Eventually, after dinner, we parted ways for the night. I gave Ava a big kiss on the forehead and then kissed Harper on the cheek. “Thanks so much for this,” I said quietly.
“Thank you for the flowers,” Harper said, her voice just as soft. “And for everything.” She glanced down at Ava and smiled. I squeezed her hand lightly and then started away. I’d see them both again in a couple of days, according to the schedule we’d drawn up.
When I got home, Stone was lounging on the couch. “Dude, where’ve you been lately?” he asked curiously. “You’re pretty much never here anymore.”
“Work’s been busy during the week,” I told him, flopping down into one of the armchairs. “George and I are starting to get that new place up and running. Or rather, I’m trying to get it running, while George finishes setting everything in order over at the old place. Apparently, my replacement over there isn’t quite as quick with training as I was, so George is thinking he may need to hire someone else to help pick up the slack.”
“Sure,” Stone said, nodding. “But it’s Sunday.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Today I spent all day with Harper and her daughter. Or rather, with Harper and our daughter.”
“What?” Stone asked in surprise. “That little girl that I’ve seen her out there playing with sometimes, she’s yours?”
“Yeah,” I told him. “I’m kind of still in shock about it. But in a good way.” I shrugged. “Harper and I slept together when she was over in Kuwait. Totally against the rules. But she apparently got pregnant, and she never told me.”
“And you just happened to bump into her again, out here?” Stone asked, shaking his head. “That’s nuts, man. Small world.”
“Small world,” I agreed, leaning back and looking up at the ceiling.
“So are you two tying the knot now or what?”
“Nah, we’re not there yet,” I said. “She doesn’t even want to be romantic at the moment in case it screws up something between Ava and me. But I think it’s only a matter of time.”
“I’d hope so,” Stone said. “She’s hot. And you’re not so bad-looking yourself. I gotta live vicariously through you.”
I laughed and threw a throw pillow over at him. “Don’t you dare start picturing me naked, bro,” I told him.
Stone laughed. Eventually, his face sobered again. “So how are you feeling about all of it?” he asked.
“It’s an adjustment,” I said finally. “I’m super happy to see Harper again. And our daughter, Ava, is the absolute cutest thing you could imagine. I used to think that I didn’t want to have kids, but Ava makes me rethink that. She’s great.”
“I can tell you really care about both of them,” Stone said, smirking at me. “You’ve got that mushy gushy, in-love look to your face.”
I laughed. “I do,” I admitted.
“I’m really happy for you, man. Sounds like your shit’s really coming together.”
“What about you?” I asked. I realized Stone and I hadn’t really talked that much since he was in that car accident.
He sighed. “You know, same old for me. No hot chicks and not loving my job. But at least I have one.” He shrugged. “I mean, working in a restaurant ain’t great, but at least it’ll pay the bills. For the most part. If I cut back on the alcohol.”
I snorted. Before I could respond, though, there was a knock on the front door. I frowned. “Are you expecting someone? Pizza delivery?”
“I wish,” Stone groaned. “Hey, you go answer it, and I’m going to look at having a pizza delivered.”
“Sure,” I said, chuckling.
My laughter died when I opened the door, though. Of all the people who might have been there, Harper was about the last person I would have expected. “Hey,” I said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Harper grabbed two fistfuls of my shirt, pulling me down toward her and kissing me roughly. The angle was all wrong, our noses bumping against each other’s and our teeth clacking. Just as quickly as she started the kiss, she released me, giving me a little push away from her, her eyes blazing. Then, she pushed past me, stomping into the house.
I closed the door slowly, as if in a trance, and followed after her.
“I guess I’ll make myself scarce for a bit,” Stone said as we reached the living room. He disappeared into his room, shutting the door carefully behind him.
“What’s up?” I asked Harper. She was starting to worry me now. “Is everything all right with Ava? Di
d I do something wrong today?”