Amusement shines in Harper’s wide eyes as I stumble over my words. One hand coming up to her mouth, like she’s trying to hide her growing smile. Her focus moves from me to a spot in front of her, and her head moves side to side as she considers my words.
“I understand how this could benefit me. It would give me the advantage of sticking it to Dalton after finding out he cheated on me with Chloe. But I don’t understand what you get out of this. You said it would get your parents off your back. Why?” I go to open my mouth in answer but she immediately continues, “I mean maybe it’s none of my business. But– I think if we’re going to do this we need to understandwhywe’re doing this. And establish some ground rules. ” Pausing briefly, she looks over at me, a shade of pink tinting her cheeks. “You can tell me to stop talking whenever I get too much. I– I tend to ramble when I get a little anxious.”
A smirk begins to form on my face as I take her in. She’s been moving her hands the whole time she was talking. She uses her whole body to talk and I find it endearing, it shows her passion.
“My parents have been bugging me about getting into a relationship for some time. It’s been a long time since I’ve dated. It’s not somethingI’ve taken the time to do. My schooling, and then the clinic, have been the most important thing to me. Everything else has kind of fallen to the wayside, which I’m okay with. My mother, however– well, it drives her crazy.” I sit back and stare ahead of me. A sigh leaves my mouth, and I run my hand through my hair. “So I figure, if we do this. It’ll make my mom happy and if I take you with me to whatever family events she has planned for the two months then –” I shrug, not thinking I need to finish my sentence.
We let the silence linger for a few minutes. Then she replies so casually. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
We’ve spent what feels like forever talking. At some point, I toss something on the TV before running back into the kitchen to make some popcorn and grab some different drinks. I tell her about Josie and Monty. I tell her all the stupid shit we used to get up to when we were younger. Harper comes back with equally stupid things she and Evie used to get up to as well.
It isn’t until her phone goes off that I realize how much time has passed. It’s amazing for the time to pass this way with someone I barely know, but I feel a sort of comfort I haven’t felt in a very long time. It sets my stomach in a weird knot that I can’t shake off.
“I’m sorry” she says as she quickly looks at her phone, “It’s just Evie checking in on me. Making sure I haven’t been kidnapped or murdered.” She pauses a second before smirking at me. “Don’t worry, I told her you’re quite the host for someone who kidnapped me.”
“Tell her that your ransom is going to include all the medical support I gave while you were being held captive.”
She mock gasps. “I’m sorry your creatures of Satan chased me down.” Before she starts laughing, she quickly types out a response on her phone, then shuts the screen off and puts it down. She takes in the living room before she comes back to me with a warm smile.
“So, when does this fake dating commence?”
I scratch the scruff that’s begun to grow on my face. I think about when the next family dinner is. “I guess the next mandatory family dinner I have to go to would be Thanksgiving next weekend. So, I guess then?”
“Okay.” She nods her head in agreement. “Thanksgiving dinner it is! Is there a dress code? How nice do I need to look?”
I look at her for a minute, and before I think any better of it, I let the words come out unfiltered. “You don’t have to work too hard to look nice.” I freeze. I didn’t mean to say that, but I can’t take it back. It’s true. She has this natural beauty to her. I couldn’t not find her breathtaking. And honestly, I don’t want to take it back.
I continue, shoving the cringe from my mind. “It shouldn’t be that bad, dressing up wise. The dressier event would be the Christmas Eve dinner party, but I don’t think we will have to worry about it too much since our relationship is so new.”
Harper shifts on the cushion before placing her weight on her hand resting on the arm of my couch. The ice pack I’d given her has been off for a while. Harper tried to walk a little while ago when she needed to use the washroom. She had a bit of a limp, but told me she was fine otherwise. As she pushes off the couch, I step toward her, grabbing her bottle of water. Harper picks up the popcorn bowl, tossing a few random items into it. “Okay, that sounds good then.” Her fingers reach for the last pieces of trash scattered as she continues. “You should probably take me back to my car though. It’s getting late, and I have to get home, get Winnie his dinner and let him out.”
“Of course. Here, let me take those. You get your things together, and I’ll run this stuff into the kitchen then I’ll drop you off okay?” She nods her head, reaching down to grab her phone. I quickly drop the bowl off in the kitchen, grab my keys before heading back to the front door. Harper has her shoes back on at this point and is waiting for me.
I find myself smiling as I make my way over to her. I stop beside her, opening the door and I look back at her. Nodding in the direction of my truck, I tilt my head outside. “You ready?”
Chapter Twelve
Harper
Ibarelynoticedthehoursof the day slip past, and before I knew it, it was Friday. Evie and I had a sleepover Sunday night. She just found out that she’s going to be losing her job in a couple of weeks due to cutbacks. Since it was a temp office job, she knew it wasn’t forever, but it sucks that it happened right before the holidays. If it were me, I’d be so stressed out, but Evie is very much a go with the flow person. It’s why we fit so well together. With Xavier’s family Thanksgiving dinner slowly approaching, Evie has taken it upon herself to ensure I’m ready…both mentally and when it comes to my outfit.
Xavier and I have been texting throughout the week. We’ve been discussing the story of how we met, and the most logical is to use the story of Winnie being attacked by a porcupine. I’m a terrible liar, so it’s easier for me to go with something based on the truth.
When Xavier told his mom that he was bringing a date, apparently she was ecstatic. This causes nerves to fester in my stomach at the thought of meeting his parents. The people pleaser in me wants things to go well, despite it being just an arrangement between the two of us.
Tonight, I chose a more natural look. The smokey eye with the perfect mixture of browns and beige. Finished off with a little shimmer of gold in the inner corner of my eye. The black winged eyeliner is on point and probably the best I’ve ever done. I lean over the vanity, rollers in my hair while I finish off the matte mahogany lipstick. I love makeup and the creative freedom that comes with it. There’s something so fun trying newtechniques and watching as the blend of colors turn into something so stunning.
Satisfied with it all, I get to work cleaning up the scattered makeup mess on my vanity. Grabbing my lipstick I head back to the bedroom, placing it on my dresser and retreating to my closet to grab my outfit.
Evie is sitting on my bed playing on her phone. From the sounds of it, she’s swiping her way through a dating app while I finish getting ready.
“Anything good there?” I yell at her while grabbing my black tights. I begin to shimmy my legs into them, the fabric hugging my curves. Setting them into place, I grab the maroon sweater dress and carefully pull it over my head, trying to avoid hitting any of the rollers. The material slides over my curves, forming to my body perfectly. I quickly grab a pair of brown knee high boots to pull the whole look together.
I walk out of the closet as Evie huffs a sigh. “Ugh I don’t know. I hate these apps because they’re not made for bisexuals. I can’t just have a slew of men and women to look through. I have to change my preferences if I want either or.”
I shake my head with a smirk forming on my lips.
“Oh, is that all?” Making my way over to my dresser that has my jewelry on it, I quickly take the rollers out of my hair as Evie continues.
