Page 46 of Keeping You
It’s ridiculous how much I’m looking forward to seeing her again, considering it’s only been a few hours since I had her up against my office wall, kissing the daylights out of her. Her smile and teasing have been replaying in my head all damn day, the only thing keeping me sane while patrolling peaceful streets and reading uneventful reports.
I’m halfway to my patrol car when I spot Harper standing against it, arms crossed, one boot kicked up on the bumper like she’s been waiting a while.
“Harper.”
“Luke.” Her tone’s soft, but those Caldwell eyes we share say this conversation is serious. “You got a minute?”
“For my little sister? Always.”
She jerks her chin toward the Blue Bonnet on the other side of the street. “Buy me a coffee?”
“Sure.” I fall in step with her, and we walk to the café in silence.
My gut twists. I thought Callie said they’d patched things up. Did something else happen? Or is this about Kirk? God, please don’t let it be Kirk. The idea of my little sister hurting over that asshole makes my blood boil. Did she really love him? Is thatwhat this is? I should’ve paid more attention before everything went to hell.
Inside, the diner smells like fried food and apple pie. It’s comfortable and familiar, the kind of place where nothing bad should happen. The knot in my stomach says otherwise. We slide into a booth tucked in the back, away from prying ears. Harper orders coffee, and I stick with water because my throat feels dry as dust.
“Is this about Kirk?” I ask, searching her face for clues. “Are you in love with him?”
Her eyes widen, mouth falling open slightly. “No. At least not anymore.”
“But you were.” The words come out sharper than I intend. I can’t help it. The thought of her wasting time and feelings on a guy like him makes me want to put my fist through a wall. Or his face.
She shrugs. “I thought so. But he was cheating on me the whole time. And I think he just used me to get back at Callie. The time I wasted on that asshole, I’ll never get back. And the time I lost with my best friend because of him...” She makes a noise low in her throat that sounds a lot like what I’m feeling. “It really pisses me off.”
My jaw clenches, but before I’m able to utter a word, she changes course like a pro.
“So, you and Callie.” Her lips twitch, almost into a smirk, but not quite. “Guess I should’ve seen that coming. I mean, I did, even before that night at Pete’s. Sorry about dragging you guys over to our table. I was surprised to see the two of you there, together. It caught me off guard.”
I’m not sure what I’ll do if she has a problem with me dating her best friend. “Are you angry? Or against it?”
“Not at all,” she admits. “But I wasn’t sure you’d let yourself go there again.” Her coffee arrives, and she curls her fingersaround the mug, waiting until we’re alone again. Then she stares at the steam for a beat before raising her eyes to mine. “Luke, I need to say something.”
This sounds serious. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice cracks on the word, and it guts me more than I expect. “For what happened back then. For making Callie choose between you and me. For acting like your happiness was some kind of betrayal.” She shakes her head, eyes glistening. “I was wrong. And it cost all of us far too much.”
I swallow hard. “Harper?—”
“No, let me finish.” She takes a breath. “I was angry, and I thought I was protecting both of you. But all I did was drive a wedge so deep it damn near broke everything. You loved her. She loved you. Hell, when I think back now, anyone with eyes should have seen it.”
“We were kids.”
“We were old enough. When Callie was at our house, her eyes followed you everywhere. And you used to get all pissy and growly whenever another boy looked in her direction. When you left, she was devastated. I never told her the whole truth. I let her draw her own conclusions.”
“We all made mistakes.”
“Some bigger than others,” she says with a humorless laugh, wiping at her cheek. “Listen, I’m glad you and Callie found your way back to each other,” Harper says, cradling her mug. “Does that mean you’re staying? For good this time?”
Six months ago, I'd have laughed at the idea of settling in Cupid's Creek permanently. Now I can't imagine being anywhere else.
“Yeah,” I say, surprising myself with how certain I sound. “I think I am.”
“I was worried that with everything that happened in Chicago, you might use us as a temporary hideout.”
I consider deflecting, but the honesty between us feels too fragile to risk. “That might have been the plan at first, but not anymore. But this is my home. Always was.”
Harper studies me, then nods slowly. “Dad would be proud, you know. Of the man you are and the sheriff you're becoming.”
