Spencer Hernandez is a kind-hearted firefighter in Haughville, Indiana. After working his long 24 hour shifts, he goes to diner where he spends time with her.
Between her gorgeous face and fast wit, Harper Kennedy is the woman of Spencer's dreams...
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After my next shift, I drove to the diner. I'd had time to think about it all. Honestly, I'd come to a conclusion within an hour of waking from my nap after talking to Adam. It was a no-brainer to me. I cared about every part of Harper— every part. Even if all we could be were friends, I would take that. I would support her however she needed, in whatever way she needed. I wasn't ready to lose her from my life.
Inside the diner, it was as it always was after a shift. A few scattered diners, mostly the regulars. Dorothy was pouring coffee for someone at the counter. I pulled out my newspaper and sat down to wait for her. While most days she greeted me with a smile, today, she looked less than pleased.
"Spencer." Dorothy handed me a mug. "What are you doing here?"
"Breakfast."
Her eyes narrowed. "Try again."
My shoulders dropped. "Okay. I need to talk to Harper."
Dorothy looked apologetic. Almost sad. "She's not working today, Spence."
"Oh." I tried to hide as much of my disappointment as I could.
"You still want your usual?"
I nodded. "Please."
Dorothy gave me one last apologetic look before putting my order into the kitchen. I opened my newspaper and tried to ignore the gnawing pain in my gut. Despite knowing Harper wasn't working today, every once in awhile I peered over my paper at the curtain that separated the stairs to Harper's apartment from the diner. I ate as slowly as I could, but she never came down. Keeping the sadness from my voice, I said goodbye to Dorothy.
That was how it went for the next couple of weeks. Every day after my shift I would go to the diner and hope beyond hope that Harper would be there. He never was. By my next Kelly week I wasn't sure if I was happy I wouldn't have to go through the pain of not seeing her or sad that I no longer had an excuse to pop into the diner.
It came as a relief when Reed called to have a beer. I needed something to distract me from my constant thinking of Harper and everything that could have been.
"How are things at the firehouse?" Reed took a swig of his drink.
"Busy. Lots of fires and medical runs lately," I answered.
"Both a blessing and a curse, I guess." He took another drink. "Busy makes the days go by faster, but they're much more exhausting."
I nodded non-committally. I knew I needed to say something when I noticed Reed looking suspicious of my mood. I couldn't have the Harper conversation again.
"How's the wedding planning?" I asked.
Reed's body language changed. "Exhausting. I would love to go to the courthouse and just get it done, but Piper is all in on the idea of a fancy wedding."
