3. Harper

CHAPTER THREE

HARPER

I raced from my last showing to my parent's house. I knew I would be a bit late picking Ari up, but it was almost nine, and I'd never hear the end of it from my mother. She was constantly on me for not being there for Aria enough. That children needed their mothers.

I understood where she was coming from, but things were different. I was raised in a perfect family. The full three kids and a white picket fence. They got married, got careers, bought a house, and had kids. Though I would always be grateful for the upbringing I had, houses were cheaper then, and my mom didn't have to do everything on her own. While I knew quality time was important, I couldn't give as much as I wanted to, and my mother always reminded me of that.

I whipped out of my car and ran up the porch steps, hearing them creak under my weight. These stairs had creaked since I was a child, and I worried that one day, they would break under my feet. I walked in quietly, and like always, it felt like stepping back in time. My parents hadn't updated the house since I lived here. The same blue floral wallpaper covered the living space with the same worn old tan couch and recliner. Photos lined the walls of me and all my siblings through the years. My oldest sister had a husband and was pregnant, and my older brother was working some tech job in the city. I was the only fuck up who did everything out of order, though it did make me smile to see Aria's photos line the walls. As much as my parents didn't understand my choices, they did love their granddaughter.

"There you are," my mom said as she came from the kitchen. "I called you an hour ago."

"I know, I'm sorry," I said, leaning against the wall. "I had to finish up a last-minute showing." I'd been trying to sell this house for months and these were the first interested buyers.

"You need to make more time for her," she said. "Or someone does."

I sighed. I didn't need to have this argument, one we'd had many times before. "I'll work on it," I said, trying to please her.

"I'm serious," she continued. "Children need their mothers."

"They need other things too," I snapped, "like food and a house."

She rolled her eyes. "That's why you need help. Have you considered tracking down her father? He probably does well for himself."

I cringed at the mention of him. He was a nobody I hooked up with in my senior year of college. I was on spring break and vacationing in a different city. We'd used protection and I was on birth control, but apparently, that wasn't enough. I didn't have any way to contact him and I couldn't even remember his name. So, I finished my business degree and got my real estate license all before she was born. I landed an internship that turned into a job, and I've been working there ever since.

I loved my job. While I wished I could spend more time with my Aria, even if presented with the option, I wouldn't stay home. And while a lot of people thought that was wrong of me, it was true.

"He's not her father," I said sharply. "And I hope you won't mention anything about it to her." The last thing I wanted was for her to feel othered by not having a dad.

"I won't, but think about it. It's obvious you need help, and we won't be around forever."

"I know, and I appreciate your help. Let me know if you want any cash."

She scoffed. "I don't need money for taking care of my grandbaby."

I turned to go to my old room, where I knew she'd be, when my mother stopped me. "Oh, and have you noticed Aria acting…weird?"

I stopped. "Weird?"

"Yes. Today, she napped here when she's normally very awake after daycare. And she was a bit hyper afterward, and now, she's asleep again. I think she may have a cold."

"Thanks for letting me know," I said. I had noticed some of the same things. I'd chalked it up to her being a kid, but it seemed to be more than that. Maybe she did have a cold.

Even my room was the same, with peeling band posters and a pink and zebra print comforter. I had no idea why everyone at the time was so obsessed with that combo, but I got a fun reminder of it every time I stepped in here.

Aria was curled up in bed, sleeping peacefully. She'd been changed into pajamas and looked like she had a bath. At least I didn't need to worry about waking her to do that. I picked her up carefully, trying not to wake her, and whisked her out of the room.

I whispered a thanks to my parents and put her in the car. Once the door was shut, I got in, turned the car on, and just sat in silence for a moment. Today had been hectic, and my mother bringing up my inability to be everywhere at once really rubbed me the wrong way. I knew I wasn't perfect, but I was managing on my own. At least I thought. Maybe more was slipping through my fingers than I thought.

I looked down at my phone and saw the icon for that dating app. When I clicked it, I had a new message.

Jasper - Hey beautiful :)

A small smile touched my lips. A giddy feeling I hadn't felt in a long time snaked its way through me, but I quickly tamped it down. I didn't need to be acting like a schoolgirl over a single message from a guy on a dating app.

Harper - That's a cheesy opener

The three dots in the corner danced quickly.

Jasper - I know, but it's true. How was your day?

I could feel my face heat. Goddess, I was blushing over such a simple compliment. Maybe I did need to get out more.

Harper - Busy. I had a lot of client meetings today

Jasper – Oh, what do you do?

Harper – I'm a real estate agent

Jasper- that sounds fun!

It was fun. Strangely, having someone acknowledge that my job could be fun made me smile. It made me realize I had barley glanced at his profile. I went to check and read the bio. It said he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hiking, skiing, and traveling. That was a lot of hobbies.

A hand knocked on my window, startling me, making me drop my phone to the floor. When I glanced over, my mother stood there, wrapping her robe tightly around her. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

I rolled down my window. "No, sorry. Just sending a work text."

She rolled her eyes. "Why don't you get her home so she's not sleeping in the car seat for too long?"

I again bit my tongue. I didn't want to sit here and argue, especially about a lie I'd just told.

I put my window back up and began the trip home.