry at church.”
Olivia’s eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”
“Yep.” Harper pops a chip in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “You should come with me next Sunday. Check it out.”
Olivia’s expression falters, eyes flicking to me as if I might save her. “Church isn’t my thing.”
Harper waves her off. “Come on. You sat through those lame events they threw on stage back in college. This is way better.”
“It’s not the same.”
“Actually, it kind of is.” Harper’s grin is wide and unyielding. “There’s music, people talking and people sitting to listen. And you might get to see me wrangle five-year-olds, which is basically free entertainment.”
“I know what it is.” Olivia fidgets, her hands clasping together tightly. “I just, I’m not really ready for that, okay?”
The room goes quiet for a beat, tension stretching thin between us.
Harper’s smile fades slightly, her tone softening. “You don’t have to be ready. You just have to show up.”
Olivia’s eyes drop to the floor, her jaw set. “I appreciate it, Harp, but I’m good. Really.”
Harper opens her mouth to say something, probably to push just a little harder, but I cut in. “It’s okay,” I say gently, glancing at Harper before looking back at Olivia. “We can take it slow. It doesn’t have to be this huge thing.”
Olivia looks up, relief softening her features. “Thanks, Ivy.”
Harper leans back, arms crossed but not pushing any further. “Fine. But I’m not giving up.”
Olivia rolls her eyes. “I would expect nothing less.”
The tension eases, and the conversation shifts back to safer topics. But I can feel the ripple it left behind, a hint of something raw and unspoken lingering just beneath the surface.
And I know Harper isn’t done trying.
Not by a long shot.
I curl deeper into my blankets, laptop balanced on my knees, the soft glow of my bedside lamp the only light in the room. The video call window fills my screen, and just like that, it feels like Gray is here with me. He’s sprawled on his couch, guitar across his chest, fingers strumming easy chords that hum faintly through my speakers.
