Chapter Seven

Julian

H arper was too busy cursing me under her breath to notice her brother had entered the apartment. I was pretty sure sweet Christopher was an ass man, but I chose our next pose to show off the strength of my legs. If he was as curious as I suspected, I wanted him to wonder about all the things I could do with them.

"Walk your hands back toward your feet and slowly rise to a standing position," I said, hoping my voice sounded as soothing as my previous instructors'. "We're going to do the firefly pose." Harper's exhale was more like an angry hiss than a cleansing breath. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at her silent outrage.

"Why do you hate me so much?" she whined.

Ignoring her, I said, "Your feet should be slightly wider than your hips. Slowly fold forward from the hips and reach through your legs to grab your right calf with your right hand. Use that as leverage to work your right shoulder behind your right calf." I glanced over at Harper to ensure she was in position before we repeated the same step on the left side.

"I hate you," she repeated.

I chuckled and added a bit of camp to my yoga instructor's voice. "This pose is great at toning your arms and wrists, but I especially love what it does for my groin and hips. It really opens them up and helps me achieve optimal flexibility."

"Yeah, I bet you're jonesing to flex those hips," Harper snarled.

Ignoring her, I said, "Breathe through the frustrations and repeat this move on the left side, tucking the left shoulder behind the left calf."

Harper huffed out one last indignant breath and followed my lead.

"With the top of your head toward the ground, wrap your forearms around the sides of your shins and place your palms on top of your feet," I said. "Mmm, feel that beautiful stretch in your hips and groin." A slight hitch of breath came from the vicinity of the kitchen, and I knew for certain I had a captive audience. Again, Harper was too furious with me to notice Christopher's presence.

She looked over at me. "Sounds like you're enjoying this way too much. Do you need a moment with yourself? I'll happily leave the room."

"We can't stop now," I said. "We're almost there."

Harper snorted. "Yeah, I bet."

"Squeeze your torso firmly with your inner thighs and keep your head heavy," I said. "Shift your palms on the ground behind your feet and bend your knees deeply as you lower your pert ass and lift your feet."

"I really hate you," Harper hissed.

"Firm your upper arms and extend your gaze in front of you to maintain your balance." I glanced over and made sure Harper was with me. For all her bitching, she had mastered this pose beautifully so far. "Let's finish up strong."

"You can't see it, but I'm flipping you off with my middle toe."

I snorted, which caused me to wobble slightly. I firmed my upper arms once more and said, "Straighten your legs, reaching out through the balls of your feet. Keep your sternum lifted and shoulder blades moving back to prevent tension in your neck. Lift the gaze and smile."

"I will not," Harper said adamantly, but I caught the ghost of a smile tugging at her mouth.

"Think of how toned your arms will look in your dress for the gala."

"How could I when I don't even know what my dress will look like?" she countered.

"I love that you trust me enough to design a dress without input," I said, then guided us back out of the firefly pose.

Once our feet were firmly planted on the ground, Harper turned to me with her hands on her hips. "I trust you enough to bend me like a human pretzel, so why wouldn't I—" Her gaze drifted past me, and I knew the source of her distraction. Harper's eyes widened in alarm, and she made a beeline for the kitchen. "What happened to you?" she asked.

I spun around and saw Christopher's left arm was in a sling. Any euphoria I'd felt from giving the man a peep show wilted like a thirsty flower beneath the hot Savannah sun. That is until I noticed Christopher hadn't taken his half-lidded gaze off me.

"I'm fine, Harper," he said as he raked his golden eyes over my body.

I resisted the urge to reach out and brush a wayward strand of sandy blond hair off Christopher's forehead. "How'd your appointment go?" I asked instead.

"What appointment, and why does Julian know before me?" Harper asked.

I forced myself to look at her then and noticed the worried expression in her pretty dark eyes. "Christopher needed some assistance this morning, and you'd already left for work."

"Because you're aiming for employee of the month, right?" Christopher asked. "I can't imagine another reason you'd want to arrive forty-five minutes early."

