Page 42 of Stopping Short

I kiss her again, getting lost in our kiss. The world ceases to exist around me and I'm ok with that. Escaping for a little bit sounds heavenly.

Chapter 25

Harper

After Jackson leaves, I give myself a few moments to come down from the high of kissing him. I'm not sure I’ll ever be the same after that kiss. I’ll be thinking about him even more than I already have been, and that seems almost impossible.

As I push through the door to the kitchen, three sets of eyes snap up to stare at me.

“Oh my gosh! You guys kissed!” Sophia squeals, clapping her hands.

“Girl, chill out! You’re going to burst an eardrum if you keep squealing like that. Ears aren’t made for that decibel.” Emma covers her ears and glares at Sophia.

“I never said we kissed,” I say softly, trying my hardest to deny it, but I know it won't work. Not with them.

“Oh, please!” Bella rolls her eyes. “You have a ‘just been kissed’ glow and there are hearts practically floating out of your eyes. He clearly just kissed you like you’ve never been kissed before.”

“You know, that’s how you know if he’s the one,” Sophia says so matter-of-factly.

“What do you mean?” Emma slowly lowers her hands. I'm pretty sure she’s worried Sophia will get excited and squeal all over again.

“Well, let’s use Harper and Jackson as an example.” She motions towards me.

“Let’s not,” I groan.

“When you kissed Evan, did it feel anything like that kiss you just shared with Jackson?”

“Not even close.” I shake my head.

“Exactly. Because Evan isn’t your ‘it guy’.”

All three of them grin. Their Uncle Cole always called their Aunt Sammie his ‘it girl’. He says he knew she was it for him and there was no reason to fight it. They belonged together.

“Ugh, I want to find my ‘it guy’,” Bella groans, a pout settling on her lips.

“Me too,” Emma makes the same face. “It’s not fair that both of you found them and we can’t.” She motions between her and Bella.

“Maybe you need to go visit a small town in the middle of nowhere,” Sophia teases.

“You said all the cuties are taken in Maple Springs.” Emma narrows her eyes.

“Oh, they are. But there’s more than one small town in this country. Go find another one. I'm sure they’ll have some cuties who are single. If not, move on to the next small town.” Sophia shrugs.

She met Peck while she was visiting her cousin in a small town in the middle of nowhere. They hit it off and he happily followed her when she went home.

“Why does this sound like an awful reality show?” I laugh. “They just travel from one small town to the next until they find the love of their life?”

“I mean I’d totally watch that show.” Sophia smirks.

We talk and laugh for the next few hours, all while working and getting over a thousand things made for the game tonight. I'm exhausted by the time we’re finished.

“Man, you weren’t joking when you said you’d work me to the bone.” I gather my hair into a high pony and secure it with a scrunchie.

“Ha! That’s nothing. You should see the days we have to stock both stadiums and we have birthday parties or a wedding too.” Emma’s eyes are wide as she shakes her head. “It’s like ten times worse, especially when someone gets sick and can’t work.” She makes a face at Sophia.

“Oh my gosh! It was one time! It’s not my fault I got pregnant and had horrible morning sickness.” Sophia rolls her eyes.

“Then I’ll yell at Peck. It’s definitely his fault you got pregnant!” Emma says.