gorgeous as always, Harper.” Sandy threw her arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. Stepping back, her gaze dropped to the splint on Harper’s wrist. “You can even make a cast look sexy.”
Rolling her eyes, Harper quickly hung the other clothes back into the closet before getting her small black purse. Placing her wallet, keys, and phone inside, she startled as Sandy took the purse from her hands and shoved something inside.
“Did you stick condoms in my purse?”
Sandy huffed. “Always be prepared.”
“I’m not having sex tonight!”
Sandy rolled her eyes. “That’s the point about being prepared. No one says you have to... but if you choose to, then nothing’s stopping you.”
Harper’s lips began to curve into a gentle smile. “Sean seems perfectly capable of being prepared for anything.”
Her smile wide, Sandy winked. “I knew I’d like him!” She walked closer, wrapped her arms around Harper, and offered a tight squeeze. “I’m happy for you, honey.”
“Oh, Sandy. I’ve just met him. This is nothing more than a first date. And you know how first dates go… they often end up being the one and only date.”
“I know... believe me, I’m the queen of first dates. But I get a different feeling about this.”
Shaking her head, she said, “I hate to put too much stock into what this date may or may not be. Right now, I like what I know about him, and I just want to get to know more.” Holding the gaze of her best friend, she added, “And that’s what I’d like for you, too.”
Sandy laughed. “Oh, my goodness. You know me… I’m just ready for a good time.”
“Sandy, this is me. You don’t have to pretend with me.”
Sighing, her shoulders slumped, and Sandy nodded. “I know. I just don’t know that I’m cut out for more than a few laughs.”
“One day you’ll find a prince.”
Sandy snorted. “A prince? Hell, I’d settle for just a good man.”
“There are good men out there. Maybe you’re just not looking in the right places.”
Sandy’s shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. “Maybe I’d like somebody to look for me.” A sad specter moved through her eyes, then, giving her head a shake, Sandy brightened when the security buzzer rang.
Harper buzzed Sean up, and a moment later she threw open the door, allowing him to come in. His eyes were locked on her, and he smiled. “You’re beautiful.”
Blushing, her gaze was devouring him. Dressed in dark slacks and a deep blue shirt, he had paired these with a lighter blue tie. Instead of his suit jacket, he wore a black leather jacket, giving off a casual sense of style as well as looking hot as sin.
“I think the way you two are looking at each other is my cue to leave,” Sandy quipped.
Jerking out of her musings, Harper blushed. “Sean, I’d like you to meet my very best friend, Sandy. Sandy, this is Sean McBride.”
Sean dragged his gaze away from Harper, smiled at Sandy, and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Sandy grinned. “Likewise.” Moving to Harper and giving her a hug, she said, “Have fun, kids. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” With a final wink, she laughed, walking out the door.
“You really do look absolutely beautiful,” Sean said, taking her light wool jacket from her hands and holding it out.
He assisted as she slid her arms into the coat sleeves and then held open her door, ushering her through. He checked to make sure her door was locked, and as they turned to walk down the hall, Daniel came out of his apartment.
He looked surprised as his gaze moved between Harper and Sean. She introduced the two men, then noticed the hammer in Daniel’s hand. “Don’t tell me you’re having to work this evening?”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “It’s time to earn some more pie.” As Harper burst into laughter, Daniel nodded and said, “Have a nice time.”
As Sean and Harper walked out of the building heading to his SUV, she explained Daniel’s comment. “He’s the paid handyman for the apartment building, but a few of the older, single women make sure to tip him in food. I’m not sure if they’re hoping to get lucky or just want to make sure he keeps coming around!”
“Well, while he heads to someone’s apartment for his dessert, we’re going to the Inner Harbor for our food.” Sean offered his hand, assisting her into his vehicle.
He hesitated as she buckled in, their faces close, and she breathed him in, relishing