Trials {Editing}

Chapter 12 [editing]

Harper's POV

I walked down the steps in a lantern-style red dress. My hair was set down in loose brown curls, and I had on eyeliner and red lipstick. Connie double-checked me before we headed into the living room to greet the guests.

"Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, I'd like to introduce you to my daughter, Harper." Connie introduces me. I smiled and shook hands with the couple before me.

"It's very nice to meet you, Harper," They greeted.

"Nice to meet you both as well," I replied kindly as they looked me up and down. They both seemed impressed and satisfied with the way I look.

"Harper, I'd like you to meet our children as well," Mr. Harrington said as they both stepped aside, clearing my view. "This is Jennifer, and this is Jeff."

My eyes widened in surprise. They both looked at me with the same surprise. First I looked at Jennifer, then at Jeff. Jennifer was the first to snap out of it, as she smiled and ran over to me to give me a hug.

"Oh, I know her, daddy! She goes to school with me! She even came with us as a chaperone on my date with Damon!" Jennifer exclaimed excitedly as she squeezed me in her arms. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison's eyes lit up and they had on real smiles, instead of their polite ones.

"Ah, I see you are a lady of class, then." Mr Harrison commented. I smiled sheepishly, knowing that the more I played into it, the better it would be for Connie.

"So you've met Jeff as well, then?" Mrs. Harrison asked. I looked at Jeff, and he looked at me with an expression I could not read, those honey brown eyes staring into me.

"Why yes, I have," I replied, trying to snap myself out of it.

Jeff walked over and shook my hand with a pleasant smile. He winked as he said: "Nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too," I replied, trying not to laugh. We're both thinking about that kiss.

We all walked to the dining room and sat in our respective places around the table; Connie sat at the end of the table, with me on her left-hand side. Then Mr. and Mrs. Harrison sat on her right hand side, Jeff at the other end of the table, and Jennifer next to me.

Lucy came in with her son and they both started setting out all the food around the table, lighting candles along the way. Once they were outside the room, we all began to eat peacefully. In order not to let us fall into an awkward silence, Connie started to small talk with the Harrisons.

"So, what are you unsure of about buying from my vineyards?"

The Harrisons began to reply, but I wasn't allowed to listen as Jennifer nudged me with her arm.

"So how did you get to live in such a big house?" Jennifer asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Steve, Connie's husband, had this house built when he started dating Connie, so that she'd have a place to call home that is close to her vineyards, but also close to the airport so he could easily leave for international relations," I replied.

Jennifer nodded, fascinated. From the corner of my eye, I could tell that Jeff was listening as well. I tried not to seem too aware of him, even though I was. Stop thinking about that kiss or you'll make a fool of yourself.

"So, what do you do while your mom is handling business matters?" Jennifer asked.

"Well," I started. "Usually I'll listen in during dinner. Then I'll leave to my room when dinner is over, or I'll entertain any children if they have them. For you, I'll probably let you watch a movie or two with me, since they'll be talking business for a couple hours."