Harper rolled her eyes. "Coffee and pastry run."

"Uh-huh," Christopher said.

"And I'd like to point out that we're not talking about me," Harper replied. "Though you get extra points for the nice deflection."

"Luckily, Dr. Chu had a cancellation this afternoon," Christopher said.

He hadn't worn the sling during the press conference about his big bust, so either his appointment had been afterward, or he'd removed the sling before it. I didn't share my musings out loud or reveal that I'd watched the conference. Chief Mendoza is hotter than sin, but he couldn't hold a candle to my Christopher. My Christopher? Someone needed to get a grip.

"What did Dr. Chu say?" Harper asked.

Christopher shrugged his good shoulder. "Not much. X-rays came back clear, but

she's waiting for my MRI results before deciding how to proceed."

"When is your MRI?" I asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon, and I follow up with Dr. Chu the day after. I have a good feeling, though. It's sore, but this injury feels different from the last one."

"Whew," Harper said theatrically.

I turned to my friend and quirked a brow. "What's with the melodrama?"

Harper snorted and shook her head. "You have no idea what a whiny cry baby he was during the first surgery."

"Was not," Christopher bit back.

Harper rolled her eyes. "Were too."

"Okay, okay," I said, moving to stand between them as I'd seen Audrey do dozens of times since I'd known them. "Instead of fighting, let's focus on a different word starting with F. "

Harper held her hands up and took two steps back. "I'm out."

Christopher smiled wolfishly. "But I'm listening."

"You dirty, dirty birds. I'm talking about food ," I said. "I'm famished. Also a word that starts with F ."

"What is this? An episode of Sesame Street ?" Harper asked.

The intensity in Christopher's eyes made me think of activities best performed without an audience, especially not children or his sister.

"I want to shower and change before I eat," Topher said. "I'll try not to take long."

"Need help?" I called after him.

He spun around and walked backward. "With which part?" Instead of waiting for me to answer, he pivoted and continued down the hallway.

And just like that morning, Christopher's remark left me speechless, a rare feat he'd managed twice in a single day. I had to be dreaming, right? I pinched my arm but didn't wake up. I was still standing in Harper's kitchen, and Christopher was still striding toward his bedroom. He hadn't said no to my offer to help. What would happen if I simply followed him to his room? How far was Christopher willing to take his curiosity? Reed's advice echoed in my head, and though he made a valid point, I couldn't wrap my head around the possibility that Christopher could really want me. I continued to stare in a trancelike state until Harper pushed a cold bottle of water against my stomach. The chill of the plastic permeated my shirt and my exhausting internal dialogue.

"What's happening?" Harper asked dryly.

"I'm about to whip up some cornbread to go with the Brunswick stew I made." I knew it was Christopher's favorite, and it felt like the perfect situation to dust off Aunt Lulu's recipe. I edged around Harper and headed into the kitchen, but she followed on my heels.

"Nice try," Harper said. "We both know that isn't what I meant, but just in case, I'll be clearer this time." She set her water down and placed both hands on her lean hips. "What is going on between you and my brother?"

I snorted and got busy gathering ingredients to avoid looking her in the eye while I lied or at least hemmed around the truth. "Do you hear yourself right now? It's just my typical shameless flirting. I've been doing it since the day I met him. I'd think you'd be used to it by now."

"Huh-uh," Harper said. "This isn't the same thing, and we both know it. I noticed a different vibe between you guys at Sunday supper, and it's only intensified since. Topher isn't just soaking up your adoration like a sponge. He's flirting back. And you!"

I affixed an innocent expression on my face and placed a hand over my heart. "Me?"

Harper swatted my question away like a pesky gnat. "Save it for someone who doesn't know you better. You got flustered with Christopher just now. You never get flustered. And don't think I missed the little arm pinch. This isn't a dream, but I'm starting to suspect it's a nightmare for me." Despite our pseudo confrontation, I couldn't help but grin at her. I wanted to assure her that everything would be fine, but I didn't know what everything entailed. "So I'll ask again," Harper said. "What is happening?"

