“I need to work on my predictability. You never want people to know your next move.”
“Have you been watching crime documentaries again?” Olivia asked.
Milo narrowed his eyes. “Depends on who’s asking.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
The door opened, and an unfamiliar couple walked in. Milo picked up his burger. “Looks like the out-of-towners are starting to make their way to town.”
Olivia slid off the stool and greeted the customers while Milo took a bite of his burger and moaned extra loud. “Best burger ever!”
Connor laughed and shook his head. “Definitely predictable.”
“Really?” Milo said. “What am I going to do next then?”
“You’re going to tell that couple to get the burger.”
“Damn. I am predictable.”
Connor knocked his knuckles against the bar. “There are worse things.”
Milo nodded, then took another bite of his burger. He didn’t mind being predictable. It meant that people cared enough to notice.
***
Harper had the coffee table stacked with pint glasses ready to be painted. Maria ordered fifty hand painted glasses for her daughter’s senior graduation party. Harper couldn’t believe Sofia was graduating high school. She still remembered babysitting her occasionally when Olivia couldn’t. Now she was old enough to drive, and she’d be going off to college by the end of summer.
A pang of jealousy hit low in her gut, and guilt immediately followed. Jealousy was not an emotion she’d let herself feel, especially not toward someone as kindhearted as Sofia, but the jealousy mixed with the guilt took prominence.
Maria and Carlos were great parents. They worked their asses off and had been saving for Sofia’s college since she was born. Even though Harper had scholarships, it wasn’t enough—not financially and not realistically. Mom wasn’t capable of surviving without her, and because of that, Harper was stuck in Morgan’s Bay. She lost out on her chance at college, and while she’d accepted her bad hand at life, sometimes the disappointment would get triggered no matter how hard she fought it.
The door opened, and Harper glanced up. Milo strolled in, balancing multiple grocery bags in hand and a watermelon. She jumped from her spot on the floor and grabbed the watermelon before they had a disaster on their hands.
His footing was uneven for a second, but he quickly recovered.
“Why the hell didn’t you text me from the driveway? I would’ve come out and helped you.”
He dropped all the bags on the kitchen counter and spun, arms flexed. “Who needs help when you’ve got the gun show in town?” He kissed one bicep, and she rolled her eyes before he got his lips on the other.
“How’s your leg?” she asked.
He stilled for a second. No one else would notice, but she did. “It’s fine.”
No one else would have noticed the slight misstep either, but she always did. There’d be weeks when he didn’t limp at all, but every now and again his leg would act up out of nowhere. He was always grumpy when it did, though he tried his best to pretend like nothing was wrong. But Harper knew the pain was a reminder of all he lost that day. Without the pain, he could momentarily forget, but every time it showed up, it was like a billboard erecting, showcasing the accident and bringing it to the forefront of his mind.
They’d both missed out on their futures for circumstances out of their control, but at the end of the day, she was grateful they had each other.
She didn’t push on the topic of his leg; it would only aggravate him, and she couldn’t do that when his favorite holiday was only days away.
She meandered over to the counter and peeked inside the bags. All his usual Memorial Day party staples were there: ground beef for burgers, hotdogs, pickles, three different types of cheese, avocados, chips, dips, blueberries, strawberries… Her eyes drifted to the pint of ice cream and a smile bloomed on her face.
“You bought me more ice cream?”
“You went to town on the last one. Now you won’t have to make an emergency stop when the mood hits again.”
She hugged the ice cream to her chest. “You’re the best.”
“Remember that when you get mad at me.”
She tilted her head and shucked his chin. “I never get mad at you.”
He took the meat out and put the packages in the fridge. “What about last week?”
She grabbed the avocadoes and shot him a look. “You dropped my toothbrush in the toilet and almost didn’t tell me!”
“But I did tell you.”
“After I already put toothpaste on it.”
He snapped his finger and pointed at her. “But I told you.”
“All I’m saying is you’re lucky that toothbrush did not go anywhere near my mouth.” She put the chips in the pantry and the reusable bags in the closet.
Milo’s lips parted, a smirk on his face, but he stopped and nodded toward the coffee table. “What’s with all the glasses?”
“For Sofia’s graduation party.”
“How many do you have to do a day to finish in time?”
“Four. I gave myself wiggle room.” For a simple design, she’d be able to knock out at least half in a day, but this design was a little more complex. She had to paint Sofia’s portrait with a graduation cap on and beneath it the year on all fifty glasses. It would take time, patience, and a steady hand.
“I can help,” Milo said.
“No,” she deadpanned. Milo was many things, but artistic was not one of them. Nor was he patient or have a steady hand. The last time he tried painting a heart on a wine glass, it looked more like a butt. While it was entertaining, and they laughed about it for a good twenty minutes, tonight she didn’t have time to joke around. She needed to focus to stay on schedule.
“Sheesh don’t hesitate or anything.”
“Don’t act hurt. You couldn’t even draw a stick figure to save your life.”
