Page 10 of Secret Baby With My Brother's Best Friend

The waiter came to our table after a few minutes. "Good morning. What can I get you?" He asked, taking out his notepad.

"Morning. I'll have an omelet and a cup of coffee, black with a fruit cup," Harper ordered while the waiter jotted.

"I'll have the Eggs Benedict, some toast, and a coffee as well," Carl said, still scrolling down the menu for anything to add.

I turned to the waiter. "I'll have the steak and eggs, and orange juice."

"Alright. I'll be right back," he said and left.

There was silence at the table after he left, and I decided to indulge Carl in a conversation. "So, what's my schedule like for today?"

"Nothing. I thought you might want to take the time out to enjoy your first day and have a proper rest. First thing tomorrow, we have to get to Wrigley Field and take pictures of you in action. There will be some other team members there as well the assistant coaches. You'll be pretty busy."

"Sounds like a long day. I can't wait," I smiled, stealing a glance at Harper and catching her staring at me. She looked away, and it made me almost smile.

"You should also take advantage of today Harper. It's going to be a long day tomorrow," Carl said.

"I don't mind. That's what I'm here for anyway," she replied with a small smile. "I'll do my best."

"As expected. I have no doubts that you'll do well."

The waiter returned to our table with our order, and we all settled into our meal. I filled my mouth with food, eating with vigor and watching Harper from the corner of my eyes. She had a food stain below her lip which I so badly wanted to wipe with my tongue. I quickly erase the thoughts.

Carl's phone buzzed on the table, and he abandoned his food to take the call. "I'll be back in a few," he excused himself and went to answer the phone.

Harper and I were alone, and she looked oddly aware of the fact, just like I was. I ate a few more and glanced in the direction Carl had gone. I could see him just outside the restaurant. He was still on the phone and didn't look like he would be back soon.

I took a sip from my juice and looked at her again. Our gaze met, and this time she didn't look away so fast. "Hey, Harper."

She glared. "What?"

"Uhm. You have a little something…." I gestured below my lip, and she took a napkin, trying to get it but missing it.

"Still there?" She asked.

I nodded. "Can I?" I asked, gesturing to the napkin. She eyed me for a second and finally handed it over. I took the napkin from her, our hands touching slightly. "Lean forward."

She did.

I wiped off the stain and stared down at her painted lips for a second before dropping the napkin to the table. "Done."

"Thanks," she returned to her meal, and I kept staring until she caught me. "What?" she asked.

"About earlier—"

"I don't wanna talk—"

"Listen," I cut in before she could finish. "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have kissed you. If I didn't, none of this might have happened. I know an apology cannot change what happened or how you feel. But I want you to know that I'm sorry. Harper, I want us to start over, you know. Forget the past and move on."

Harper scoffed. "It's that easy, huh?"

"What?"

"To forget the past and move on?"

"That's not what I mean. I know it's not easy—"

"Do you?" she interrupted, raising her voice a little. "Then what do you mean?" The pain was evident in her eyes.

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