***
We settle in at a small table near the windows that face the outside street. We’d decided on a pool hall, and Harper had jumped at the chance to join us. The hall is one I’ve been to before, and the food is excellent. We’d already placed our orders, and I know it’ll come out soon.
Harper looks at me. “Did Sebastian corner you this morning?”
“Yep,” I say with a sigh.
“I was just leaving when I heard him mention to Gabe that he wanted to see you before he left.” She smiles. “Half the time, I swear he’s oblivious to anything that doesn’t involve women or his job. It’s nice to know otherwise.”
“Says you. You’re not the one that got lectured,” I muse.
“Oh please. The lecture probably consisted of ‘Hey luv, heard what happened. You let that fucker touch you again, and I’ll break his fingers. You get me?’”
Harper and I exchange a look and burst out laughing.
Ash grins. “Well?”
“That pretty much sums it up,” I agree.
“He’s so predictable,” Ash says with a shake of her head.
We all murmur in agreement.
Pool balls crack loudly, and I glance towards the pool tables. Most of them are in use. The hall is busy tonight.
I turn to Ash. “How are things going with the selling process?”
“The lawyers are handling most of it. I can’t wait to have it all behind me,” she says wistfully.
“I bet.”
Ash is currently in the process of selling her shares of the family business to her father. The shares are worth millions, and it blows my mind every time I think about it. Ash, on the other hand, doesn’t seem fazed. All she cares about is her relationship with Channing. I think if the deal fell through and she ended up completely broke, she’d still be happy.
Harper looks at Ash, her eyes somber. “Have you spoken with your father?”
Ash shakes her head. “He hasn’t reached out to me, and I have no intention of contacting him. Our lawyers can sort it out.”
Our food arrives, and after we thank the waitress, we begin to dig in.
Harper uses one hand to hold her burger, and a pickle slides out and falls to her plate. She sighs and sets the burger down. “I will be so glad when my cast is removed.”
“You have what, three weeks to go?” I ask. Her wrist and three of her fingers had been broken.
“Something like that.”
I dip a nacho in my chili as I listen to the overhead music.
Harper reaches for her soda. “I have something to share with you both,” she announces.
Ash had just popped a fry in her mouth, and she chews and then says, “We’re all ears.”
I dip another nacho and wait to hear what Harper has to say.
“Gabe and I are moving.”
I blink and can’t hold back an automatic frown. “Already?” Though I can’t really say that I hadn’t seen it coming. They’ve been practically inseparable since Harper came home from the hospital. I figure it’s only a matter of time before he pops the question.
“Congratulations!” Ash is saying, pulling my thoughts back to the present.
Harper smiles. “Thank you. I know it’s kind of fast, but we know this is it, and we’re ready for it.” She looks at me. “I hope you understand.”
“Of course! You guys need the alone time without all of us constantly breathing down your necks. I’m really happy for you, Harper,” I say earnestly.
“It’s not like you guys will never see us. I’m sure we’ll be at the house a lot.”
“You’d better be,” I tease.
“We will,” she promises.
“Are you thinking of an apartment?” I ask curiously.
She practically glows with excitement. “Gabe’s talking about buying a house.”
“Get out. Really?” I ask.
Harper nods. “He says he’d prefer we put our money into a mortgage than wasting it on rent. Plus, the house would be ours to do what we want with. He also knows I’d love to have a dog.”
I slide my chair back and rise to my feet, moving towards her and leaning down to engulf her in an affectionate hug. My cheek presses against hers as I say, “I am so happy for you, Harper.”
She squeezes my shoulder with her good hand. “We’re not taking a second for granted these days,” she says softly.
I press a quick kiss to her cheek before moving back to my chair.
Ash blinks a couple times, looking teary-eyed. “You guys are going to make me cry.”
“No, no crying. This is a celebration!” I laugh. Honestly, I’m feeling a little teary myself. Harper almost died, and now she’s sitting here with a beaming smile on her face, and she has everything she could ever want. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s Harper.
That leaves one glaringly evident question. Where does that leave me?