Page 79 of The Best Man: Unfinished Business

Chapter Fifty-two

Harper

Harper and Mia sat in his hotel’s cedar garden having tea.

They were having a daddy-daughter date. They snacked on plantain croquettes, loaded fries, and macaroons.

Mia didn’t always have a big appetite, but she liked to taste everything.

She clearly got her sophisticated and fearless palate from her mother.

Robyn had picked out a cute outfit for her: a white dress, petticoat, and beret that sat on the left side of her braids.

She looked like a little lady and the waitstaff treated her as such. “What else may we bring you, milady?”

She giggled but tried a proper British accent: “More lemonade, please,” she asked.

They simply nodded and humored her with, “Right away, madam.” She seemed so grown up sitting across from Harper, who’d put on his Sunday’s best, trimmed his beard, and carefully barbered his bald pate.

Mia was growing into a beautiful, worldly, and confident young lady.

Despite the circumstances that brought him to Accra, Harper was thankful for the unscheduled time he got to spend with Mia—no itinerary planned, no grand trips, amusement parks, or extravagant gifts.

Just time spent together. He vowed to come more than just every six weeks.

He could do that. He also told a local realtor to keep an eye out for a two-bedroom or a one-bedroom efficiency.

Something with a view. It could be a good investment because Accra was on the rise.

Plus, it would ultimately be cheaper than paying for a hotel every time.

He could stay for longer periods because as Murch (and Robyn) had told him long ago “you can write from anywhere.” And given last night’s brain dump and Unfinished Business pitch pages, that was no longer just a theory.

Robyn was also right that he didn’t belong in Accra.

This was Robyn’s safe space, not his. And he was determined to find his own.

Mia knew this would be their “goodbye for now” tea, but she wasn’t sad. “I’m gonna miss you, Daddy,” Mia said as she dipped her macaroon in her teacup before bringing it up to her mouth.

“Oh, honey, I’m gonna miss you too. Something terrible.” Harper put his hand on his heart speaking those sincere words. “I’m glad we got to spend some more time together. You are getting to be such a big, brilliant girl.”

Mia smiled bashfully at her dad’s compliments. “Thank you,” Mia said, studying him. She paused, like she was thinking, deciding about saying something. “Are you…going to be okay, Daddy?”

Harper cocked his head and then smiled at her. “You’re worried about me, baby?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “You’re all alone in New York.” Harper was touched deeply by his daughter’s sincerity. She had always been perceptive. Could she tell that he was out of sorts with companionship? “I want you to be happy, Daddy.”

“I’m happy, baby,” Harper reassured her. Mia looked at him dubiously. It was a look that Robyn would have given him. “You don’t think I’m happy?”

“I think you’d be happier if you weren’t alone,” she said. Harper thought of Jordan. He’d been thinking of Jordan. But it wasn’t time to tell Mia, not yet. But he hoped there would still be a need to. He grinned at Mia, marveling at the little woman in front of him.

“Girl, I’ll tell you, you are your momma’s child.”

“I’m serious, Dad.”

“I can tell.” Harper winked at her.

“Can you be that? Can you be happy?” Mia asked him.

“Listen to me: I am happy. Could I be happier? Yes. And I’m working on that,” Harper said. “But knowing how concerned you are for me makes it so much easier for me to get to happy. Thank you for that. It’s really sweet and it means a lot to me.”

“Okay. You’re welcome,” Mia said.

“I’m coming back next month too, okay? If you ever need me, call me. But no more crying wolf.” Mia folded her lips in on one another, looking like a cute brown Muppet.

“I’m really sorry about that, Daddy.” Mia looked down.

Harper took her chin and pulled it up so she faced him. “Hey. I know. Mommy and Daddy love you no matter what happens. Don’t ever be afraid to let us know how you feel, what you’re thinking. Even if it feels hard to talk about. Just know whatever it is, we can work it out,” Harper said.

Mia smiled. “Okay…” Then Mia studied him for a beat before asking, “Daddy, do you still love Mommy?”

Without hesitation Harper nodded. He hadn’t expected the question, but he probably should have.

It was important to assure Mia of the truth.

“I do. I still do. I’ll always love Mommy.

I would not be the person I am without Mommy.

But we’re not together anymore, Mia. That’s not going to change.

And that’s okay. We’re still a family. I’ll always be your daddy, she will always be your mommy,” Harper said.

“And you’re always going to be our Mia. You are the very best of Mommy and Daddy.

You are special, honey. You understand?” Mia nodded.

“I’m going to be fine, baby,” Harper said again, to Mia, and to himself.

Mia looked at him like she was trying to believe him but wasn’t convinced.

Harper paused and pushed himself to dig a little bit deeper.

“I…just think Daddy has to learn to really love himself,” he revealed. “To love and accept himself.”

“Is that hard?” Mia asks.

“Sometimes, baby,” Harper said. “Sometimes.”

Mia contemplated Harper’s honesty. Then she picked up her lemonade and swirled around the ice.

“You should love yourself, Daddy,” she insisted, then sipped. “Because I love you.”

Harper smiled at his daughter and picked up his iced tea.

“That’s really good advice, Mia,” Harper assured her. “I’m going to. I love you too.” Harper held up his glass of iced tea to toast and Mia followed suit.

“Milady,” Harper said.

“Mi’man…?” Mia said with a shrug.

“Mi’man?!” Harper said with a huge laugh, echoing through garden.

“I don’t know….”

And just like that, they continued their laughter and conversation well into the afternoon.