Chapter 25 - Harper and Me
There was attraction.
Pretending otherwise would be dishonest.
It started after she no longer worked for me.
Not immediately.
Not while she lived in my house.
Not while her case depended on my resources.
At least I hope not.
Maybe pieces existed earlier and we ignored them.
Three months after she left Ashford employment, we had coffee.
Public.
No lawyers.
No case discussion for twenty minutes.
Then Harper said:
“This feels weird.”
“Yes.”
“You were my boss.”
“Yes.”
“You’re Gabriel Ashford.”
“Unfortunately.”
She smiled.
Then:
“I’m not ready.”
I had not asked.
Still:
“Okay.”
Six months later we had dinner.
Not a date, allegedly.
Margaret called it a date.
Harper called Margaret invasive.
At the end I said:
“I like you.”
Harper looked at me.
“That is inconvenient.”
“Yes.”
“I need you to understand something.”
“Tell me.”
“If we ever do anything, I leave when I want.”
“Yes.”
“I keep my apartment.”
“Yes.”
“You do not pay my bills.”
“Yes.”
“You do not investigate people I date.”
I stared.
“Harper.”
She laughed.
“Had to.”
“Fair.”
Then:
“No security following me unless I ask or there is a documented immediate threat.”
“Yes.”
“No deciding my job.”
“Yes.”
“No making Noah think he owes you.”
That one mattered.
“Yes.”
“And if I say stop?”
“I stop.”
She watched me for a long time.
Then:
“You’re very good at saying yes now.”
“I had expensive lessons.”
We did not kiss that night.
Two months later we did.
Slow.
No mansion move-in.
No engagement.
No savior marriage.
Our relationship existed because Harper could leave.
May you like
That was the only version worth having.
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