Page 37

37

HARPER

I step back, my hands on my hips as I survey the living room.

Satisfaction and pride blooms inside as I look at the clean walls the contractors are currently painting.

The evidence of the destruction is gone, thanks to Ford, Connor, and the workers who handled it so gracefully and professionally.

We’ve checked the house, taken pictures, and assessed the destruction.

Thankfully, no severe damage was done that cannot easily be repaired.

Ford had already ordered a new coffee table to replace the broken one, even though I told him it was unnecessary.

I didn’t expect him to listen.

He’d already made up his mind.

“Once we’re finished here, we’ll shower and change. I’m taking us out to dinner.” Ford’s deep voice pulls me from my musings.

Connor looks up from his phone. “Are we meeting Stryker there?”

He nods. “Yup. I told him to join us and bring his woman.”

His gaze moves to mine. “You’ll like her.”

I grin. “I’m sure I will. By the way, is it okay if Allie?—”

The door flies open.

Connor grabs the hockey stick, swinging wildly.

Allie screams and ducks as the stick connects with the door.

“Stop!” I yell. “It’s my friend.”

“Jesus Christ.” Allie is squatting down, her hands over her head. “Is it safe? Why is a hockey-stick-wielding maniac trying to decapitate me?”

Ford grabs the stick, smacking Connor in the ass with it. “You need to keep your hands off this thing, jackass.”

“Hey. I was defending us.”

“Yeah. From her five-foot-two friend. Real threat.” Ford rolls his eyes, keeping his hand tightly on the hockey stick as he locks eyes with me.

I hover by Allie, my gaze moving back to her, checking to make sure Connor didn’t hit her.

“I’m fine.” She slowly removes her hands from her head, her eyes searching for the culprit who nearly beheaded her.

When they land on Connor, she points a long, red nail at him. “What the fuck is your problem, dude?”

He immediately becomes defensive. “What the fuck is my problem? You waltz through the door of a crime scene without knocking?—”

I help Allie to her feet.

“What crime scene?” She looks around, her eyes landing on the broken coffee table. “Other than a broken table, everything appears fine.”

“It wasn’t when we got here.” Connor takes a step closer, holding up both of his hands. “Sorry I nearly took your head off. Don’t barge in like a criminal.”

Ford snorts, muttering, “Dumb ass,” loud enough that I hear.

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“Connor.” He slowly extends his hand to Allie.

She eyes him wearily. “Allison. But my friends call me Allie.”

“Hey, Allie. It’s nice?—”

“I didn’t say you were my friend, you hockey stick-wielding maniac.”

Connor chuckles. “So you’re saying I’m adept with my… stick. ”

I groan as Allie makes a disgusted face at him. “I hope you don’t wield your dick around like that, or you’ll get it cut off.”

Ford laughs. “I’m shocked that hasn’t happened yet.”

“Ouch.” Connor cups himself, shooting Allie a dark look. “Leave my frank and beans alone.”

I crack up, shaking my head as my eyes meet Ford’s.

He shrugs, trying not to laugh, but gives in to the craziness.

“Your junk is probably the size of a frank and two beans,” Allie quips, her hands on her hips as she looks at Ford. “You must be the man turning my best friend inside out.”

She smiles, walks over to him, and extends her hand. “I’m Allie. Her bestie.”

He takes her hand, his eyes moving from me to her. “Hi, Allie.”

“You hurt her, and you’ll have me to deal with. I’m a lot more effective at getting shit done than your hockey stick waving maniac friend over there.”

Ford snorts. “I can believe it. It’s not hard to be more competent than Connor.”

“Hey.” Connor marches over to them. “I’m loyal and protective.”

“And dumb as a box of rocks,” Allie quips. “News flash. So am I. I just don’t nearly kill my friend’s bestie with a hockey stick.”

Connor smirks, waving a hand. “Semantics.”

Allie scrunches her brows. “No, not semantics. Facts. You nearly beheaded me with a stick.”

“But I didn’t. I clubbed the door instead.”

I turn away, burying my face in Ford’s chest as the laughter rolls out.

This whole day has been so chaotic, and it feels good to release all the pent-up emotion in the form of humor.

Ford wraps his arms around me, joining in on my laughter. “These two are probably going to kill one another.”

I laugh harder. “My money is on Allie.”

Ford laughs harder. “I’d normally agree… but I’m seeing something on Connor’s face. My money’s on him.”

I pull back, looking at Connor over my shoulder. “Oh, no. He can’t fall for her. She has a boyfriend.”

“How serious is it?”

I bite my lip. “They’ve only been dating for a few months. He travels a lot for his job.”

“I predict he’ll be a thing of the past. Connor has that determined look on his face.”

My gaze moves to him as Connor and Allie continue bickering behind us. “Allie’s really stubborn.”

“So is Connor. Once he sets his mind on something, he always gets it.”

Ford cups my face, a smirk curling his lips. “Like I did with you.”