Page 54 of One More Chance

“I’m supposed to meet Steve in a little while,” she says plainly, like we didn’t just have sex, like there’s no reason in the world I’d be jealous.

Like I don’t want to kick Steve in the shin or crash a shopping cart into the side of his car or—relax, Jensen. “Oh.”

“Yeah, we made plans the other day,” she says, her voice trailing off.

I want to tell her to cancel them, to tell him she’s not going to see him anymore, to ask her to choose me, but that’s me getting carried away in a moment. And moments don’t make for wise decisions.

“Yeah, I get it.” I scruff the bottom of my shoe along the gravel, mimicking her earlier movements. Then I shove my free hand into my pocket. “Have fun.” I twist my hips and spin in the direction of the bench I occupied before, deciding the view it offered was better than hiding myself away in the bedroom that still smelled like her, sitting on the sheets still holding her shape.

Harper doesn’t move from behind me right away but eventually I hear her steps kicking up rocks. To my surprise, they’re not away from me but toward me.

“Jensen, wait,” she calls.

I turn back to catch her tucking her hair behind her ear and then wrapping her arms around her middle. Whatever she wants to say is caught somewhere in transit.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I don’t want to go,” she says.

“So reschedule.”

“No. I don’t want to go. Ever,” she clarifies.

I swallow hard, knowing what I’m about to say may have severe consequences but unsure I can stop myself at this point. “What do you want?”

“You. Even if it’s just for a little while.” She exhales.

I lay the guitar down at my side and walk toward her, both hands in my pockets, a smirk playing across my lips. “Well then, I guess you should cancel the date. And then come here,” I say, my voice dropping low at the end of my statement.

Harper runs toward me and then jumps up, filling my arms.

I lean down and press a kiss to her neck then bite her collarbone. “Besides, I’m sure you can find twenty more Steves after I leave,” I say, biting again.

Harper moans into my neck.

Somehow the mix of my own words, my leaving, and her delicious sound, leaves just a tinge of sadness in my gut.