“Maybe not, but if it was your life, I might give it a little more effort.” He winked at her, and she laughed.
“I’m flattered, really. You’re still not helping.”
He pouted his lip. But that had lost its effect at around eighth grade. He still pulled it out on occasion.
“Keep pushing that lip out.”
In true Milo fashion, he pushed it out farther. She reached for his lip, grabbing it between her thumb and forefinger. He tried to talk but couldn’t form a complete word. He held his hand up in surrender, and she let go with a smirk.
“Ow,” he moaned.
“I warned you.”
Harper took the ice cream and went into the living room. She had four hours to get four glasses done. She got to work, and Milo joined her. He sat on the couch, and she checked her phone for any matches. Nothing. Even online dating was turning out to be a waste of time.
“Are you checking that stupid app again?”
Harper put her phone down. “Maybe.”
“I don’t understand why you have this sudden need to meet a man.”
“If I have a family of my own, my mom will know I won’t be able to rescue her. She’ll have to sober up.”
Milo glanced at her. “Do you honestly believe that?”
“I have to. What’s the alternative? She never changes, and I spend the rest of my life making excuses for her? I can’t do it. I can’t. I won’t.”
“Finding a man isn’t going to fix your mom, Harp.”
“No, but at least I’ll have someone to lean on.”
“And what about me? What have I been for the last ten years? Haven’t I given you a shoulder to cry on? Arms to hold you when you can’t bear the weight on your back anymore? Haven’t I given you an ear to vent to?”
“Yes, and it’s not fair to you.”
“Why don’t you let me decide what’s fair for me and what’s not.”
“You don’t see things that way. Your heart is too damn big, and it blinds your judgment.” She shrugged. “I don’
t want you to one day realize all that you’ve done for me and be left wondering what was it all for?”
“You’re my best friend. I would never question why I do anything for you.”
“Maybe you should.”
“Maybe you should start painting and let me worry about me.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, then picked up the paintbrush and got to work. Milo turned on the TV and flipped channels until Jasper came home. Jasper plopped down on the loveseat, and they settled on another documentary about earth.
Four hours later, her neck stiff and back hurting from sitting with her legs crossed and hunched over, she was done. Jasper had gone to bed, having to get up extra early for a meeting with his principal, and Milo was passed out on the couch beside her. Half his body was thrown over the arm and the other half was curled up with a blanket.
He looked so peaceful, and she thought about leaving him there, but there was no way he could be comfortable at that angle. She shook his shoulder, and one dark eye popped open.
“I’m awake,” he said.
“No, you’re not. Go to bed.”
He sat up. “Then who is going to keep you company?”
“I’m finished.”
“You’re done? All four?”
She nodded. He held his hand up, and she high fived him, happy she could go to sleep with one less thing to worry about. Milo headed off to his room, and she cleaned up, making sure to put all the glasses in a safe place. The last thing she needed was one getting “accidentally” broken.
Tired but unable to turn her mind off, she got ready for bed. She checked the dating app, but there were no new matches, and every profile she came upon in scrolling was nothing to be desired. She sighed and dropped her phone. “Another lonely night,” she said to herself.
Her mind jumped to her conversation with Olivia and Isla earlier today. Without overthinking, she fished out the box from under her bed and wiped the dust off it.
Harper had been taking care of herself for as long as she could remember, so what was one more thing to add to her list? She looked at the white and pink box that had never been opened and stared at the clear plastic window, revealing the vibrator inside. It was pink, which made it look a little less intimidating.
Why the fuck not?
Either it would be a waste of time and effort, or it would give her the release she needed while she waited for a real man to come into her life.
She closed her eyes and gave control over to the pink vibrating toy.
Chapter 5
Harper felt refreshed and relaxed. Who knew that all she needed was a little self-care? She walked into the kitchen, her steps lighter, the air around her less restricting. She started the tea kettle and grabbed her mug out of the dry rack.
Even the tension in her neck had eased. It might’ve been the orgasm or the fact that the orgasm took all her energy, and she completely passed out and, for the first time in a very long time, got a full eight hours of sleep.
Milo strolled into the kitchen, his brown hair ruffled from sleep and his eyes still a little droopy.
“Good morning,” she said, noting the extra cheer in her tone.
Milo halted, hand up and looked like he was about to turn around but stopped himself. “Morning,” he said, though it sounded awkward and unsure. He shoved a hand through his hair and turned on the coffeepot.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Fine.” He reached around her and grabbed his coffee mug before coming to a stop in front of the coffeepot. He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “So, how was your night?”
Her eyebrow arched as she glanced in his direction. “Not much happened from the time I said goodnight to the time I went to my room.”
He nodded.
“Why are you acting weird?”
“I’m not acting weird.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“It’s just that. Well. I heard a lot of um… noise coming from your room last night.”
“Oh my god.” Heat erupted in her cheeks, snaking out and flowing down her neck and into her chest.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We’re all sexual beings. But I thought you’d want to know that the walls aren’t that thin.”
