Pretend You're Mine(105)

She locked her legs around him to keep him inside of her. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.

“Never again, baby.”

He rolled over so she was on top of him and stroked whatever bare skin his hands could find.

“I don’t know if I like you running with other men dressed like that. Remind me to get you some really baggy sweats.”

“I run with Aldo. Not every man wants to drag me behind a tree and ravage me,” she teased.

“Any man with a dick and half a brain would have those thoughts.” He pinched her hip as he helped her work her running tights back up. “Let’s go home so we can do this for the rest of the day.” His voice was husky as he placed a kiss to the flat of her stomach.

“We will, but first we have to make a pit stop.” She grinned at the thought of the surprise Luke’s family was about to get.





CHAPTER FORTY-ONE


They pushed the glass door of the diner open and Harper spotted their group. A weekly breakfast had taken shape after Luke left. The participants varied depending on schedules, but today, they had to lay claim to a table plus a booth to accommodate the breakfast crowd.

“Sorry I’m late! Do we have room for another,” Harper said as she pulled Luke with her. She watched with pleasure as Claire looked up to greet her and froze. A shriek exploded from Sophie’s lips as she frantically climbed out of the booth over a stupefied Ty holding Josh. Claire shoved her chair back, almost tripping Sophie as they fought to get to Luke first.

Harper let go of Luke’s hand and stepped back as the women rushed him.

“For Pete’s sake, you just saw the girl two days ago, what’s all the ...” Charlie turned in his seat to see what all the commotion was.

Spotting his wife and daughter wrapped around Luke, he stood slowly. James jumped into the fray hugging his brother and the diner patrons broke into applause.

Charlie put his arm around Harper’s shoulders. “Good surprise, kiddo.”

She wrapped an arm around his waist. “I had no idea. He surprised me in the park on my run with Aldo the Sneak over there.” She jerked a thumb in Aldo’s direction.

Aldo winked from his seat with Gloria grinning next to him.

Charlie cleared his throat and leaned in. “You got twigs and leaves in your hair.” He winked and made his way over to Luke, leaving Harper frantically combing through her ponytail.

Wiping away tears, Claire and Sophie stepped back and let Luke and Charlie have their moment.

“Dad.” Luke extended his hand.

“Son.” Charlie took his hand and yanked Luke in for a hug. “Welcome home.”

Charlie released Luke and Harper saw shock register when Luke realized who the next person in line to greet him was.

“Joni.” Luke said quietly. His gaze flew to Harper’s face and she saw a war of emotions wash over him.

“Hi Luke,” Joni said quietly. “Welcome home.” She took a deep breath and opened her arms to embrace him.

Harper sniffled and Claire put a steadying hand on her shoulder as they watched Luke stiffen at Joni’s touch and then carefully put his arms around her.

Luke’s gaze never left Harper’s face.

“I’m so sorry,” Joni whispered into his shoulder.

Harper squeezed Claire’s hand. “Why don’t you two take a minute to talk and I’ll order you a coffee, okay Luke?”

Luke stepped back from Joni’s embrace and into Harper’s space, cupping her face gently in his hands. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered so that only she could hear.

Harper pressed her lips together and gave him a teary nod.

“Go talk, I’ll be here when you get back.” He leaned in as if he was going to kiss her and at the last second changed his mind. He dropped a chaste peck on her cheek instead and turned to hold the door open for Joni.

Harper sat down with the rest of the group and tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. This is what needed to happen for both of them. Regardless of what it meant for her, Joni and Luke needed this to move on.

Claire claimed her attention, demanding to know why she had leaves in her hair.

***

Luke hunched his shoulders against the chill on the steps of the diner and shoved his hands in his pockets. He was the one who was supposed to do the surprising, yet here he was talking to his dead wife’s mother. How had his past and present collided while he was gone? And what the hell did it mean for all of them?

“I had no idea you were home,” Joni started. “Otherwise I would have given you and your family space.”

“You are always welcome, Joni,” Luke said, skating a hand over the back of his head.

“You’re probably wondering what I’m doing here with your family.” She cracked a smile. “At least, I would be if I were in your shoes.”