So here I was, sitting in suspended silence, watching and waiting like a spider waiting for a fly. Sure, I could've watched and waited from the house, but that was thelastplace I wanted to be.
Here outside, I was the only one around. By now, I'd been sitting for so long, I might've grown a tap root if the seat weren't suspended in mid-air.
Hey, it's not like I'd been swinging.
As a kid, I'd loved the swings. Now, I was pretty sure I hated them. Or maybe it was justthisswing that was pissing me off.
Silently, I stared at the SUV as it came to a slow stop near Harper's car. On the front windshield, I spotted decals for both Uber and Lyft plus another for Michigan State Parks.
But forget the parks. And forget the swing, too.She'd returned in a rideshare.
That was convenient.
It was early afternoon, and this was the first time today that I'd seen Harper anywhere – although not for lack of trying. I'd looked for her this morning at the courthouse, where she should have been serving up mochas with a dash of attitude.
She hadn't been there, and neither had her coffee truck. This was probably agoodthing considering the things I'd planned to say.
Now, I waited in stony silence as she exited the SUV and began trudging toward her car.Toward me.Her head was down, and her shoulders were hunched as if she were trying to ward off the cold.
Good luck with that.
I felt my jaw clench. Maybe I would remain silent. Maybe this would soon be over – and a lot easier than I might've thought. Maybe this was it – a nice quick exit with no long goodbyes.
But then, she looked up.
Her eyes widened, and she gave a little start as our gazes locked and held.
Surprised to see me?
I smiled. It wasn't a happy smile, but hey, I could have done worse.
I kept my seat wondering if she would simply head to her car, drive off, and call it good. And itwouldbe good – over in a heartbeat. No fuss. No muss. And no ugly scene to get the neighbors talking.
Her neighbors.
Not mine.
In a couple of weeks, I would be gone, and the house would be all hers again.
Why I was here now, I didn't even know.I hated games. I hated game players. And at the moment, I hated a lot more than that.
She was still staring. I was still sitting. In the background, the silver SUV reversed course and drove slowly out of the lot, leaving just me, Harper, and her abandoned car.
Except it wasn't abandoned anymore.
As if thinking the same thing, Harper pulled her gaze from mine and stared toward her vehicle. Her keys were already in her hand, and a basic brown purse was slung over her shoulder.
She wore dark jeans and a black hoodie.No winter coat.
But me?I'd dressed plenty warm – well, except for my jeans which would have kept my ass a lot warmer if I'd added some ski pants to the mix.But screw that.
Ignoring the cold, I kept my gaze trained on Harper.
Your move, Cupcake.
Chapter 44
Harper
