“You seem different, son. Lighter.” He comments before turning and resting his elbows on the bar, looking over at the table where the girls are deep in conversation. I smile as Harper talks animatedly, hands flying everywhere as she speaks.
I mimic the position my father is in as I take in the scene. “I mean, I am different. A lot of good has happened lately.” There’s a brief silence before I continue. “I was doing well with just focusing on the clinic. The new addition was going to be my main focus for the foreseeable future. But then, Harper came in with her dog, and she fell into my life – literally. She went to introduce herself and fellintome.” Chuckling, I take a sip of mydrink before releasing a sigh. “We ran into each other later that night.” I shrug. “We talked, and I just decided to take a chance.”
“Well, it looks good on you. I’m happy you decided to let someone into your life since –”
“Don’t, Dad. Please.”
He puts his hands up in surrender and doesn’t say anything more. He pats me firmly on my shoulder before he returns to his seat beside his wife.
Returning to my own seat, I pass Harper her drink. She smiles at me in thanks. I throw my arm back around her shoulder, and she sinks into me with ease as she takes a sip. We sit there for a couple minutes before I check the time. We should have started dinner already but my sister has yet to make her presence.
“Are we going to start supper?”
Just on cue, Chloe comes barging into the room, face in her phone as she plops down in the chair dramatically. She’s typing away furiously, and the silence is pungent as Mom looks past Chloe, presumably waiting for Deke to come through the door next.
“Chloe, dear. Where’s Dalton?”
Her eyes leave her phone as she huffs. “He’s on some work call. Something stupid.” Her response is short, eager to be back furiously typing on her phone. The silence stretches on for a couple minutes before the doors open, and the kitchen staff come in with dinner. We start with a spring salad topped with slices of fruits, feta cheese, and a raspberry vinaigrette, paired with fresh dinner rolls. A warm puff of steam escapes the roll when I tear it open.
The table is relatively silent as we eat. Chloe hasn’t spoken much, but she’s also still glued to her phone, despite the multiple attempts my parents have tried to engage with her. When the salad is cleared, the main course of roasted pork loin, flame-roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes is placed in the center of the table. My mouth begins to water at the smell of it all mingling together.
We all work on filling our plates, and I didn’t realize how starved I was until the main dishes were placed down. Peering at Harper, I see that she has barely put anything on her plate. She’s looking down at her food as she takes small bites. I begin to eat my own meal, but I can’t stop watching her, seeing what she’s doing. I don’t want to interject because she might not be a big dinner eater, but her stiff posture says otherwise.
“So.” Chloe starts, her phone placed beside her plate, her eyes zeroed in on Harper. I sit up straight as I wait for what’s going to come out of her mouth. “I’m justcuriousHarper– where you got the nerve to try and butt yourself into my life and my family.”
My mom begins to choke on her drink. “Chloe!” she scolds. “What is wrong with you? This is not how we speak to our guests!”
“Oh please Mom. I still don’t believe these two just randomly met and got together. When she was so desperate to get Dalton back when he ended things.”
Harper laughs, full of sarcasm. Shaking her head, she wipes her mouth with her napkin before tossing it on her plate. “Desperate to get Dalton back? What exactly did he tell you because that’s not the version that I lived through. I donotwant him back. He burned that bridge the moment he decided to sleep with you while we werestill together.” I snap my teeth together on the t’s, and she flinches.
There is a tense silence as the news that was just disclosed sinks in. My moms eyes are the size of saucers as they bounce between Harper and Chloe. My dad’s face has turned a shade of red that only arises when he’s pissed. Chloe, of course, is just pissed that she was called out for taking someone's boyfriend. Harper pushes her chair back and stands up. “If you’ll excuse me. I’ve lost my appetite. I’m so sorry” Before I can get her attention she’s out of the room.
“Do you always have to be such a bitch Chloe?” I snap at her, pushing my plate away from me. Appetite gone. Standing abruptly, quickly glancing at my parents, “Mom, Dad I’m sorry.”
My moms mouth opens and closes a couple times. She looks like she’s still trying to comprehend everything that just happened. It’s my dad whoresponds. “No need to apologize. Clearly, we need to have a chat with our daughter.” His eyes whip to Chloe who is finally starting to look a little ashamed of her actions. At least, I hope that’s what the look on her face is.
“I’m going to go check on Harper.” My Dad nods as he turns his attention to Chloe, yelling at her before I even get out of the room.
“How embarrassing! To find out that my own daughter ruined a relationship! Not to mention, you workedunder him! I went out on a line to get you that job, Chloe! And this is how you act?—” The conversation turns muffled as the door closes behind me, but I could care less as I race toward our room.
Entering the room, I see that the bathroom door is closed. Pacing the room, I start to think of what I can do to make this better. The overwhelming feeling to go to her wins out as I stride toward the door. I knock and wait for a response, but there’s nothing. I take my chance and try the knob. It’s unlocked.
“Harper?” I open the door just enough to allow my voice to travel, but also giving her a chance to tell me not to come in if she really doesn’t want me there.
“Yeah,” she grumbles.
“Can I come in?”
There is a garbled noise that sounds like a yes, so I don’t hesitate and walk in. She’s there, sitting on the edge of the tub, her elbows on her knees and head in her hands. I make my way over, leaning on the vanity as I take her in. There is definitely something going on.
“What’s going on?Talk to me.”
She takes a breath before she sits up, resting her hands on her knees. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to air any dirty laundry at dinner. I just– I couldn’t just let her sit there and fling false accusations. Making me seem like a crazy obsessed ex trying to get him back.” Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the stress in them. “I especially don’t want you to think I’m trying to get him back. I donotwant him back. I’d never trust him in that capacity again. I know we aren't serious, and like, we have this commongoal. I know this is for show. But I still like you as a person. You make me laugh, and you bring this calmness that just helps my anxiety—” She stops talking abruptly. “And now, I’m rambling.” She stands up and goes to walk away, but I grab her wrist to stop her. She turns to look at me, and I pull on her arm to bring her close to me. When she’s close enough, I pull her into a hug.
She just seems like she needs physical contact. She’s rigid for a second before her body melts, and she wraps her arms around my waist, tucking her head into my chest. I rub my arm up and down her back in a soothing pattern. Eventually, she pulls back and tilts her head up to look at me. Looking into her eyes, I can see that she’s no longer in her head. She needs to take her mind off things and relax.
“Go get your bathing suit on.” I keep my voice firm, giving her no room to have a discussion.
