After his meteoric rise to superstardom, Jim O'Brien is no longer a small-town boy who plays in bars and dreams of success. His handsome face is plastered on the covers of celebrity gossip magazines, and his voice alone is enough to make girls swoon...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Everything seems to be okay," Harper said, sliding the gloves off her hands. "Get dressed, and we'll talk."
She didn't have to tell me twice. I darted to the bathroom and ditched the exam gown before pulling my underwear and jeans up my legs. Glancing at the wall, I caught my reflection in the mirror above the sink. My eyes shone. They did that quite a lot since Jim and I started to go out.
Back in Harper's office, I found her sitting at her desk, typing something on the keyboard while she stared at the computer screen.
"So, I'm here," I said.
Harper looked at me and smiled. "Hey, you. So, before we get some coffee and gossip, I have prepared this."
I took a piece of paper from Harper's hands. "The instructions?"
"Just a little reminder about how to take the pill. I've already told you this, but it's important to be consistent with the time, and—"
"Take it every day. Got it."
Harper winked. "Smart girl. Now let's get some caffeine and food. I need something to survive this day."
I shoved my arms into the sleeves of my jacket, snatched my purse from the back of the chair, and followed Harper to the hospital cafeteria.
We were lucky to find most tables vacant. After getting our sandwiches and lattes, Harper and I sat at a table by the window.
"So, how have you been?" I asked her.
A sigh left Harper's mouth. "Busy, but good. You're the one who has a lot to tell."
I smiled into my mug before answering, "Yeah, I do."
I needed to talk to someone. While I had no problem discussing books and clothes with my friends, I was reluctant to share the details of my relationship with them.
Something changed after Tasha made those ill-intentioned comments. They pricked at me and made me insecure — a disastrous combination for an overthinker like me.
"Jim and I have grown closer," I said to Harper. "And he gave me the key to his place."
Harper's eyes flared. "For real? Wow."
"Yeah, wow is what I said. To myself, of course. He said he wanted me to have it for when we were both busy, and I felt like spending time with him. It's soon; I know it is."
"Maybe, maybe not." Harper shrugged and took a bite of her sandwich. I waited for her to stop chewing so that she could elaborate. "Maybe he's not one to waste time."
"That's what he said. He's convincing and intense, but also tender, caring, and affectionate. And he's holding back whenever we are together; I just know it."
"Which made you think about birth control," Harper said.
I shook my head. "I thought about it because I want it with him. A lot. Maybe not right now, but soon, and I'd rather be prepared."
