Page 176 of Sun-Kissed Fangs
Harper grinned. “You’re still sappy, you know that?”
“Am I getting great at it yet?”
“You’re getting very close. And I’m fine, I promise. What happened didn’t stick deep like that. The only thing still affecting me is when I think about picking up a gun, or any weapon, really. That still makes me nauseous.” Harper joined their fingers together. “If I ever feel wrong about it, you’ll be the first to know. I don’t think I could hide it if I tried.”
Maya’s gaze softened, followed by her thumb drawing aimless patterns against her skin. Right as her eyes dropped, resting on Harper’s lips, an excited yell cut through the moment.
“No way!” Lucas held up his newest acquisition. A pocketknife with a dark wooden handle. “But… But I thought—”
“We asked your mom, and she said you could have it.” Maya got to her feet, kissing Harper’s hand before moving up next to Lucas. “However, it has conditions. A knife like that comes with responsibility. You need to take good care of it.”
Maya went into a detailed explanation of how to clean and maintain the blade, one Lucas was enraptured by. He’d onlyneeded to meet her once before bestowing her with the highest praise a child his age could offer. He’d described her as ‘cool.’
A hand settled on her shoulder, and when Harper looked up, she found Patricia standing next to her. Her eyes were settled on Lucas, and though the corners of her mouth pointed upwards, her smile didn’t reach further than that.
“You okay?” Harper asked as Patricia sat down next to her. “Today can’t be easy. Even if it’s a happy occasion.”
“I’m fine. I just forgot what that smile looked like.”
Patricia looked towards the end of the table, eyes falling on Evie. Maya had finished her lecture and was now chatting with her as Lucas and Cedric inspected all the presents.
Evie laughed. Was grinning and talking with the same ease as she would with anyone else. The tension from only a few weeks before was all gone, having faded into obscurity.
“I didn’t,” Harper said. “She looks just like I remembered her. Even when I was trying not to.”
“I’m not talking about Evie.” Patricia took Harper’s hand. “You haven’t smiled like this in a long time. This brightly. It’s nice to see.”
It was hardnotto smile, frankly. The hardest thing about the past few weeks was getting used to how slow and calm everything was. To not be constantly on guard against devastating emergencies.
But Evie had the right of it there. She just needed practice. And every day she hadn’t felt the need to lash out, it became a little easier to accept as common.
“Maybe we should look for someone that makesyousmile,” Harper said. “This is a new place. A fresh start, of sorts. You’re allowed to be happy too, you know.”
Patricia glanced towards the empty chair across the table, dark eyes unfocusing.
“I’m not ready for that kind of happiness yet. Seeing my girls experience it is more than enough.” Her weak smile tilted into a smirk. “Regarding that, I need to talk to you about something.”
Habit made Harper stiffen. “Oh?”
“Like all partners, Maya is, of course, invited to the opening party at the Lotus. But after that, I trust you’ll stick to the rules and keep her outside the walls. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in that private room.”
Harper frowned. Then her stomach dropped, along with her jaw.
“Wait, you… No. You knew we were in there?”
“Of course. I left the light on, didn’t I?” The amusement glinting in Patricia’s eyes shifted into sincerity. “I had a feeling about her the moment she walked into my office. Same as when I first met you. A certainty that the fire you both carry was more warm than destructive. She’s good for you. And you’re good for her. Right now, that’s all the happiness I need.”
Patricia put her arms around her, hugging her tight. “I love you, Harper. We all do. Never forget that.”
Harper was grateful that she was facing away from the guests and for the aid of Patricia’s shoulder. She couldn’t do anything against the tears in her eyes without breaking the embrace, and in that moment, no force on earth could have made her do so.
She thought back. To that first day she and Maya spent together, when she’d said it could be hard to recognize when something felt right when you’d grown up surrounded by people who made you feelwrong.
Nothing felt more right than this. Harper sniffled and leaned into the embrace.
“I love you, too.”
Chapter 43
