Page 87

“They met on holidays. It’s new,” Axel tells her.
“I love it.” Olivia grins before someone grabs her and pulls her and Axel away.
“I’m starved, I’m going to find some food,” Derrick states.
“Me too,” Christian says as they disappear together.
“Did you want to go for a walk?” Harper asks. I nod and follow her. We walk outside and that’s when I realize we are on top of the fricken Eiffel Tower. “I wanted to show you this view.”
“It’s beautiful,” I say, but I’m not looking at the rooftops of Paris, I’m staring at her. She turns and notices. “I’m the luckiest man to be standing here on top of the Eiffel Tower with you,” I tell her.
“I’m feeling pretty lucky, too,” she says, nudging me. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.”
“You’ve done a lot for me, too,” I say.
“Let’s enjoy this summer and I hope we can stay friends after it’s all over.”
Oh. My stomach sinks. “Of course,” I say, putting a smile on my face.
“Guess we better get inside,” she says.
“I might just take a moment out here if that’s okay?” I ask.
Her brows pull together, but she nods and walks back inside. I stare out across the rooftops, the lights twinkling before me, and it’s spectacular.
“Hey, what are you doing out here by yourself?” Christian asks.
“Just taking in the view,” I tell him.
“It’s pretty spectacular.” He grins, joining me. “Everything all good? You looked lost in your thoughts.”
“Was it that noticeable?”
“Only to a guy who’s been in that same position before.” Christian smiles, nudging me. “It’s about Harper?” he asks. I nod. “Are you thinking it’s all too soon after your ex to be dating again?”
I shake my head. “What I felt for Cynthia is nothing at all like the way I feel about Harper.”
“Oh,” Christian answers in surprise. “You’ve fallen for her, but she’s not there and you’re freaking out?”
“Kind of. Please don’t say anything,” I ask him.
He shakes his head and pretends to zip his lips. “Been there before, brother, I get it.”
“She only wants to date for the summer. Her ex was harassing her, and I offered to help keep him off her back and …”
“You fell for her.”
“Yeah. But she only sees this as a fling,” I confess to him.
“And you see it as more?” he asks.
“Yeah. But I know if I say anything she’s going to run,” I explain.
“Vanessa was my best friend, and she never wanted to risk losing that friendship by us dating, but in the end, it ripped us apart until the universe had other plans. I wouldn’t change our story for anything, but I wish I had fought for her more andshowed her earlier that I was the right man for her instead of wasting all those years with my ego and chasing skirt. Harper has had a bad run with men. She’s going to be wary like Ness was. If she is what you want then you’re going to have to have patience, show her she can trust you, be the man that none of the others could be.”
That’s pretty sound advice. “Thanks, man. I appreciate the advice. My worry is because she keeps mentioning our age difference.”
Christian nods. “I understand that. I’m going to assume she doesn’t think you’re ready for babies and shit. Because we men have all the time in the world, but unfortunately, our ladies don’t. This is where you must think is this the woman you want to be the mother of your children? Then decide if you’re in or out because it’s not fair to waste her time.”