I turned to face her, placed both hands on my hips, and stared into her eyes. "Are you seriously asking what my intentions are toward your brother?"

Harper made a retching sound. "Hell no. I know damn well what you'd like to do to my brother. Until now, it's never bothered me."

"Why until now?"

"Because Toph has never shown the slightest inkling he'd welcome the wicked things you'd like to do to him."

Hope was a dangerous thing. It could rise out of nowhere and send a person soaring into the clouds, then disappear just as quickly, hurtling them toward the ground. I'd crashed and burned more times than I wanted to acknowledge, but it would hurt so much more with Christopher.

"And I just can't get behind it." Harper's woeful tone was the pin to my balloon, and my stomach dropped because I'd soared higher than I'd realized.

"You don't think I'm good enough for your brother?" Ground, meet face. Fuck, this was going to hurt. Harper was the sunshine on my cloudiest days and losing her friendship would leave me in a perpetual state of darkness.

Harper's worried expression morphed into regret. "No, sweetie. How could you think such a silly thing?" She crossed the space and hugged me tightly. Harper pulled back, cupped my face, and sighed. "I'd have to kill my own brother if he hurt you. That's my dilemma."

And just like that, the sun shone brightly again. "It's a good thing you have nothing to worry about because prison orange isn't your color. It was just some innocent flirting. Maybe Christopher was just trying to turn the tables on me for once."

Harper shook her head. "I know what I saw."

"And that was…"

"A smoldering gaze," Harper said. "I'm surprised your yoga clothes didn't burst into flames." She narrowed her dark eyes. "Wait a minute. Did you choose that torturous pose for Christopher's benefit?"

"Maybe," I teased. "I think Christopher could be a little curious, and maybe I'm pushing the limits to see how far he's willing to take it." I sighed. "But I won't jeopardize our friendship. If it bothers you this much, I'll back off."

I held my breath while Harper worried her bottom lip between her teeth. "No, don't," she finally said. "I think Christopher is more than curious when it comes to you, and I'm convinced no one could possibly love him the way you do. So even though the naughty banter makes me cringe, you have my blessing."

I refrained from squealing when we hugged again, but I held her longer and squeezed her tighter. "I suppose it's no more awkward than Christopher overhearing your bedroom gymnastics."

Harper stepped back and swatted my chest. "We're not talking about that."

"I think we should," I replied. "Topher thinks you're banging your boss. That's what he meant by his employee of the month remark."

Harper's eyes widened, and her bow mouth parted on a gasp. "Really?"

"Uh-huh."

"What did you say?" Harper asked.

"I didn't tell him anything." Informing Christopher that his sister was shagging Coy Beaufort was the last thing I wanted to do. I felt terrible about withholding the information from him, but Harper was my best girl.

She sighed with relief. "Because you're my ride or die."

"Always," I said and kissed her cheek. "By the way, I might have tormented you just to get a rise out of your brother, but you nailed that pose."

"Does that mean I get a sneak peek at my dress?"

"Hell no, but you can help me make this cornbread."

We worked in companionable silence for a bit before Harper nudged me. "Am I to believe it's a coincidence you made Topher's favorite comfort food after learning he reinjured his shoulder?"

I placed the cornbread in the oven, shut the door, and turned to her with a smile. "Believe what you wish."

"Mmm," Christopher said. "Smells like Brunswick stew."

Harper and I jumped because we hadn't heard him coming down the hallway, which was unbelievable considering his size. He truly had the prowess of a lion, and I was dying to have him on me.

I turned and smiled at Christopher. "Yep. It's my aunt Lulu's recipe. Would you like to be my taste tester? It's been a while since I made it."

"God yes." Christopher stepped beside me, tipped his head back, and inhaled deeply. "I can't believe I didn't notice the enticing aroma sooner."

