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“No, I’m not insane. Why would I time how long our sex is?”
I close my eyes.“How can you be so brilliant yet so…daft? Did you set a timer for the cupcakes?”
“Oh,” she waves her hands.“Shouldn’t the oven beep or something?”
“You almost burned down our first dorm room by relying on a beeping sound. Fire alarms beep, not ovens. You need to set a timer, Harper.”
***
I was right; we all had to sit around the table and dig out the cupcakes with our spoons. They tasted…well; it’s hard to mess up a pre-made box when you just have to add ingredients, but Harper managed it. We all just took one bite before Julian ordered dinner and dessert.
The guys are cleaning up as Harper and I sit with a glass of wine and look out over the city of Dallas at night.
“I quit my job,” Harper says, then she raises her glass and takes a large sip.
“Why?” I’m not shocked. I knew she was lying about using vacation time.
“Daniel offered me something I couldn't refuse.” She looks into the glass like it’s a vast ocean.
“But you loved working for the NSA.”
She nods.“I did, but you know me, I need a challenge.”
“You headed a whole division.”
“I know,” she flips her hair back,“It was turning me prematurely gray. Not a sexy look on me. Grey clashes with my tan.”
I snort and take a sip, then ask her seriously,“Did you do this for me? Because of Andrew.”
She grinds her teeth at the mention of his name.“Yes and no. Daniel and I spoke, and he’s got, well, I can’t talk about it, but what he’s offering will keep me busy. Maybe even happy.” Her voice lowers as her eyes find Kent, who’s wiping the egg yolk off the wall.
Then it clicks,“Wait, are you moving to Dallas?” I gasp, jumping off my seat.
“I don’t know. I’m still ironing it out with Daniel, but I think I can work some of it remotely.”
I reach for her hand.“I want you to be happy. If working with Daniel for the CIA won’t make you happy, then walk away.”
She keeps looking at Kent.“I am happy. That’s what I’m scared of.” She takes another sip, scratch that, and she downs half the glass.
“I know what you mean, but ask yourself this. Can you live well, unhappy, and away from Kent?”
“I could.” She replies quickly.
I shake my head.“Could youlive, Harper, not just survive but live?” I lean closer to her.“You’ve been surviving for years. It’s time to live.”
Slowly, she nods.“I hate it when you say wise things. It makes me feel old. Where did the days go when both of us just did and said stupid things?”
I raise my glass.“Trust me, we still do stupid things; we just grew up to realize it now.” I clang my glass against hers.“Don’t do a stupid thing and run from something special, Harper.”
Chapter 15
Julian
Kent: How’s it going with Poppy?
Julian: Fine.
Kent: So it’s fucked?
