Page 1 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

Chapter One

Harper

“ H arps, come on. Wake up...”

I grumble as I throw the blanket over my head, turning the comforter into a cocoon of warmth and sleep.

There is no way that it is morning. I swear I literally just put my Kindle down and closed my eyes.

The “one more chapter” mantra repeated until the next thing I knew, it was three a.m, and I had finished the whole book.

I slowly peek my head out of my blanket burrito to see the handsome face of my boyfriend, Dalton, looking down at me.

His dirty blond hair is nothing more than a wet mop on the top of his head, his piercing blue eyes framed by those Clark Kent glasses he wears so well.

When he first got them, I would tease him.

That was before I realized how sexy he looked with those glasses on.

Taking my time to appreciate the way his six foot two inch frame towers over me, I run my gaze along his bared broad chest. His stomach is toned, but not like rock hard abs, and don’t get me started on that defined V making its way down to the pajama pants hanging low on his hips.

I don’t understand how someone can look this good in the morning.

He leans down, using his thumb to wipe the corner of my lip. “Sorry you just got a little bit of drool right … here. Got it,” he says, pulling back. I gasp as I run my hand across my mouth. He tilts his head and barks a laugh.

“Ugh, you’re such an ass!” I whine, flinging the covers off myself and rolling out of bed.

He offers his hand and pulls me into his chest. I wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face into his chest. The smell of pine needles and cinnamon flood my senses, and my body goes slack as I relax. I swear, nothing smells better than Dalton.

We’ve been together since we were sixteen.

High school sweethearts get too much of a bad rap; we were told our relationship wouldn’t last. I had a moment where I believed that too.

Even though we attended different colleges, we came out stronger, proving everyone wrong.

Now, we rent this cute little house just outside of town, and it’s like our own personal little getaway from the big city.

The house sits in a quaint neighborhood where you know your neighbors.

We look out for one another, and the block parties are legendary.

Not to toot my own horn, but my potato salad has been a crowd favorite for three years now.

Every year I have to make sure I make a bigger batch than the year before.

We have our rhythm here.

I sigh happily as Dalton plants a kiss at the top of my head.

His hands run over mine, unclasping my grip from around his neck as he steps back.

I make a disgruntled noise at the loss of contact, pouting.

Scrubbing my face, I try to rub the exhaustion away as I mentally prepare to start my day.

“What time is it?” I ask from behind my hands.

A light chuckle rumbles from him as he responds.

“It’s nine-thirty. I was going to let you sleep a bit longer, but I got called into work.

” I reach my arms above my head, stretching my body while I pin Dalton with a look he knows well.

He gives me an exasperated look. “Please don't, Harps.”

But what does he expect? We had plans today and he’s canceling them because he got called into work. Again .

“I don’t know what to tell you, Harper. We have a huge project, and it needs to be perfect.”

“I’m sorry,” I sigh. “You’re right.” I step toward him, plastering my apology smile on my face. I press up on my toes to give him a kiss, but before I can, his hands grip my sides and he eases me backward. I stumble back slightly from the momentum. What the hell?

“It's fine,” he huffs. “Why don't you go take a bath or something. We can go out when I get back from work.” He takes a step forward and kisses me quickly on the forehead. Before I can respond, Dalton has walked out, leaving me alone in our bedroom. Weird.

He's been acting strange lately, but I can't put my finger on why.

As soon as I try to talk about things, he'll come home from work in a fantastic mood.

Bringing me flowers. Coming home with take out.

And when I ask him what brought the unusual behavior on?

Dalton just replies with a simple, “I thought I could save you from having to do the dishes after cooking supper tonight.”

Sighing, I look around. Our bedroom is simple.

A king size canopy bed, the walk-in closet, and the various touches across the room that make it ours.

The best part of this room? The master bathroom that is connected to the room, making escaping the world that much easier.

His and hers sinks lay along one side of the room, accented by grey and agate tiles that adds to the vibe.

But my favorite part of the bathroom is the beautiful clawfoot tub.

It’s so deep, the water covers my breasts and stomach while I lounge surrounded by warmth and lavender scented bubbles.

