For the first time in as long as I could remember, I was looking forward to waking up in the morning. I couldn’t wait to see what that day would bring with Harper.
And now, knowing I would get to see her that evening, I resumed work with an even bigger smile on my face than before. If this was love, this was the first time I’d ever truly been in love.
And I never wanted the feeling to end.
SIXTEEN
Harper
“I don’t knowwhat came over me, but I just got the urge to have him over for dinner, and he accepted,” I said.
“Sounds like the two of you are really making some steps moving forward here,” Raya replied. “Do you see a future here?”
“I hope so,” I told her. “I mean, since we met, it’s just been so natural. I went to that doctor appointment with my mom, and she was the one who basically set us up. I don’t know, I just think my mom really knew what she was doing with that one, you know?”
“Moms are good like that. Who knows you better than she does? The two of you are so close, it only makes sense now that you mention it. Plus, who’s to say fate didn’t bring you together now so you can still have your mom around for a wedding and starting a family and all that?”
“I did think of that,” I admitted. “I’m not going to rush into things, but I do want my mom to be able to see me in a wedding gown and to hold her own grandchild. It’s not like I’m going to rush into getting married to someone just for the sake of getting to give my mother grandchildren, but on that same note, you know how scared I am without her.”
“And I think that’s perfectly normal. I can’t think of a person on this planet who wouldn’t be absolutely devastated watching their parent fight cancer. But, I’m happy for you. We grew up together, and I’ve yet to see you get so excited when you talk about anyone.”
“There’s just something different about him,” I said. “I don’t know what it is. It’s just when we’re together, it’s like everything in my life is just together. It’s all perfect, and there’s nothing for me to worry about. And the funny thing is, I don’t have to have something to call it. I just know I like it and I’m rolling with that.”
“So what’s for dinner then?” Raya asked. “You going to hit him with your classic chicken nuggets and mac and cheese?”
“Cute,” I said with a shake of my head. “I think I’m going to use my mom’s lasagna recipe. I’m good at that, and it’s definitely a step above what I usually make for dinner.”
“Which is what, nothing?”
“I eat a lot of… crackers.” I laughed. “Alright, alright, your point is made. I’m going to impress him, don’t you worry about that.”
“I’m curious really,” she said, letting her voice linger.
“What?”
“Well, I don’t know how to say it exactly, just that I’m wondering if you’re going to do it,” she said.
“Going to do what?” I asked.
“You know what.”
And she was right, I did know what she was talking about. She was bringing up the vow that we’d made, and though I knew she was going to sooner or later, I had to admit, I wasn’t entirely ready for this conversation when it did come up.
“Are you going to break your vow?” she asked.
I sighed. “I don’t know. I mean, you and I were only kids when we promised that to each other, and all these years later, I don’t think I’m exactly breaking anything by sleeping with him. I don’t want to lose him. I mean, he’s really, really great, you know?”
“If he’s so great, you shouldn’t have to do anything you don’t want to do to keep him,” Raya reminded me.
“I know that,” I said quickly. “And it’s not like he’s pushing me to do something I don’t want to do. In fact, he has been entirely a gentleman about staying out on the porch when he drops me off at night, and he’s not done a thing to make me think that he’s even thinking in that direction.”
“Besides the fact he’s a man?” she asked.
I laughed.
“Obviously. But you know what I mean. I’ve gone out with guys who couldn’t keep their hands off me from the restaurant to the car. That’s like the opposite of what he is.”
“Okay, that’s fair. So do you think you’ll break your vow because you’re not able to control yourself?” she asked with a wink.