Page 90 of Shadows of Obsession

Oh my God, she did not just—

Harper chuckled, patting my back with entirely too much amusement. "Breathe, Anna. Just breathe."

"Everything okay out here?"

Jaxon's voice came from the corner of the porch, low and edged with concern. I looked up through watering eyes to see him standing there, arms crossed over his chest, jaw tight as he watched us. My coughing had drawn his attention, and he seemed ready to step in if needed.

His eyes, dark and searching in the dim light, flickered with concern as they moved between Harper and me, trying to assess the situation. Great. Perfect timing.

"Fine," I choked out, forcing a strained smile as I glanced at Jaxon, still trying to catch my breath. My voice came out rough, scratchy.

The tension in his shoulders seemed to ease fractionally as he saw me recover. He gave me a small nod, just a dip of his chin, before turning back toward the grill area. His steps were slow and deliberate, almost reluctant, as if he wanted to make sure everything was truly okay before walking away. I watched him go, wondering if he just wanted an excuse to avoid being near me.

I finally caught my breath, the coughing subsiding as I took a deep inhale to steady myself. The cool air burned slightly as it slid down my throat. I gave Harper a light shove, my eyes wide with disbelief.

"Seriously, Harper?" I hissed, keeping my voice low so Jaxon wouldn't overhear. "You can't just ask things like that!"

Harper shrugged, that mischievous smirk still firmly in place, completely unrepentant. "Hey, just trying to help a friend out. Sometimes a little nudge in the right direction is all it takes." She waggled her eyebrows playfully, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

I shook my head, unable to hide a small grin despite my embarrassment. Harper had a way of lightening the mood, even if it meant saying something completely inappropriate. It was one of the reasons I valued her friendship so much. She could find humor in the most awkward situations and wasn't afraid to push boundaries. Even boundaries that probably shouldn't be pushed.

But as much as I appreciated her comic relief, I couldn't deny that Harper's outrageous comment held a kernel of truth. Something had changed between Jaxon and me, a subtle shift in our dynamic that I couldn't quite place. We'd slept in the same bed that night, wrapped ineach other's arms, and it had felt perfect. Safe. Right. And then he'd gone to show the police his cabin, and when he came back... Everything was different.

I sighed, trying to think of a way to articulate my worries without sounding like I was overthinking things, even though I knew I was. It wasn't just the recent tension with Jaxon. It was the uncertainty of our relationship, the sense that we were both tiptoeing around something we couldn't ignore much longer. The fear gnawed at me that maybe I'd misread everything. That maybe what felt earth-shattering to me had been just temporary to him.

"Maybe I should go home tonight," Harper suggested, her tone shifting to something more serious as she studied my expression. The teasing light in her eyes dimmed, replaced by genuine concern. "I think you should try to talk to him. He won't open up while I'm here."

I shook my head automatically, the response instinctive. "It's already after nine, Harper. It'll take you over an hour to get home. I don't want you driving that late." My voice was laced with concern, but it wasn't just about safety. Harper's presence was a steadying force, a buffer between me and the conversation I was terrified to have. As long as she was here, I could avoid confronting whatever was happening between Jaxon and me. A part of me knew I was being a coward.

Harper was undeterred. She leaned forward, placing her hand over mine where it rested on the arm of my chair. Her touch was warm, grounding. "I'm willing to do it if it helps you figure things out," she said softly, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

Her eyes were gentle, filled with the kind of compassion only a close friend could offer. "You look stressed, Anna. And I don't want to be in the way if you need to have a serious talk with him."

The tenderness in her voice and the warmth of her hand were enough to make my eyes sting with unshed tears. I blinked them back quickly, refusing to cry on the porch where Jaxon might see.Don't you dare cry.

I stood from my chair as Harper grabbed her phone off the table and pulled her jacket from the back of her seat. The finality of her movements left no room for argument. Harper was decisive once she made up her mind, and I knew she wouldn't take no for an answer.

We hugged tightly, and I held on perhaps longer than necessary. The embrace felt like a warm blanket on a cold night, her arms strong and sure around me. Harper lingered, too, her strength a silent reminder that I wasn't alone in this, even if it sometimes felt that way.

"Take care, okay? And call me if you need anything," she said, her voice warm and comforting, as if she were trying to infuse strength into me before leaving. "I mean it. Anytime—day or night."

"Of course," I replied, managing a faint smile to break through my worry.

Harper gave a small wave as she descended the porch steps, her car keys jingling softly in her hand. I watched her cross the yard, the headlights flashing as she unlocked her car. She paused before getting in, turning back to give me an encouraging nod. Her expression seemed to say,you can do this.

I stood on the porch, wrapped in my jacket, and watched her taillights disappear down the driveway. The red glow faded into the distance, swallowed by the night, and suddenly I felt very alone.

Now it was just me. Me and the silence, and the looming conversation with Jaxon that felt more daunting by the second. My heart hammered in my chest, anxiety crawling up my throat. The thought returned, stronger this time.What if he regrets it? What if he regrets me?

But Harper was right. If we didn't address the tension between us, it would only get worse. It would fester like an untreated wound until there was nothing left but pain and distance.

I took a deep breath, the cool night air filling my lungs, and turned toward the house.

Time to face this. Whateverthisis.

All I had to do was walk in there and ask him what was wrong. Simple. So why did it feel impossible?

I moved along the porch, the wooden boards creaking beneath my feet as I headed toward the side of the house to check if Jaxon was still cleaning up. The night air was crisp, biting through my jacket and sending a shiver up my spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. I pulled the fabric tighter around myself, but it didn't help.