Page 26 of The Complication with the Best Man
“Thank you.” Harper nods, then turns her attention to me. “Nothing to drink for you either?”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. It’s not that I’m embarrassed, but me not drinking isn’t a topic I love talking about. I could chalk it up to a long travel day, or not being in the mood, but for some reason, I want Harper to know. “I’m an alcoholic.”
She blinks a few times, eyes wide. “Oh. Wow, sorry I wouldn’t have asked if I’d known.”
I shrug. “Don’t apologize. Been sober for four years.”
“That must have been difficult.” She reaches for her water again.
“It was. But no more difficult than waking up each morning wondering what the hell had gone on the night before, or if I did happen to remember, being embarrassed about something I said or did.”
The corner of her lips tips. “Huh, so tipsy wasn’t the reason you took me to your room that night?”
God, is that what she thought? “No.”
She doesn’t say anything but takes another sip from her water.
The waitress interrupts with a bottle of sparkling water and an empty glass. She sets the glass on the table and pours the water from the bottle, setting it to the side when she’s done. “Food will be out in a minute.”
“Great, thanks.” Harper looks at me. “Now that we’ve gotten all the awkward stuff out of the way, let me tell you how it’s going to work tonight. Each course will be served with a variety of options, and you just have to decide which ones you prefer.”
I lean back in my seat. “Sounds easy.”
“Should be, but trust me, the food here is delicious, and it’s going to make your job hard.”
I chuckle. “Well, I look forward to the difficult task.”
We share a smile over the table, and for the first time since I returned to Lake Starlight, the easy, relaxed feel between the two of us from that night has returned.
Again, I swear Harper looks as if she wants to say something, but an older gentleman approaches the table with two plates in hand and sets one down in front of each of us.
“Hey, Colin, how are you?” Harper asks.
“Living the dream, you know how it is.”
Harper smiles a genuine smile, one I miss being on the receiving end of. “Finn, this is Colin. He’s been the sous chef for my uncle Rome for decades. Colin, Finn. He’s a client of mine. His lovely bride couldn’t make the trip.”
I nod and reach out to shake his hand. “Good to meet you, Colin.” My head whips in Harper’s direction. “Wait. Your uncle owns this place? Does one of your family members own every business in town?”
“Pretty much.” Colin laughs.
“I mean, statistically speaking, with the number of people in my family, it’s not that surprising.” She shrugs playfully.
“So…” Colin interrupts. “I saw on Buzz Wheel that Palmer is pregnant.”
“She is. Isn’t it so exciting?” Harper claps her hands in front of her.
“She is?” I ask. I had no idea. Hudson hadn’t told me.
“I’m sure you’re pumped. I know how close you are to Adley,” Colin says.
“She’s going to be the cutest big sister.”
I allow them to go back and forth, Harper very relaxed with Colin, and Colin seeming to know more about her life than me.
“What’s Buzz Wheel?” I ask.
Colin shakes his head with a grin. “Harper can explain that one to you, but first, let me tell you what you have in front of you.”