I dipped a spoon into the stew and held it up to my mouth, then proceeded to blow on the soup so it wouldn't burn him. Christopher's attention fell to my lips and remained there as I blew a second time.

"Can't imagine why either," Harper said dryly.

I was aware of her presence but couldn't acknowledge the remark because Christopher had chosen that moment to look into my eyes. Hell, I forgot all about the spoonful of stew I'd promised him.

"You can probably stop blowing now," Christopher said.

I adopted the flirty smile and heart eyes he'd come to expect from me. "Said no man ever."

I held the spoon to his smiling lips, and he opened them for me. The look of pure delight washing over his face made my heart sing with joy, but the sexy little growl he emitted made other parts of me stand up and take notice.

"Christ," Harper snarled. "I'm leaving."

Christopher shifted his gaze in her direction. "Got a hot date?"

"No," she replied, drawing out the word to showcase her annoyance. "I thought maybe the two of you would prefer to eat your stew privately."

Christopher's brow furrowed, and I longed to trace the groove with my fingers. "Bye, Felicia."

The movie quote made me laugh but Harper only scowled at him. It was getting way too hot in the kitchen, so I changed the subject to find out how their days went. Mine had been thankfully uneventful, which wouldn't last long because homecoming season was almost upon us. Harper's and Christopher's days had been much more exciting than mine. I dished out stew as soon as the cornbread finished baking, and we gathered around the small table in the kitchen nook. Christopher took great delight in my stew, but his pain became more evident as the night wore on.

"Did Dr. Chu give you muscle relaxers or pain meds?" Harper asked.

"Yeah, but I don't want to take them yet. They'll knock me out, and I'll end up wide awake at three in the morning." He ate his final spoonful of stew, then shoved the bowl away. "I had two bowls and can't do anymore."

"I'll put the leftovers in your refrigerator," I said. "You can munch on it for days."

Christopher smiled and sighed happily. "Thank you."

After dinner, I moved to do the dishes, but Christopher insisted on doing them.

I pulled the dirty bowl from his hand and stacked it in the dishwasher. "Your shoulder hurts."

"Doesn't give me an excuse to be lazy," he replied.

"Since when?" Harper asked.

"Why don't you do something productive instead of busting my balls," Christopher tossed over his shoulder.

"Such as?"

"Pick a movie for the three of us to watch," Christopher said. "I've stomached all the reality TV I can take this week."

"Does that include baseball?" I asked.

Christopher snorted. "Of course not."

We worked side by side for several moments until Harper started calling out movie options. Christopher and I vetoed each one until she mentioned Miss Congeniality , a rare film we all liked .

Midway through the movie, Christopher leaned closer to me and whispered. "I have a favor to ask."

I turned my head and found his face much closer than I expected. His lips were right there. All I had to do was lean forward a few inches. "Yes," I said without hesitation.

Christopher smiled and shook his head. "You might want to find out what it is first."

"Doesn't matter."

He slid onto the floor and positioned himself at my feet like he'd done the previous night. "You don't have to wait until I fall asleep to play with my hair."

Harper snapped her head in my direction. "You told him?"

Christopher laughed and repeated our conversation from when he'd come over for help with his shirt and tie. While he talked, I massaged his shoulder and flirted with the idea of playing with his hair. Christopher sometimes moaned a little or expressed his appreciation in other ways. Each noise elicited a look of disgust from Harper.

"Hey, at least we're not making my headboard rattle up against your wall," Christopher reminded her.

She opened her mouth, and I knew she was about to spew something like "Not yet," so I cut her off with a quick head shake. Harper rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the movie.

Christopher tilted his head back and looked up at me. "Go ahead. You know you want to."

I moved my hands into his hair. The cool, silky strands slid through my fingers as I massaged his scalp. Christopher sighed and leaned his head to rest against my leg. He was asleep in minutes, but I kept massaging him to ensure he stayed that way. When my touch lingered long enough to be considered creepy, I eased my hands free and rested them on my thighs. I finished the movie with Harper before easing away from Christopher's warmth.

