The Baby Contract

Her face scrunched up. “That’s not entirely true. You’ve come in hot sometimes when seeing Harper while I was there.”

“I might have been angry and frustrated at the situation, but only a few times did I say anything regretful to Harper, or you.”

She seemed to think on that.

“I get that you’re Harper’s friend. Of course, you’re going to perceive me the way she does because you only have her side of the story.”

“And your side is that it’s your job to look out for her? That doesn’t give you the right to dictate her life.”

“I don’t dictate her life. If I did, she’d be working in the company or some other job. She’s twenty-eight years old and hasn’t ever had a job.”

“She doesn’t need one, does she? And I thought she sometimes helped you secure deals.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t like Harper using her wiles to get me deals. For one, I don’t need it and two, the last time she did it, she ended up with a stalker.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked down as I sought the right words to explain my opinion of Harper to her best friend. I knew it could go horribly wrong and alienate Harper even more as well as turn Anne against me more than she already was.

Finally, I looked at Anne. “Harper hasn’t grown up yet. She still lives like she did as a teenager or in college. It’s all about fun and living rich.”

I watched Anne, acutely attuned to her and how she might respond.

“She doesn’t need to work, plus she volunteers sometimes.”

She wasn’t necessarily disagreeing. That was a good sign.

“She has no purpose or sense of direction.” I shook my head realizing we were getting off topic. “The point is, if I was dictating her life, she wouldn’t be a celebutante. Did I come in hot related to her stalker, hell yeah, and I’m not going to apologize for it. So, I hover and watch over her, absolutely because who the hell knows what sort of trouble she’ll get into. For as much as you annoy me, I’ve been glad you’ve been around. You’ve been a grounding force for her.”

She laughed. “I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true, except for the times you helped her slip away from her security. I know you all thought I was overly protective, but a woman was kidnapped while the two of you were using Archer to carry off some sort of secret plan.”

She blanched. I was glad that she recognized how their little game nearly killed Lane, a woman who was now their friend.

“Turns out I was right to be worried. Don’t you get it, Anne? Harper is the only family I have. My parents charged me with looking out for her. The world is a dangerous place, and her lifestyle doesn’t make it any easier for me to fulfill the promise I made to them.”

“I always admired Harper’s zest for life. Envied it, actually. She doesn’t have a care in the world.”

I nodded.

“Maybe she doesn’t have a care in the world because you’re still hovering over her like she’s a teenager. Perhaps she’ll grow up when she’s forced to make the decisions you keep making for her.”

My jaw tightened. I hated that she had a point.

But if I let go, who the hell knew what sort of trouble Harper might get into.

“I certainly am not looking forward to having you hover over me for the next year.”

I glared at her. “You agreed.”

“I did. But the way you hover and try to control me tells me you don’t trust me. That you don’t think I can make good decisions. No one likes to be around someone who makes them feel stupid and inept. Your way isn’t always the only right way, Bran.”

She was speaking calmly, gently even, when before she would have been harsh and accusatory. “I think if Harper felt like she had more leeway, she would find her purpose. In some ways, she’s still rebelling.”

I supposed that made sense, but I was done with this conversation. “This all started by my asking if you were hungry and you accusing me of breaking our agreement by being nice.”

She smiled sheepishly and it made me want to reach out and caress her cheek. Thank fuck my hands were still in my pockets.

“I’m sorry for that. No, I’m not hungry right now. What I’d really like to do is try out that large soaking tub in my bathroom.”