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HARLEY
Harley followed Spencer into his apartment. She hadn’t said much the whole ride home; she just held the new key snugly in her hand. The key to their apartment. She hadn’t added it to her keychain yet; it just sat tightly in her palm, creating an imprint.
How they made it to this point all seemed like a blur. The week had started off so morose, then detoured to Spencer’s parents’ house in the middle of that nightmare, and somehow, they had ended up here tonight. In a matter of days things had changed so drastically.
The sound of Spencer’s phone interrupted her thoughts. Checking his messages, he smiled with a sigh. “My Dad is home.”
The relief on his face said it all. It had been a tumultuous few days in the Wilson house.
“Sorry you couldn’t stay longer,” she said, taking his hand in her free one.
Spencer, still smiling, shook his head. “You know as well as I do, when my mom stated that we were to go home, get some rest, and get the apartment lease signed, that she wasn’t going to have it any other way.”
“I know.” Harley hated that Spencer wasn’t there to see his dad himself. “But...”
Taking her face gently in his hands, Spencer’s thumbs caressed her cheeks. “I’m fine. I was able to see him before we left. He’s in good hands with my mom, and he needs his rest. Having me and Zane fussing over him... It would be too much.”
She knew Spencer wouldn’t disobey his mom’s loving orders to return home and take care of what was important—signing their new lease.
Harley immediately took in all the packed boxes and the almost empty apartment. How did Spencer know they’d still be moving? Had he packed his life away even thinking they might be breaking up?
“Babe, how did you know we’d work things out? I mean, you never even cancelled the lease signing. And you’re all packed to move.”
“Faith,” he said softly. “You are the only woman I’ve ever truly loved. And I had faith that we were meant to be together. And it was our apartment. The one we picked together and fell in love with together. And even if you weren’t at my side to sign the papers, I was going to get the apartment and somehow find my way back to you.”
“And I’m so glad that you did,” she said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Isaac earlier.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t just confront you about things.” He shook his head and chuckled to himself. “I could’ve avoided so much of this mess had I just talked to you.”
She chuckled and patted him on his chest. “Live and learn.”
“Or just stupid,” he teased. “I risked losing you, too scared to hear the truth.”
“But the truth wasn’t all that bad. And I think we can give thanks to your mother for making you come up to talk to me,” she said with a smile. Mrs. Wilson obviously knew what she was doing.
“Somehow, I think we would’ve found our way back to one another, even if fate, and my mother, hadn’t intervened.” He pulled her into his arms, as a smirk slid across his lips.
“Oh yeah?” Harley softly kissed those irresistible lips.
In between little kisses, he said, “I never gave up hope.”
“Neither did I. I drove Lily and Zane crazy, but I wasn’t going to let you go that easily.” She wrapped her arms tightly around him, not ever wanting to let go again. “And look at us now.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, still grinning. “Look at us.”
“Stronger than ever.”
Nodding, he responded, “I agree. Stronger than ever. And speaking of us, are you ready for the big move?” he asked, his eyes shining.
As cliché as it sounded, she could literally see their future in his deep brown eyes. And she loved the possibilities. “I’m anxious to get moved in.”
Looking at his watch, he snickered. “I think it’s a little late to start now, don’t you?”
Her stomach growled, letting her know it was past dinner time, and truthfully, after the last few days, she had no energy to start a project of that magnitude right now. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I can think of a few things I’d rather do tonight.” His voice had a sexy growl to it.
“So can I,” she said with a laugh. “Like find something for dinner!”
Harley knew he had other things in mind, but food and checking on his dad were more important.
She looked around at his apartment. Most everything was packed up; there was just enough to live off. “Is there anything to make for dinner? Or are we ordering out?”
“Well, considering I’ve been gone for a few days, I suggest we order out.”
“Pizza?”
“What else?” he chuckled. “Besides, isn’t pizza the required food for moving?”
She couldn’t help but laugh at his ridiculousness. “Sure, but on the actual moving day!”
“Minor technicality.” He shrugged with amusement, and placed an order online.
“Speaking of moving day, why are so many boxes not labeled?” she asked.
Spencer shrugged. “I was in a hurry. I’ll find everything as I unpack.”
“That’s going to be a pain.” Lily must’ve really rubbed off on her, because the fact that so many of his boxes weren’t labeled was making her shaky. “Just don’t let Lily see that!” she joked. “While we wait for the pizza, you should call your dad, talk to him, see how he’s feeling. It’ll make both of you feel better,” she suggested.
“Yeah. That’s a good idea. I think he’ll like that.” Spencer nodded and softly kissed her lips. “How did I get so lucky to find a woman who not only cares about me, but cares about my family too?”
“I am actually the lucky one.” She tilted her head and couldn’t help the grin that filled her face. “Your parents are wonderful people. When they welcomed me and Lily into their home and their lives, I couldn’t help but care about them. They are more of a family than I’ve ever known.”
“Like I said, I’m lucky.”
Harley watched how Spencer’s face lit up when his dad answered the phone. The two of them talked for almost forty minutes. And just as she predicted, Spencer’s whole demeanor was different once he hung up. His body was more relaxed, and his jaw no longer ticked.
“How is he?” she asked, as Spencer sat down next to her on the couch.
“He sounds good. A little tired, but I expected that. He said he feels perfectly fine, like nothing ever happened.” Spencer’s voice cracked and he paused.
She pulled him into her arms to comfort him and held him tight for a moment before either of them spoke.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Har.” His voice was soft and muffled, since his face was buried in her hair.
“Spence, your dad is going to be okay. But I’ll be here whenever you feel overwhelmed.” She held him for a few more minutes. Harley wondered what it would be like to have such a connection with your family, to hurt so deeply at the thought of losing them.
That’s when it hit her. That was the exact connection she had with Spencer. The hurt she felt when she’d thought he was slipping away was a pain she had never known.
“I am so glad that I have you, Har.” He kissed her lips. “This weekend we’re starting a whole new chapter of our lives together. And I can’t wait.”
“I do love the sound of that. And just in time for Valentine’s Day.” A day that meant so much to them as a couple. It was their day, the day their relationship had officially begun.
Valentine’s Day was Monday, and even though she had a class and Spencer had to work, she was sure he had already planned something special. Hoping she was right, she had requested the day off of both of her jobs, just in case. She didn’t need much. All she needed was him.
She snickered as Spencer kissed the side of her mouth, then her jaw, and finally down her neck. Chills ran through her body.
Spencer wrapped his arms around her, and she giggled as his scruff tickled.
A knock at the door interrupted them.
Spencer groaned at the disruption. “Sounds like the pizza is here.”
“Good, I’m starving!” She shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, but I am. I haven’t eaten much today.”
Spencer sneered at her as he went to the door and retrieved the pizza.
The plates were packed away, so she grabbed some paper towels, and they took the pizza box to the couch with them.
“I’m hungry, too, so we’ll eat. But we have all night, and an apartment to ourselves.”
“True. But with everything packed away, there’s not much to do,” she teased, and began looking through her purse. “I might have a deck of cards in here, though.”
“Oh, don’t you worry. I have some ideas that won’t don’t require much.” Spencer winked at her as he took a bite of pizza.