I kissed her cheek and looked at Christopher on my way to the door. My emotions were a jumbled mess when I walked into my apartment, so I retreated to my sewing room. My phone rang at nine thirty, and I saw it was my sister, Jorja, calling.

"Hey, sis. How are things?"

"Just now heading home from the office," she replied.

"Why so late on a Friday night? Being the daughter of the company's CEO should at least get you out the door by six."

Jorja snorted. "I've gotten myself in a horrible mess with our latest development project, Jules."

The dread in her voice made my stomach hurt. "What's going on?"

"Dad was against the project from the start, but he gave it a green light because he believes in me. It's been one disaster after another. I don't want to disappoint him and shatter his confidence in me."

"I'm sure that isn't the case. You're a genius, and if Dad has faith in you, it's because he knows you'll figure it out. Besides, I'm the one who insisted on forging my own path only to disappoint our parents and shatter their faith in me."

"Nonsense. How many times do I have to tell you that's not true?" Jorja replied. "They admire your independent streak, and Dad claims you got it from him."

I chuckled. "Well, he's not wrong about that. I also inherited a few of his less desirable attributes. I can be quite stubborn."

"Really?" Jorja teased. "I hadn't heard. But seriously, Jules. Your influence is felt all over our corporate office, even though you aren't physically here."

"Yeah? How?"

"Dad has implemented several green initiatives in your honor. We've reduced single use plastic materials by seventy percent, and he's set up recycling throughout the complex. But the changes don't stop there. They're spilling over to the actual construction projects too. He's so proud of you. He tells everyone he knows that his son is a professor."

Tears filled my eyes. "It's just one class, and it's a guest lecturing gig."

"For now," Jorja amended.

"Why has Dad never said anything to me?"

"Because, as you noted, you're both stubborn mules. But maybe you can find some time for a private chat when you come home for my wedding." She squealed. "I can't believe I'm getting married soon. The dress you made for my big day is the most beautiful creation ever, and I cannot wait to show it off to everyone."

"Thanks, sis, but you made my job incredibly easy. You'd make a potato sack look stunning."

She chuckled and said, "Now you're laying it on thick. Enough mushy talk. I can't wait to meet Topher."

"Um, what now?"

"Surely you plan on bringing your boyfriend as a date for my wedding."

"I never said Christopher was my boyfriend." But I may have implied it during my last trip home when my lackluster love life came up in front of Thad, my ex-boyfriend. To save face, I'd said I was seeing someone special. And I had seen Christopher nearly every day since he moved in with Harper. It wasn't a total lie. I'd foolishly thought that would be the end of the conversation, but instead, they pressed me until I'd at least given them his first name. Unfortunately, I used Christopher's nickname, which they'd recognized as Harper's brother.

"His CrimeStoppers interview has gone viral, you know," Jorja said. "Mom and Dad have told all their friends, including the Arisens, Christopher is your boyfriend."

Oh no. What have I done?

Completely unaware of my misery, Jorja continued chatting. "Christopher is so handsome. No wonder you want to keep him all to yourself. I can't wait to see the look on Thad Arisen's face when everyone fawns over your new man. He's been strutting around here like a proud peacock with his new boyfriend. Ugh. I hate that he's included in the wedding weekend festivities."

"There was no getting out of it," I said. "The Arisens and our parents go back a long way. I think Mom and Dad were much more upset over my breakup with Thad than I was." Just another way I thought I'd disappointed them. "Mom and Dad were excited about the prospect of me dating Christopher, huh?"

"Mom fanned herself, and Dad said, ‘even I understand the fuss.'"

"Wow," I said.

"Yeah, you've got to bring him to the wedding."

This was when I should've come clean about the state of my relationship with Christopher Carnegie. But when I opened my mouth to do just that, I said, "Okay. I'll ask if he's available."

Jorja squealed her delight and started chatting about everything she had planned leading up to her special day. After we hung up, I stared into space and said, "What have I done?"