Page 22 of Stopping Short

I always imagined taking her on a date and getting to spend uninterrupted time with her. I thought she’d be my girlfriend before that happened. Now, I want to make her mine even more.

“Of course.”

“Thank you,” Harper whispers as soon as the waitress leaves our table.

“For what?”

“I don’t know! The dinner? The gift? The delicious dessert? The way you’ve made me feel like the most important person in the world tonight? All of it?”

“I'm just treating you the way you deserve to be treated.” I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.

“No, Jackson. You’re going above and beyond. You’re making me feel like I matter.”

“You do matter, Boots. You’re the most important person in my life.” Lifting her hand to my mouth, I press a soft kiss on her knuckles.

Chapter 15

Harper

After we got home last night, we watched movies until we both fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up this morning, Jackson was gone, but he left a note for me.

Boots,

I went back to my hotel to shower and change. Sleeping in dress pants wasn’t the greatest idea. Text me when you get up and we can figure out our day.

Jackson

P.S. I loved spending last night with you. I hope you enjoyed our night out and cuddling on the couch when we got home.

A smile spreads across my face when I read his note. It was a dream come true to spend my entire day with Jackson yesterday. Our dinner was better than I could ever imagine and sharing it with him was even better.

I heard our waitress talking to another waitress last night when I went to the restroom about how lucky I was to be with Jackson McLaren. I couldn’t help but smile because I knew exactly how lucky I was to spend the evening with him. Just the two of us. It was a dream come true.

Harper: I'm awake.

Jackson: Good. Do you want to go out for breakfast? I need to head home early this afternoon.

My heart sinks when I read his text. I don’t want him to go home. Not yet. I’ve been having the best weekend with him, even with how terrible Evan’s made it. I would deal with Evan every day for the rest of my life if it meant I could spend all of my time with Jackson.

Harper: Definitely! Give me twenty to get ready.

Jackson: Can I head over now? I have to be out of the hotel soon.

Harper: Of course! I’ll leave the door unlocked.

Hurrying into the bathroom, I strip out of my clothes and step under the hot water. I'm excited to see Jackson again, but I'm dreading him leaving. I wish he could stay here longer.

I'm just getting out of the shower and drying off when I hear the front door open and close. I smile to myself and move faster. After I have a towel wrapped around my body, I step out of the bathroom and into my bedroom.

I stop dead in my tracks when I find Evan standing in the middle of my room.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper, trying to keep distance between us. I don’t know why he’s here, but I don’t want him in my home.

“Well, I wanted to talk to you, but you keep avoiding me.”

“I'm not avoiding you, Evan! You were here yesterday. I heard what you wanted to say and then I asked you to leave. What more do you want from me?”

“I want you to take me back.”