Bryce
After the pizza arrived, Harper took a single slice and nibbled at it without much enthusiasm.
I asked, "Is something wrong?"
We were sitting on the sofa and had just popped a Christmas movie into the player. But now, only halfway through the previews, Harper appeared to be done eating and in no mood for a show.
In reply to my question, she looked to me and said, "I just feel bad for them, you know?"
"You mean the neighbors?"
Harper nodded. "They're such nice people." Her voice picked up steam. "Do you know, on that very first day, he was buying a mocha just because he felt bad for me?" She smiled. "Or rather, his wife felt bad, but she sent him out there, and he was a great sport about it."
I cocked an eyebrow and gave her a look.
The corner of her mouth quirked upward. "Okay, he was great except for the misunderstanding, which wasn't even his fault. It was mine."
I recalled our first conversation when I'd been surprised by the admission.I wasn't surprised anymore. For someone with so much attitude, Harper never shirked at accepting responsibility. I smiled at the memory. "So I heard."
"But back to the guy's wife, she had a twisted ankle and nowthis. Can you imagine how awful that would be to have a bunch of people coming over and barely no heat?"
I didn't like to see her worried. "At least they've got electric."
"Yeah, but how long willthatlast if they're running a bunch of space heaters? I mean, sure they can keep flipping the breakers, but that's gonna get old, too."
I reached out and took her hand in mine. "You've given this a lot of thought, haven't you?"
She glanced toward the TV screen, where the movie's opening credits were already rolling. "I'm being totally boring, aren't I?"
I gave her hand a squeeze. "Never."And I meant it.The longer I got to know Harper, the more I realized that she had a great heart even if shedidget riled up sometimes. I told her, "We could always have the party here."
"Yeah, right," she scoffed. "I'm sure you'd just lovethat."
"What, you think I wouldn't?"
She sat up straighter."Wouldyou love it?"
I gave it some thought. "Maybe I wouldn'tloveit, but I wouldn't hate it either. The real issue would be you."
"Why me?"
"I just know you're particular about the house."
"But let's say I weren't. How would you feel about it?"
"About offering the house for the party?" I shrugged. "It might be fun."
She brightened. "Seriously? You'd really do that?"
"Iwouldn’t be the one doing it," I reminded her. "Youwould. It's your house."
"Yeah, but you're renting it."
I grinned. "So I'll rent it toyoufor the night."
"Really? For how much?"
"How about…" I pretended to give it some thought. "A kiss."
