Midnight Kiss

Chapter Two

(Word Count: 2541)

Not a word was spoken about that kiss for the remainder of the night. They joined her brother back inside the bar and he pretended that he hadn't betrayed his best friend while she pretended that her world hadn't changed forever. Only lingering glances acted as confirmation that it happened, something Harper would have questioned if it wasn't for that small gesture.

Now here she was, three days later, and not a single missed call or text from James. She hadn't expected him to ask for a date or declare his love for her, but at this point she would have settled for the dreaded 'we need to talk'; anything that would help her discover where they stood.

They were good friends once upon a time. Maybe not the best of friends like he and Devon were, but good enough where she thought she earned something from him. Not having any clue how he felt about the kiss or where they would go from here would make this Sunday dinner with her parents even more challenging.

Luckily, her sister spent the holiday in New York with her friends and wouldn't be back until Wednesday, so Harper wouldn't have to face her yet. Only a stroke of luck and a heart made of ice would get her through that one.

Harper took a deep breath and let herself into the house, kicking off her shoes on the mat to the side of the door. "Smells good in here!" she yelled to no one specific. It always smelled incredible at her parent's since her mom was a chef at one of the top restaurants in their small city. The woman should have a spotlight following her around or her own cooking show.

It was not a trait that Harper inherited, not that her mom hadn't tried to instruct her. Instead she lived on takeout, frozen meal kits and grilled cheese.

"We're in here!" her mom shouted back from the kitchen.

Harper dropped her purse next to her shoes and hung her coat on the rack above, then followed the aroma and sounds of laughter toward the kitchen.

"Hey, Harpster!" her brother, Devon, greeted with a happy smile, looking glossy eyed from whatever the hell was so funny. "Look who finally joined the living!"

Her eyes followed to where Devon was pointing and it shouldn't have come as any surprise when her gaze fell on James, who was giving her a tight lipped smile as he held a glass of red wine.

This wasn't the James she'd seen only a few nights prior. This James was now clean shaven and his dark gray sweater and jeans looked like they'd just come out of the dryer rather than the hamper look he'd had going before. There was also a glimmer of joy in those pale blue eyes; something she hadn't seen in a very long time.

Fuck her life regardless. He wasn't supposed to be here. 

Harper came here not only because Sunday night dinner's were a family tradition, but also because she needed a distraction from the man who was standing in her parent's kitchen. 

His smile made her heart ache, voice made her head spin, and dimpled cheeks made all her wildest fantasies go a step further. Before, it had been easier to put what she felt for him aside, not allowing any hint of it to seep through. Now, there wouldn't be a chance in hell of keeping her emotions for him in check. Harper hoped that only he would be able to see it rather than it being obvious to the rest of them. 

"I had a fun time the other night. Made me miss this," he explained.

A fun time.

At the bar? With her? Could what they did be summed up by such a basic, casual word? Was what took place just a moment of fun for him while Harper had imagined it for more than half her life?