She shakes her head. “I don’t want to, not right now, not with you wrapped around me.”

“Fair enough.” I sigh and rest my chin on her head.

“After you retire from going pro—yeah, I jumped ahead that far—and we decide to settle down, think we’ll really come back to Port Snow?”

I love how she’s talking about the future; it gives me that extra boost of confidence in our relationship. Going to college as high school sweethearts is going to be hard—I’m not naive—but knowing we’re in the same frame of mind grants me some peace.

“Yes, I do. This is where our families are, where our roots are.”

“Where would you want to live?” she asks, her head lolling to the side as she looks up at me.

I press a quick kiss against her cheek. “Snow Vale Manor.”

She scoffs. “Be serious. You know that place will never go up for sale.”

“I am serious. I’ll figure out how to own it one day. It’s where I have some of my best memories; I don’t want anyone else to get their hands on it.” I squeeze her tight, letting her know I mean business. “What about you?”

“Well, the manor is way too big . . . but it is dreamy.” She sighs. “The Harbor Walk House would be so much fun if we were just starting out, but it’s no place for a family.”

“I love that little house and the story behind it. That crotchety old fisherman inspires me to be crusty and defiant when I’m old.”

“Please leave the crusty out of it,” Harper teases. “But yes, I love that house. And then there’s Peach and Tree Terrace, the little condos that look like gingerbread houses. Not for family, though.”

“We could still own one, though; it could be our getaway when the kids get too annoying.”

“Oh, smart.” She chuckles. “And if we can own the Inn by the Sea, that would be amazing. Assuming we’re rich, we can buy the whole place from the stingy owners and let anyone who wants to get ice cream from Beaches and Cream walk through the gates. You can’t advertise the best banana split in the Northeast and then not let locals in. That’s just rude.”

“We’ll let them in, don’t worry. But what about houses? Where do you want to live?”

She gives it some serious thought. “There’s this cottage in the woods,” she says quietly. “My dad always wanted to buy it for my mom. It’s off Enchanted Elms. I saw it once, and it was so magical. It’s not big, but just big enough. Quaint and cute. I could see us living there. It would be the perfect place to hold posh, grown-up parties.”

“Posh parties, huh?”

“Yeah, super sophisticated.”

I chuckle and kiss the top of her head again, resolving to take a trip down to Enchanted Elms. “Then consider it done.”

“You’re so confident.”

“Because I’m confident in us. We have dreams, Harper, and together, we’re going to make them come true.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ROGAN

When did she live in New Hampshire?

She touched a whale? What the hell.

Did she really catch that fish? No way.

Holy fuck, that is the worst work outfit I think I’ve ever seen someone wear. Knee-high stockings, really?

Huh, she saw the Statue of Liberty. Of course she would get a foam hat. That’s so Harper.

She must really enjoy sailing.

Is that—

“Hey, Rogue.”

My phone flies up in the air as I startle and nearly jump out of my pants, spilling my coffee out of the little to-go cup and all over my hand.

“Fuck,” I mutter, gathering some napkins to clean up the mess.

Griffin sits down in a brown leather chair next to me and picks up my phone, taking in the screen before I can snatch it away from him.

From over the screen, he knowingly raises his brow in my direction. “Spying on Harper’s Instagram? When did you start stalking your ex-girlfriend?”

I swipe my phone from him, blacking out the screen and putting it in my suit pocket. “I’m not stalking, just, you know . . . catching up.”

“Catching up? Don’t you think that would be better in person?”

“One would think,” I mutter before sipping my coffee.

Catching up with Harper in person would be a disaster, especially after I humiliated her in front of the entire town.

I could have handled it better, but my emotions got the best of me before I could stop myself. I let the town have it, but I just ended up hurting Harper. Which is what I always seem to do, even when I’m trying to help.

And even though I told everyone to stay out of our business, insisted there wouldn’t be any grand reunion, I’m still so goddamned curious about the seven years we spent apart. And I’m practically burning with the need to know the real reason she’s back in Port Snow.

Changing the subject, Griffin asks, “Did you hear? Lovemark chose Port Snow.”

Who hasn’t heard the news? I’ve been sitting in Snow Roast for the last half hour, killing some time until my next meeting, and within that half hour I heard at least five different sets of people talk about it. It’s the biggest news this town has had in a while.

“Brig called me an hour ago to tell me.” And then there’s that.

Griffin rolls his eyes. “He’s going to be a nightmare to deal with.”

“Yeah, he is. Will you have anything to do with the movie?”

“Just helping out with permits and all that crap—nothing too special. I already have so much on my plate; I couldn’t really take on anything more. When Mayor Conway introduced me to the production team and I saw their laundry list of things to do, I started handing out jobs.”

“Does Brig think he can get a spot in the movie just because you know the director?”

Griffin takes a sip of his coffee and drums his fingers on his chair’s armrest. “I think that’s what he’s assuming. I mean, I already asked, and Carl, the producer, said yes, but I’m going to hold on to that crumb of knowledge for now. I really want to dangle it over his head for a while.”

“Very smart. Torture him until he can’t take it anymore.”

He smiles at me from over his cup. “What kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t?”

“Not a very good one, that’s for damn sure.” I glance at my watch; I still have some time before I have to leave. “So, how’s it going with Ren? Any plans—”

“Hey, Harper! Over here,” Griffin calls out, his eyes cast over my shoulder toward the coffeehouse entrance.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I growl, my senses all spiked up at once.

He shrugs as if he really doesn’t care that things are about to get extremely uncomfortable. “I want to talk to her about something. Just because you’re an idiot doesn’t mean I can’t talk to her.”

“Hey, Griffin.” Harper’s voice washes over me like a cool spring rain, dousing me and exciting me all at the same time.

“Mind taking a seat for a second?”

“Sure.” She sits down directly across from me and sets down her freshly poured and steaming coffee, giving me the perfect view of her long legs in a pair of leggings and winter boots. A soft navy-blue sweater pulls at her shoulders and breasts, and a white pom-pom hat covers the top of her head, contrasting starkly against her hair. So goddamn beautiful. She sends a tight, insincere smile in my direction and turns back to Griffin.

Yeah, I deserved that.

“I wanted to congratulate you on the new job. You must be excited.”

New job? What job, and why the hell hasn’t Griffin told me? And why wasn’t it on her Instagram?

“Thank you. I’m really excited.” Harper lights up once she blocks me out of the conversation and focuses on Griffin. “I still can’t believe they want me to work with them.”

“I do. I may have nudged them to work with someone local.”

Them? Who’s them?

Glancing back and forth, I try to understand their conversation without looking overly interested.

“Seriously, I think that nudge kept their ears open for someone like me. Is it weird to say thank you?”

“Not necessary. Always a big brother.” He winks, and Harper flings herself into Griffin’s arms, giving him one of her famous all-encompassing hugs that could make even the strongest of men turn into a puddle at her feet.

The lucky son of a bitch.

I have a very strong urge to pop my brother in the eye socket right about now.

Harper pulls away, finally. “You have no idea what your little nudge did for me. I don’t think I’ve been this excited about something in a long time.”

Not being able to take it anymore, I say, “What . . . uh . . . what kind of job did you land?”

Both Griffin and Harper ignore me.

“Eve is helping me get time off too.”

Griffin shifts in his seat, a knowing smirk tilting up the corner of his lips. “You were made for this job.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so.”

“What job?” I ask again, this time leaning forward. Don’t they know it’s rude to exclude me from their conversation?

“What does it matter to you?” Harper snaps. Her voice is soft, but the venom is sharp in her words.