“I think Evan and Wes are back to pick you guys up,” I say loud enough to be heard over the music playing, and July and June, who are both in my kitchen unpacking boxes, look at me then the front door.
“Has it already been three hours?” June questions, and I look at the clock. It’s already after seven in the evening, so it’s been more like four hours since the guys left.
“Seems so.” I cover my stomach with my hand when it gurgles, reminding me all I have put in it today is coffee and donuts.
“I’ll be back when I get off work tomorrow to help you finish up,” July says, putting a stack of plates in one of the cupboards before meeting me halfway across the living room to give me a hug.
“You don’t need to come. I think I can handle the rest of this.”
“I’ll be here when I get off work,” she repeats with a smile as I pick up Dizzy and follow her toward the front door.
“I’ll be here after school,” June tells me, giving me a hug as July steps outside.
“I really can handle the rest. You should be home with your feet up,” I tell her softly, looking down at her stomach and the small little pooch she has there. I couldn’t be happier for her and Evan if I tried.
“Don’t even start. You sound just like Evan.” She rolls her eyes, making me laugh while we both step out onto the porch. “See you tomorrow.” She waves over her shoulder, heading down the steps toward Evan who she greets with a kiss.
Standing on the porch, I wave at Wes and July as they take off on Wes’s bike. Then I watch June get into Evan’s SUV with his help. Lifting my hand, I wave then wait until they are backing out of the drive before I go inside and close the door. Letting out a breath, I look around and sigh. Even though we got a lot done today, there is still a lot to do.
“It’s just you and me,” I tell Dizzy, setting him down, and he takes off without looking at me, probably going to explore his new home like he’s been doing since I released him from his kennel earlier. Hearing my stomach gurgle again, I head for my bedroom and trade my tank top for a T-shirt and my flip-flops for sneakers. Once I’ve retied my hair up into a ponytail, I grab my keys and bag then head out.
On my five-minute drive into town, I try to decide between pizza and Chinese food. The pizza place is closer, so I pull into the parking lot and get out, taking my bag with me. Like it’s been since I was a kid, Marco’s is packed. People are playing pool around the two pool tables in the back of the restaurant. Kids are battling on the video games that line the walls, and families are gathered around each and every table in the place. Going to the counter, I put in my order for a medium Hungry Man’s pizza, which consists of every kind of meat known to man, along with all the toppings you could ever ask for on a pizza. I also order a small dessert pizza that is covered in cinnamon sugar, fresh sliced apples, and caramel cream sauce.
Once I pay, I grab my soda and take my ticket with me over to one of the tables to wait. I pull out my phone and send everyone in my family a quick thank you text then scroll through Facebook out of boredom.
“Harmony.”
Hearing my name rumbled in a familiar deep voice, I jump in my seat and my eyes scan up from a pair of black heavy-looking boots, jeans that have been washed so many times they have started to fray at the seams, and a faded blue shirt that shows off every single muscle of his torso under a black leather vest.
“Babe, you okay?” Harlen questions, and I tip my head farther back and blink up at him, shaking my head.
“Sorry, yes.” I smile awkwardly. “Long day of moving and unpacking along with not eating has put waste to every brain cell I have left,” I tell him. He nods then pulls out the chair next to mine and takes a seat.
“Evan said you got a place in town and that he and Wes were helping with the move today,” he says, stretching his long legs out in front of him and crossing his ankles on the outside of mine, effectively blocking me in.
“They got roped in with everyone else.” I take a sip of my soda, studying him, but trying not to look like I’m studying him. His hair and beard have grown longer since the last time I saw him, and I’m not sure if he looks hotter or scarier. I do know the longer beard makes his lips seem even more inviting.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, breaking into my thoughts about his mouth and what it might feel like to have it on mine.
“Getting pizza then heading back home to eat and unpack some more. I have to get back to work on Saturday, so I’m trying to get as much done as I can before then,” I ramble.
“I’ll help,” he states, and I blink at him.
“Pardon?” I ask, sure that I heard him wrong, because I can’t imagine he has nothing better to do than help me unpack.
Shrugging one big shoulder, he tips his head to the side. “My order’s to-go. I’ll bring it with me to your place, we’ll eat, and then I’ll help you unpack.”
“That’s sweet, but—”
“Payback,” he cuts me off before I can tell him it’s not necessary.
“Payback?” I prompt.
“You helped me out, and this is me returning the favor. I won’t take no for an answer. Besides, you look beat.”
Great. I look beat. Good to know. “Really, you don’t have to help.”
“I know I don’t. Still going to,” he says, and I see the determination in his eyes.
“Fine,” I sigh, realizing I’m not going to be able to refuse, and really not sure if I want to.
“Order seventeen and sixteen are up” is called, and I look at my receipt and see that one of those orders is mine.
“That’s us.” He takes the paper from my hand and unfolds himself from his seat.
“Now what?” I whisper to myself, watching him head toward the counter. With no answer and no other choice, I grab my bag and let out a breath as I stand.
“Ready?” he asks once he’s turned toward me with the three pizza boxes that look minuscule in his large hands.
“Yep,” I lie, and his eyes roam my face.
“Let’s go.” He jerks his chin toward the door for me to lead the way and then he follows outside, where I see his bike is parked next to my car.
How he was going to ride his bike carrying a pizza, I have no idea, and I don’t have a chance to ask him before he’s depositing the pizzas in the back seat of my car and opening my door. “I’ll follow you,” he mutters.
“Right.” I slide in behind the wheel before he shuts my door and I start my engine. I wait for him to mount his bike, and then I ignore the funny feeling in my chest when his eyes meet mine and he lifts his chin.
With a shake of my head, I reverse then head out of the parking lot, back toward home, watching Harlen in my rearview mirror following behind. I try to convince myself on the drive to my house that none of this is a big deal, but my stomach is turning with nervous butterflies and my heart has started to thump hard against my rib cage. I don’t remember ever being attracted to anyone the way I’m attracted to him, and it’s making me feel excited and completely freaked out. Pulling into my driveway, I watch him park his Harley next to my car, liking the look of his bike in my drive. I ignore that feeling too, or at least I tell myself to ignore it, as he opens my door before I can, and holds out his hand to help me out.