A Brush with Love(93)

A bus was objectively the worst possible form of transportation for a romantic gesture. It was also an awful place to sober up. The air was stale, the seats sticky, and the jostling of the vehicle did nothing to help Harper’s rattling nerves. For two and a half hours, while her friends joked and laughed, all Harper could think was Oh shit. What am I doing?

By the time they descended the bus steps and set foot on the sticky New York pavement, Harper was convinced this was the worst idea she’d ever had.

“Hey,” Thu snapped. “Look at me,” she said, bending to catch Harper’s eyes and flicking a finger between them. “What are you thinking right now?”

“That I’m going to throw up,” Harper answered honestly.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Harper. Do you love Dan?”

Harper’s spine straightened. “Yes.”

“Good. This is your moment. Don’t fuck it up.”

Harper stared at her friend for a second before nodding, a smile cracking across her face. This was her moment. It was scary and terrifying and almost awful to love someone this much. She couldn’t wait to tell him.

“Come on,” Thu said, pulling up directions on Alex’s phone. “It’s only a mile away.”

“A mile?” Indira said, looking down at her heels and dress before shooting a glance at everyone else’s. “Should we get a cab?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Thu said over her shoulder, already trotting up the block. Harper was in step with her, a swirling sense of nervousness and excitement creating a kaleidoscope of happy emotions in her chest.

None of them was dressed for a run through the city, least of all Lizzie, whose six-inch heels only allowed her to cover about four inches with every step. But it didn’t matter; they tore through the streets, an invisible tether pulling Harper closer to some exhilarating pinnacle she didn’t quite understand but couldn’t wait to reach.

They weaved through crowds and piles of trash, the energy of the city pulsing around them. Harper was lost in her thoughts on what she’d say to Dan when a shriek from Lizzie cut through her mind.

“Oh fuck!” Lizzie’s scream came from behind them, followed by the sound of flesh smacking the pavement. Thu and Harper stopped short, Indira and Alex almost crashing into them as they all turned to look at Lizzie lying facedown and spread-eagle across the pavement, one of her sharp stilettos broken off and lying next to her like a murder weapon.

“Lizzie?” Harper said, taking a few steps toward her friend. Lizzie lifted her head, her hair a wild, red mess around her. They all locked eyes for a moment before Lizzie broke out into giggles.

“Go on without me!” she cried melodramatically, waving them on.

Harper’s face broke out in a huge grin and she started running, Thu close on her heels.

“Oh my God, not you, Indira,” they heard Lizzie yell after them. “Help me up, you beautiful bitch.”

Harper, Thu, and Alex started to wheeze with laughter as they moved through the city.

They continued running for what felt like forever, sweat trailing down Harper’s back and heels rubbing her feet raw, but she didn’t care.

Turning onto a quieter street, Thu came to an abrupt halt, Harper zooming past her.

“What’s wrong?” Harper asked, circling back to where Thu and Alex stood.

Thu grinned at her, her eyes misty and filled with encouragement.

“It’s right there,” Thu said, pointing at a brick building two down from them, an awning for a deli at its base. Harper’s heart pounded against her chest in excitement. Home, it whispered with each beat. We’re finally going home.

Thu stepped to Harper’s side, Alex hanging back. Harper grabbed her, pulling her into a huge hug.

“Thank you, Thu-Thu,” she whispered. “For everything.”

“Oh my God,” Thu said, pulling back and furiously scrubbing at her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic.”

Harper laughed, running her hands down her dress. “How do I look?”

Thu looked her up and down before giving her a smile and a shrug. “Like a girl in love.” Harper smiled. “And also super sweaty, but I’m sure he won’t care.”

“Thu!”

“You asked!” Thu said with innocence. “Unit 3B,” she added, pointing her chin toward the building. “Go.”

Harper nodded and turned, sucking in one last deep breath before marching toward the building. Her body thrummed with energy, every cell feeling electric, as she stared at the row of intercom buttons. A few tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes as she lifted her finger to the button for 3B.

She felt afraid and exposed and vulnerable and overwhelmed, and she embraced it. She let herself feel every emotion that flooded her as she pushed the buzzer.

After a few seconds, a familiar, beautiful voice came through the intercom.

“Hello?” Dan said.

Harper licked her lips, her body trembling and a smile threatening to split her open as she pressed the button to talk.

“Hey,” she said, her voice cracking on a happy sob. “It’s me.”





CHAPTER 40





DAN

With shaking fingers, Dan buzzed her in. He absolutely did not trust his mind.

He paced the small length of his studio apartment, dragging his hands through his hair. No way. There was no way she was here.