Secret Plunge - Jasmin Miller Page 0,24

to catch a rare glimpse of blue winter sky.

“Yeah. I spilled some milk, and when I went to wipe it, Bacon decided it would be a great time to jump on the counter and dump the rest of the bowl.”

“Bacon, huh? That guy sounds like trouble.”

Harper chuckles. “He is. But he’s the only friend I have right now, so trouble it is.” She groans, and I imagine her brushing back some of her hair. “Ugh. Ignore what I said. I sound like a crazy cat lady.”

Does she not have any friends? Harper? The cute and cheery girl I met and instantly liked?

I know her best friend and mom are gone at the moment, her dad is as far away as I am, but does she not have anyone else?

I can’t ignore it. “You want to talk about it?”

Her sigh lasts several seconds. “I don’t want to bug you with my lame life.”

I turn around and sit on the window seat. “Harper, I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t mean it.”

“I’m whiny and lonely, that’s all. Just me and Bacon.”

That info takes a moment to sink in. She’s lonely. Why do I want to hop on the next airplane and comfort her?

She’s the mother of your unborn child, that’s why. You take care of the people in your life. Exactly like you did with your brother.

“How can I help?” The words rush out of my mouth, but they feel right.

I don’t have a lot of time to see my friends because we’re all busy with training and meets, but the thought of not having anyone around, especially when you’re in need of some company, feels wrong. I want to be there for Harper, become her friend. Or maybe we already are friends?

The sex didn’t make us automatic friends, even though it was incredibly intimate. But I did enjoy the time I spent with her before we went to my hotel room, and we’ve gotten to know each other better when she visited two weeks ago.

Our conversations. Our messages. We’ve both invited the other one into our lives, showing a sliver of who we are behind the façade we might uphold in public.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. Sorry. Ignore me.” Her voice sounds defeated.

Shit.

I clear my throat. “I hope this isn’t too awkward, but I’m here for you, okay? We’re in this together, and I’m not going to walk away. You hear me?”

“Okay.” Almost a whisper.

“Okay.” I nod to myself. “I’m here for you and the baby. It’s our baby.”

We’re both quiet.

And then, fuck it. “Harper, are you planning on staying in New York? I’m not trying to be rude, I swear, but if you don’t have anyone there . . .”

I give her some time to absorb my question. The implication.

Of course, I’d feel better having her close by. Having both of them close by.

Taking care of them from across the country seems like a major pain in the ass. Could I even be a good dad if I’m separated by almost three thousand miles?

“I could help you find a job over here.” I’m not sure if I’m pushing too much, but I have to try. If she tells me to back off, I will. “You said you have a communication degree and you last worked in accounting, right? That’s a good start to search. Unless you have something already, of course.”

No one can blame me for wanting to have my baby close by, right? Especially if I enjoy the mom’s company too.

A sniffle comes from the other end of the line.

Oh fuck.

“Harper.” I scrape a hand down my face. I’m such an asshole. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t say anything I didn’t already know. I’m just emotional. These hormones aren’t helping either. I’m not sure about anything at the moment to be honest. But thank you for asking. For caring.”

She’s right. I do care.

“Anytime. I meant every word I said. I’m here for you. I want to help and hate that you’re going through this by yourself.”

“Thanks, Ryan. That’s very nice of you.” She pauses. “This helps. I like talking to you.”

I close my eyes and sigh in relief. “Me too.”

I make her promise to let me know if she needs anything, or if she simply wants to talk when we hang up a few minutes later. Apparently, Harper really needs a shower. She’s definitely not holding back, that’s for sure.

And I like that about her.

I’m starting to like quite a few