Page 154 of Her Ex-Husband's Brother
“I’m serious,” she says. “You’re coming to dinner when we get home.”
“Okay.”
“Caleb will cook.”
“Does Caleb know how to cook?”
“No, but it’s important that he continue believing he does.”
I laugh.
“And you’ll bring August,” she continues. “And Owen, whenever you have him.”
“And the kittens?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then the deal is off.”
She nudges my shoulder. “Fine. Bring the monsters.”
We exchange numbers. Harper sends me a message while we’re sitting beside each other.
[HARPER: There. Now you can’t disappear.
I type back.
[LENNON: You either
Her phone lights in her hand.
We both look at the words.
The joke falls away.
Harper lifts her eyes to mine. “I won’t.”
“Neither will I.”
When we stand, my legs are numb and my face feels swollen from crying. Harper hugs me again, softer this time.
“I love you,” she whispers.
I close my eyes.
“I love you too.”
She returns to her booth, turning twice to wave at me before the crowd swallows her.
I stand there until I can’t see her anymore.
Then I go back to August.
His line is finally shorter. He’s cleaning his station while the woman admires her finished tattoo in the mirror, turning her arm beneath the lights.
August watches me approach.
“Well?”