A tub like this was literally on my checklist of must haves when we were looking at places.

I love my baths. My body instantly relaxes when I submerge myself, and I slowly feel myself sink into bliss each time.

I’m in the kitchen with my “Dance Jamz” playlist in the background as I clean up after eating lunch. I was feeling the music so much that I moved onto the fridge. I don’t do a deep clean as often as I should, so I decided to do it now while the momentum is there.

Once all the contents of the fridge are on the kitchen island, I take a quick break to shoot off a random fact of the day to my best friend, Evie.

I can’t remember when I started this. I think it was a joke to get out of telling her something.

Whatever it was, it stuck, and I have an app I go on daily to get a new fact.

Satisfied, I grab the rest of the cleaning products from under the sink.

Harper : Did you know crocodiles can’t stick out their tongues?

I don’t have to wait long until my phone vibrates on the counter, telling me she’s responded.

Evie : Have I ever told you that you’re weird?

Harper: Multiple times, but I like the fun facts.

Evie : Can they seriously not stick out their tongues?

Harper : They can’t! Apparently it’s a membrane that holds their tongue down!

Evie : That's so strange lol I miss your face bestie, when can I see you!?

Harper : Maybe after supper? Dalton and I are supposed to do something this afternoon to make up for him ditching me this morning. Said we’d do something just the two of us.

Evie : Ugh fine, I’ll be over at seven.

Chuckling, I place the bucket in the sink, filling it with vinegar and hot water– I hate using chemicals when I don’t have to– I get to work cleaning my fridge. I don’t even know how much time has passed, but just as I finish, I hear the front door open and close.

“Hey babe!” I shout over my shoulder. I head to the sink to empty out the bucket and begin rinsing it out.

“Where did you want to go this afternoon? You know you didn’t really give me any details on what you wanted to do.

I know the apple farm is starting their harvest…

maybe we can go over there and collect apples and I’ll make apple crisp with fresh apples. I know it’s your fav— ”

But when I turn around, he isn’t there. I could have sworn I heard him walk this way, but he must have gone to the bedroom.

I shrug and begin to put all the food back in the fridge.

It takes me a bit longer to get everything put away but I get it done, dancing while I do it.

I’m so into the music I must have missed Dalton coming back into the room.

I’m admiring my organizational skills in my fridge, when I hear a thud behind me, followed by my name.

“Harper.”

My back straightens and I stop what I’m doing. Dalton doesn’t use my full name. Like ever.

Unless he’s mad.

I turn and my eyes connect with soulless orbs.

There is no trace of any emotion coming from his demeanor.

It's like he's shut every emotion off, detaching himself completely. Usually, I can anticipate this, but this moment has taken me by surprise. Warning bells begin to ring in my head. “What’s…uh… Is everything okay?”

This sardonic chuckle escapes from his lips before he shakes his head.

“No, everything is not okay, Harper.”

It’s then that I notice the bag by the front door. My heart rate instantly begins to race and my throat begins to tighten. What in hell is going on?!

“What do you mean? Did something with your work project go wrong?” My brain is spinning as I’m trying to figure out where this coldness is coming from.

Maybe he’s just tired from all the overtime he’s put in lately and wants to get out of town for the night?

Maybe this is just my brain playing tricks on me and he’s surprising me with a night away.

He mumbles something, but it sounds awfully close to Jesus Christ . Looking down at his feet, he shakes his head before he runs his hand through his hair and says, “I can’t do this anymore, Harper. I’m not happy. I’m done.”

I feel like I’ve been slapped across the face as the air whooshes out of my lungs. Am I hallucinating? Because surely I didn’t hear what I think I heard. My mouth is agape before I close it and open it again to try and say something. Anything.

But I think my brain is short circuiting.

“I... uh… What?” I finally ge t out.

“You can’t really be that dense, Harper. I haven’t been hiding my unhappiness here.”

Okay, ouch.

“I- I mean I noticed there was some tension but I didn’t think you were unhappy .

..” I say quietly. I begin to fidget with my hands, something I do often when I’m overwhelmed and holding in my emotions.

Then I get the telltale feeling of tears stinging the back of my eyes. I look up and quickly blink them away.