Best Man for the Wedding Planner

Adele sighed and met Harper’s gaze. “You’re right. And I probably should talk about it rather than overthink everything.”

Harper leaned forward. “Did he kiss you?”

“With the virus I had going on? Are you nuts?” Adele laughed. “I’m sure my fever and sneezing were really attractive. No, I fainted, actually. Dan took me up to his room and tucked me into bed with some medication. Then he went back to the dance.”

Harper took a drink of her coffee, but one eyebrow was quirked in a sassy arch. “Nope. He never came back. Why else do you think I’m here? I saw him take you out and then didn’t see either of you for the rest of the night, and I stayed until nearly midnight.” She sent Adele a knowing look. “I didn’t pop by yesterday in case he was...you know, here.”

Adele frowned and spooned up some soup to cover her conflicted feelings. He’d stayed with her? The thought that he’d watched over her sent a warmth flooding through her body. It also made her uncomfortable, considering the conversation they’d had the morning after.

Yet despite his feelings, he’d stayed. Made sure she was all right. It was a reminder that he was a good guy, deep down. Even when he was mad.

“I didn’t realize,” she said finally. “I fell asleep right away and slept through until the morning.” She swallowed against a lump in her throat. “He slept on the couch.”

“Not exactly the actions of someone who hates you, Adele.”

“It’s complicated.”

Harper finally laughed. “It always is. You wanna talk about it?”

And get into the nitty-gritty details? Not really. She was still feeling quite raw from it all. “Thanks, but it’s all in the past, you know? And he’s only here for a few days. I won’t even see him again.”

She’d no sooner got the words out of her mouth than there was another knock at her door.

A delivery man stood on the step and held a fruit basket in his hands. “Are you Adele Hawthorne?”

“I am.”

“This is for you. Have a good day.”

“I don’t need to sign?”

“Nope.”

He was gone in a flash and she carried the basket inside and to the table.

“Oooh. Fruit.” Harper sat back and watched as Adele reached for the envelope with a small card inside.

Adele,

Thought you could use the vitamin C. I’m sorry about how we left things. If you’re feeling better, maybe we can meet for lunch this week?

Dan

Adele wasn’t sure what to think. It was an olive branch, she supposed. And she probably shouldn’t read much into it. After all, it was bananas and grapes and not a bouquet of flowers or chocolates, the typical romantic go-to.

“Well? Is it from him?”

She nodded. “Actually, yes.”

Harper sat back with a satisfied smile. “See?”

Adele undid the cellophane and took out a fragrant clementine. She started to peel it and forced a shrug. “It’s fruit, Harper. Not exactly romantic.”

“Right. It’s subtle. Slipping in under your radar.”

She couldn’t help it; she laughed. “He’s not an under-the-radar guy. Or subtle, really. He’s more tell it like it is.” She didn’t mention anything about the lunch request. It had been nice talking to Harper, but the details were still a sore spot that she didn’t care to share. I don’t have a uterus wasn’t really something you popped into a conversation.

Harper drank her coffee for a minute and Adele ate some sections of clementine, the fruit juicy and fresh.