Harper sighed. “I just don’t understand him. How can he say he doesn’t love me and doesn’t want me around and then do all this?”
“He’s scared, Harper. I think you bring out feelings in him that are bigger than what he can handle.”
“I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.”
“You can imagine how many different versions of the story I’ve already heard so I’m pretty anxious to hear yours. Luke was sporting a pretty nice bruise on his jaw.”
Harper covered her face with her hands. “I went to the gym and tried to run until it was funny, but I got too tired. So I’m still in the pissed off and embarrassed phase.”
“Well, why don’t you grab the bottle of wine in the fridge and we’ll drink until it’s all funny.”
Harper obliged and grabbed two wine glasses out of the cabinet. She filled them both and handed one to Joni before hugging her. “You’re the best, Joni. I really, really, really appreciate everything that you’ve done for me.”
Joni hugged her back, hard. “Oh honey, right back at ya. Now come on, let’s eat, drink, and be merry.”
They took their soup into the living room where a fire crackled in the fireplace and Harper filled Joni in on the grocery store incident. She left out the mention of Melissa’s phone call.
“They were throwing punches and slamming each other all over the cooler. There was glass and beer everywhere and they kept going. Thank goodness for Ty. He broke it up fast. Linc stopped right away, but Luke kept coming, so Ty punched him right in the face. And then we all had to do the walk of shame out of the cooler and face half the town.”
Harper pulled her feet up under her and spooned up more soup. “It was the first time I’d seen him since ... since.”
“And he finds you in Linc’s arms, smiling up at him. Oh that’s too good,” Joni snickered.
“He thought we were making out!”
“Honey, it’s better that he sees you in the arms of a drop-dead gorgeous fireman than moping around in your sweats with ‘I’ll shower next week’ hair.’”
“Excellent point.”
“He got to see exactly what he was pushing you into. A life without him.”
“It was so hard to see him. I just can’t look at him and not love him. Why can’t I just accept it and move on gracefully. You know, like an actual adult?”
Joni laughed into her wine. “Harper, I think you proved today that you’re handling it more maturely than he is. You didn’t throw a hissy fit that involved the police.”
“That’s true. Do you think he and Ty will make up? I feel like I caused a lot of trouble in the family today.”
Joni patted her leg. “They’re men. I’m sure they’ve already made up with beer and meat.”
“You are so wise when it comes to men. Do you think you’ll ever dip your toes back into that pool again?”
“It just so happens that I have a dinner date tomorrow night.”
“What?” Harper sat up so fast she almost bobbled her soup. “Who?”
“A gentleman named Frank Barry. I believe you may have met him.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“You and Angry Frank? How did that happen?”
“Well, a long time ago, Frank was my high school sweetheart. We only dated a short time, but it was memorable.”
“Are you the reason he never got married?” Harper gasped.
Joni waved it away. “I doubt that very much. But I am looking forward to dinner with him. I asked him, by the way. I ran into him at the diner when I was picking up lunch today.”
“Good for you! What are you going to wear?”
“Probably something warm since it’s so damn cold.”
“Good thinking. See, running into old flames is what you do in Benevolence. I can’t stay here. Luke can’t even look at me without going all Hulk smash in front of Georgia Rae of all people. And I can’t look at him without wanting to kiss him and slap him until he realizes what an idiot he’s being.”
“Don’t let one bad trip to the grocery store scare you away from Benevolence, Harper.”
Harper picked up her glass of wine and sipped. “I keep thinking that if this is how he reacts when he sees me with another man, how am I going to feel when I see him with someone else? I don’t think I could take it. It’s for the best. Distance will heal us both.” She hoped.
“I wish you’d stay.”
“I wish I could, too. Do you think you’d be willing to come visit me when I’m settled?”
“I would love to. I promise I will. Especially if you move someplace warmer.”