Harper’s head fell into her hands. “And he’s still talking.” She loved having roommates, but in a time like this, she really wished she lived alone or that the walls were a little thicker. She wasn’t even loud.
She glanced up at him, his eyes zeroed in on hers and his head tilted. “All I’m saying is if you’re that lonely, I’d be willing to help you out.”
She couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. “Please stop.”
Skepticism shone bright in his eyes, and she wanted to knock him one. “Tell me you never thought about it.”
“About what? Us? No. I never thought about it,” she deadpanned, then realization dawned on her. “Have you?”
“Maybe once or twice back in high school.”
Disbelief swirled in her mind, and she stared at him wide-eyed. “Twice?”
He shrugged like it was no big deal. It was a big deal. “I was a horny teenager, and let’s face it, Harp. You were hot.”
“Were?” she asked with a tilt of her eyebrow.
He held his hands up in front of him and shook his head. “Oh no. I am not getting caught in that trap.”
“So, what you’re saying by not saying it is that you don’t find me attractive anymore.”
He rolled his eyes, his entire body flopping with the motion before he straightened and pinned her with a gaze. “You’re gorgeous, you know it, so let’s not go there.”
“You never…” She motioned to his nether regions. “You know while thinking of me?”
She had no idea why she asked, but since they were on the topic, and he admitted to thinking about them sleeping together, she was curious.
“What? No. I don’t know. Maybe. Why are we talking about this?” He scratched his head, eyes darting around the room.
The uncomfortable shift of his body weight filled her with satisfaction. He was the one who made it awkward in the first place, and she was happy to repay the favor.
“You’re the one who brought this conversation up, or have you forgotten?”
“I was just trying to be a good friend, offering my manly physique to help you in a time of need and you”—he pointed at her, his finger swirling—“use it as a moment to humiliate me?”
She let out a sigh. “You are such a drama queen.”
He strutted over to her, placed a hand palm out against his head, and feigned fainting. His head landed on her shoulder, his dark brown eyes looking up at her. His gaze was warmth and humor and more comforting than any hug she ever had.
“Don’t hate the queen, hate the game,” he said.
Her body shook with laughter and she jokingly shoved him off. He snapped at her and pretended to toss long hair behind him.
“You’re so stupid,” she said.
“You say stupid, I say fun. It’s all about perspective.” He swiped his keys up off the counter. “I have to go pick up Mrs. Harrington and bring her to Bingo at the senior center.”
“Are you going to offer her your extra services, too?”
Milo stopped, brown eyes turning to dark depths. “No, that offer is exclusively for you.” He winked and hurried out the door.
Harper plopped down on the couch. She glanced at the door a few times, expecting Milo to come back in and yell that he was kidding. He couldn’t be serious. They’d been friends since first grade, best friends since sixth. She’d never once looked at him in a sexual way.
He was gorgeous, there was no denying that. Girls loved him for his looks and his personality, a rare combination, she was starting to believe after dating half of the online community in a fifty-mile radius. He was attentive and caring, fun and hilarious.
But he was Milo, her best friend, the one person in the entire world she could count on co
ntinuously and he never once disappointed her. Taking their friendship beyond that would ruin everything good and pure about their relationship. She didn’t want to taint the one good thing she had in her life.
So why, since he had made that ridiculous suggestion to her, couldn’t she get the idea out of her head?
***
Harper lounged back on her elbow and stared out across the water. Olivia and Isla sat beside her. Olivia had a couple hours before her shift started, and Isla was taking a long lunch. Having the beach so close was a luxury Harper would never take for granted. It was her favorite place to be, and now that the weather was warming, she’d take every opportunity to put her feet in the sand.
“How’d last night go?” Isla asked, and Harper sighed, collapsing onto the towel. “That well, huh?”
“Not really. Milo heard me.”
Isla’s eyes widened, and a laugh burst out of Olivia before she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” Olivia said and choked on another laugh. “Only Milo would tell you he heard. I’m sure every other guy on the planet would have acted like it never happened.”
Harper picked at a string on her towel. “There’s more.”
“Did he see you, too?” Isla asked.
“No.” Harper abandoned the string and looked at her friends. “He kind of offered to have sex with me.”
“What?” both girls screeched.
“I didn’t think he had it in him,” Olivia said.
Harper tilted her head in confusion. “Have what in him?”
“Milo runs the minute anybody shows any sort of emotion. The fact that he volunteered?” She shrugged. “I’m impressed.”
“That’s just it. It’ll be sex, no emotions, no strings attached.”
Isla shook her head. “Are you sure he wasn’t kidding?”
“He looked me right in the eye when he offered. Didn’t dart his eyes away or even flinch. He was serious.”
“Milo’s never been able to do the benefits only thing,” Isla said. “He always gets attached.”
“This is different. We’ve been best friends for twenty years. If there were any romantic feelings, they would’ve come out by now.”
All Because I Met You (Morgan's Bay, #2) Page 4
