“So, you’re never going to tell me what Alex made you do, huh?” Lucas asked Harper, watching her.
Sipping her third Strawberry Daiquiri, Harper shook her head, watching the bartender behind the preparing another cocktail drink for another customer with a few shakes and a swirl.
“Look, I made a promise, okay? He held up the end of the bargain. On Monday, I will start my exciting journey at Green Life. So, I should keep my promise in return.”
“Darn it, I can’t believe yesterday was your last day.”
“I’m sorry,” she sheepishly said.
When Harper called Lucas the day before to follow up on what he had promised her, he never thought she had also wanted to celebrate her last day working as his assistant. He thought he still had another week with her, but, as it turned out, Alex had cut that short and released Harper from any obligations a week early.
He wondered what Alex had wanted from her and why she had to keep her mouth shut about it. He had been pressing his young assistant for details, but Harper seemed so determined to hold up her end of the deal and had been refusing to say a single word about what Alex made her do.
And when the fact that he could no longer call Harper every morning for some stupid reports or documents dawned on him, his mind had been wandering ever since. He couldn’t seem to picture a weekday without her. Then, for some reason, his mind wandered off to the night Harper kissed him, which inevitably meandered into thoughts of him and Harper doing more than kissing had he not walked out of her room that night.
Him and Harper sharing one unforgettable night. He shook his head at the thought. He could never push too far with Harper, no matter how much he would have loved it. One step over the line of their friendship could start something he wouldn’t want to begin, and it could take her out of his reach forever. No. He and his wolf would never want that. But after that night, he knew that Harper felt something for him too. He could sense it. He could see it in her eyes. He could smell.
But would she even be interested in him after knowing what he truly was?
Lucas shook his hair around his face and looked over at Harper, noticing three empty glasses now crowding their table.
Her ex-assistant was now sipping her fourth Strawberry Daiquiri. Looking up at Lucas, she took a pull from her straw, sucking noisily at the dregs in the tall glass, giggling over some funny joke in her head.
“Are you drunk?” Lucas chuckled, raising his third glass of brandy to his lips.
Harper shook her head. “Of course” ―she let out a loud burp― “not.” Then laughed at her goofiness, adjusting the glasses on her nose bridge.
They both let out huffs of laughter, shaking their heads at the goofy sound of Harper’s burp.
“Are you sure you’re not drunk?” he asked.
She nodded, leaning back and laughing. "Of course!" She leaned too far, and her arms flailed for a split second before Lucas quickly had her back with one strong arm, saving her from the embarrassment of landing on the floor with a loud thump.
"Damn! How could I forget that you’re such a lightweight!" he exclaimed.
Harper began to laugh so hard.
"Alright," said Lucas. "You’re clearly past your limit, young miss. Let’s get you home."
"Or not!" Harper hastened. She didn’t have any idea when they could hang out again. With his insane schedule and her job that would require her to fly to New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, she knew they wouldn’t see each other again for a very long time.
“We could order some take out and stream some black and white movie. I know you’re into that,” Lucas immediately went on to suggest after her face fell.
“Okay! Take me home, my knight in shining armor,” she kidded. She looked up at him, her mouth quirking back up into a smile, then leaned closer. Luca’s breath caught as she staggered a little and placed her hand on his chest, catching her balance. He circled his arms around her, on impulse, to hold her steady.
“I love black and white movies! Citizen Kane, Casablanca, It’s a wonderful life, All About Eve―take your pick.”
“I’ll let you choose.”
“Let’s have pizza!” Harper straightened. Her face was hot as she took a half step away.
“Pizza sounds great,” Lucas heard himself say. He half-laughed, then immediately shut up as soon as he realized both of them hadn’t said anything funny.
“Okay. Let’s go,” Harper said, looking at him.
A few minutes later and they were both out of the bar and inside Luca’s black Lexus. Harper sat up in her seat as soon as she saw the time on her watch. 12:30 AM. She was suddenly feeling dejected. She didn’t want her moment with him to end yet, and home meant he would soon have to say goodbye to her and she to him.
Lucas gave her a sidelong glance. “What is it?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. Well, I guess I’m just really happy.” Her hands twisted in her lap. She bit her lip softly and looked out of the window.
“Is it you talking or the Strawberry daiquiri?” Lucas asked, grinning, then stopped when he noticed her long face again. He quickly looked back at the road.
“Me. Of course.” Harper sighed and then slumped in her seat a little. “You and Kendal are the only close friends I have in the entire city. Kendal’s gone back to her family in Minnesota after what happened, and now…you…”
Lucas took his eyes off the road for a second to look over at her. “Harper, I can call Castor and tell him you’ve changed your mind, you know. I can talk to Alex and have you assigned to another department where you don’t have to directly deal with his indolence and… scandals.”
Harper chewed on her bottom lip, looking at him. He held her gaze for a moment before back looking out on the road before them. She had to admit that what he just offered her was very tempting.
“And on weekends, we can hang out at your place, so you don’t have to feel lonely. We can order in and watch as much as black and white movies as you like,” Lucas added.
Harper’s heart just melted at the length of what he was willing to do for her. She just smiled at him and then said, “You already know my answer, Lucas.”
They were both silent for a long moment; and glancing at him, she couldn't quite read the expression on his face. It was almost yearning, maybe a little wishing too. Her cheeks went a little pink.
Then Lucas pulled over in front of a 24-hour pizza place. He told her to stay in the car and quickly got out. Minutes later, he came back with a box of pizza and a 6-pack. Then they drove off to Harper’s place.
When they turned on to her street, Harper felt her heart suddenly racing in her chest. Now that Kendal had left, it would be the first time she would be alone in her apartment with Lucas. Thoughts of what could happen soon occupied her mind, and before she knew it, Lucas pulled into her apartment building. Her mind was now racing too. She wasn't sure how far ahead she had thought this.
Lucas opened the door for her. Butterflies immediately flutter in her stomach at the sweet gesture.
When they arrived at her floor, she fumbled her keys into the lock, heart pounding so hard in her chest as she opened the door. She gestured for Lucas to enter first, considering he was carrying a box and six-pack of beers. She soon followed behind him, shutting the door tightly behind her. She flipped the light on in the living room.
“After Kendal’s parents came to fetch her things, I haven’t really done much cleaning.” She couldn’t understand why she suddenly felt the need to explain why the place was such a mess.
Lucas just smiled and put the box of pizza on the coffee table and the beers on the carpeted floor. He walked over to the kitchen to fetch the bottle opener, and when he returned to the living room, Harper had already curled up on the couch, shoes on the carpet and her glasses on top of the pizza box. Smiling, he took a long swig of his beer and sat at the edge of the couch.
“Good night, Harper,” he whispered and leaned back in the couch.
Then she moaned...