2. Miles

Chapter 2

Miles

Standing in front of Harper’s house, holding her dog, I wonder how I got here. I mean, not in the literal sense, but in the I’m madly in love with this woman and she has friend-zoned me so hard sense. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her, regardless of my feelings, but it’s a bitch when I have to beg her to spend the night at my house when hers is flooded.

We’ve been friends for more than six years, since our freshman year of college, and she’s always just treated me as a friend. When we first met, she knocked me flat on my ass and I had every intention of asking her out, but she just never let me. Every time I started to have that kind of conversation, she would change the subject or shut it down in some way. If it hadn’t broken my heart, it would have been impressive.

I’ve made my peace with just being her best friend. I’ve tried to date other women who were the opposite of my dream girl, but it never got past the first couple of dates.

Her door opens and she comes out. Red-faced, hair flying everywhere, and so beautiful.

“Sorry I took so long. I had to change into shorts and flip-flops. The wet pants feeling was not it,” she laughs. “I packed everything I’ll need for tonight.”

“Great. Do you want me to help with anything?”

“I’ll just throw it in the backseat and head over to your place, unless you need me to stay for something?” she looks so tired and beat down.

“No, I’ll handle everything.” I follow her over to her car, still carrying Titan. “Just make yourself at home. I’ll be there to talk everything through as soon as the crew gets here and we have a better idea of what we’re looking at in the house.”

She nods and climbs into her car. “I’ll be waiting.”

I watch her drive off and start pulling tools from my truck. There isn’t much I can do until the crew arrives with the fans and the pump to remove the water, but I can take a quick look around and see if there is anything I can do on my own.

I start to walk into the house, but before I take more than a few steps, my phone rings. I freeze, worried that it’s Harper and something else has happened. The display shows that it’s my oldest brother, Wilder. I take a deep breath to try and relax.

“Hey.”

“I heard something happened with Harper. Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, but her house isn’t. I’m here now, and there are several inches of water through most of the house. I think the busted pipe is in the front bath, and with her house having that little step down, the water gathered like a swimming pool.”

“Shit. That’s gonna be a bitch to clean up.” My brother, Captain Obvious. “Is Harper there with you? Have you called a crew out?”

“A crew should be here any minute and Harper is on her way to my place. She’s gonna stay there tonight.”

“Oh, really?” Wilder, and the rest of my family, know how I feel about Harper. There was no way to hide it when I first came home from school talking about her non-stop. My brothers have, at different times, told me to just kiss her and confess my feelings. They are all convinced that she feels something for me too. I’m not willing to risk our friendship on a hunch my brothers have.

“Yes, she says it’s just for tonight and then she’s gonna get a hotel room or something, but there’s no way I’m going to let her waste money when I have a guest room.”

“Clara’s house is empty. She wouldn’t mind if Harper stayed there while her house is being renovated. She loves Harper like a sister.” There’s a scuffle on the other end of the phone and my sister-in-law, Ivy, takes Wilder’s place.

Ivy says, “Absolutely not. Harper needs to stay with you.”

“She does?” I know it’s what I want, but I never would’ve guessed that Ivy would have such a strong opinion.

“Miles, you know that I love you and I know you aren’t a stupid man.”

“Thank you? I love you too.”

“How long do you think it will take you to fix Harper’s house?” Ivy asks.

“I don’t know, but I imagine at least a month. I’ll know better once we get the water out and see just how bad the damage is to the walls.”

“Okay, so you could have Harper in your house —alone— every night for a month. Doing things like a couple and being in each other’s space.”

I know what she means, and it sounds amazing, but I would never want to make Harper uncomfortable.

“I’ve had the exact same thoughts, Ivy, but Harper and I are just friends and that’s the way it’s going to be. If it was going to be more, it would have happened by now.”

“Miles, please don’t give up hope,” Ivy begs.

“I’m not giving up anything, Ivy. Besides my family, Harper is the most important person in my life and that will never change.” The two trucks with the crew and equipment drive up, saving me from more of this conversation. “The guys are here. Tell Wilder I’ll call him when I know more about the actual damage.”

“Okay, you know I’m only meddling because I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy, Ivy. Now, go give my niece a hug from her favorite uncle.”

We hang up and I help the guys unload the trucks. The whole time I think about what Ivy said. Am I happy? I said yes, but I didn’t mean it. I’m not sad or depressed, but more resigned. I’ve watched Wilder, Knox, and now Clara fall in love and I’m jealous. I want that, but only with one woman.

Could something happen between us if we are together for a month? I wouldn’t need that long to know that she’s my one —I’m already there— but could Harper change her mind about me? Should I even try, or would it destroy our friendship forever?