“What do you want Owen?” Liv says through the crack in the door. One blue eye peaks out at me, and if this situation wasn’t my life on the line, it would be comical.
“I guess you are the dragon at the gate, faithfully protecting your princess from the villain?”
Her lips twitch just enough to let me know that she might be angry with me, but she doesn’t hate me.
“Maybe. You really screwed up Owen. Big time.” Her voice is colder than a Maine winter.
“I know, but if you don’t let me talk to her, I can’t fix it,” I whisper, and she holds my gaze for a long time before saying another word.
“Do you love her Owen?” she asks.
“With all my heart. I think I have since the first moment I saw her. Now let me in so I can tell her myself.”
Liv opens the door wider, grabbing her purse from the hook by the door.
“Good, don’t screw it up. I’m going home, I feel like I haven’t seen my husband in a year.”
She sweeps past me, leaving me standing in the foyer of Harper’s place.
“Liv who was that at the door? Was it the Chinese because I’m starving.”
Harper comes around the corner and stops dead at seeing me standing there. Her eyes narrow.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, her eyes going from mine to the door.
“Look, before you throw me out just listen.”
She crosses her arms over her chest “I’m listening, you have two minutes.”
I take a deep breath, “I love you Harper. I think I have since the minute you came into my office and told me my tie was ugly.”
Her lips tremble and she presses them together as she tries not to smile.
“Itwasugly Owen.”
“It was a present from Emily and I wore it because she gave it to me. I thought I was in love with her until that day. You walked in and told me you were my new assistant, and I needed a new tie because that one was hideous, and I was a goner. It has taken me six long years to come to my senses. Then I treated you horribly and blamed Emily and my shattered heart.
“You did, I have never been treated that way before Owen and I never will be again.” Her voice trembled and my heart sank. I’ve hurt her so badly I don’t know if there is any coming back from this.
“I know I hurt you that night, but Ryker helped me realize something. Emily didn’t shatter my heart, she only shattered my pride. The thought of losing you Harper, of never seeing you again, of knowing that you are in Italy with Antonio.” His name comes out harsh and bitter.
“It would kill me. Not because it would hurt mypride but because I don’t think now that I’ve realized I love you that there is any going back. Without you needling me, without you to bounce ideas off of, without you to tell my day to I’m not going to ever be a whole person again.
I know this is a lot to ask Harper but forgive me? I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
She stands there for a moment, tears welling in her eyes. She is going to tell me to leave, to walk out of her life.
“I love you too dummy, why are you still standing over there?” The tears fall down her cheeks and I cross the room in three strides, taking her in my arms and holding her tight.
“I almost lost you.” It is my turn to choke back the tears.
Taking her face in my hands I look down at her, “Harper you are my everything. I love you with everything I have.”
“I love you too Owen with everythingIhave. Now stop talking and kiss me.”
My lips curve into a smile as I take hers under mine before sweeping her up and heading down the hall. I’m going to spend all night making love to her… Showing her with my body and my words how much she means to me.
What’s Next