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As she pulls back, her hands clutch mine, and she smiles at me. Her lips go a little higher on the right side of her face, making her smile slightly crooked. I find the detail to be similar to Da
“The girls will be down in just a moment. They were really excited to hear that you have four sisters yourself, Harper. But don’t ask if their names are Do
“It’s never been fu
Da
Although Fitz only agreed to come along after I had threatened to request a transfer at work, I can tell that he’s enjoying himself. Diane is so warm and friendly that I’m pretty sure she could make a mime speak, and Daniel cooks what are quite possibly the best barbecued ribs, chicken, and vegetables I’ve ever had.
After di
“Da
“I’m going to be applying for medical school to get my doctorate, but it won’t be to actually see patients. I’m going into the research side.”
“That’s amazing!” Her blue eyes remain focused on mine as she smiles proudly. “I consider going back to practice someday. I was a pediatric medical assistant until we moved out here. It’s hard. I enjoy staying home, but I miss it.”
“You miss the babies,” Daniel says. “You just need Da
“Da
I feel my cheeks heat as Da
“Oh stop,” Diane intervenes. “When Da
A few weeks later, February is about to end and I find myself staring at a vase of white orchids that were delivered moments ago. Each bloom is so perfect I have to brush one of the petals with my finger and thumb to verify they’re real. They are breathtaking—but they aren’t peonies.
“What are those?” Fitz asks in a sing-song voice, startling me from my trance. “Oh, Da
I haven’t opened the card to confirm they’re from Da
“What did the card say?”
“I haven’t read it yet. They just got here.”
Fitz’s eyebrows rise to show his disbelief in my delay, then slides the vase closer to me.
I fish through several stems to reach the card and pull it from the small plastic bracket.
Harper,
Please, for the love of my record, come to my match Saturday.
Otherwise, I’ll be too distracted wondering what you’re doing.
My victory depends on you—no pressure. ;)
Love,
Da
“That good?”
I slide the two tickets between my thumb and forefinger so Fitz can see them.
“Harper, do you realize how great these seats are? We’re going to be able to smell their sweat!”
My nose crinkles at the thought, and I drop my hand holding the tickets to the table. “Fitz, this is edging dangerously close to dating. I’ve hung out with him like five times in two weeks. Two of them … by myself.” I enunciate my last words since Fitz had called last minute to cancel on both occasions, claiming things had “come up.”
“Oh, come on! I’ll buy you a cotton candy!” Fitz pleads, palming the two tickets that are addressed to each of us.
“Fitz, I’m not ready to date. That one kiss about broke me. I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Hurt him? Wait until you see how tough he is, then you won’t be nearly so concerned.”
“Hardy har har,” I reply sarcastically.
“And not to hurt your feelings, babe, but he’s pretty well known—if that little scene at the bar was any indication for you. I don’t mean to sound chauvinistic, but there are a lot of women that voluntarily throw themselves at Da
The match is apparently a pretty big deal, though it’s untelevised. Da
People are going crazy by the time the match starts, screaming obscenities that make no sense, and are filled with rage. It has me feeling a little uneasy. Fitz sits beside me, undeterred as he looks up the stats on Da
“These nicknames are ridiculous,” I comment, reading a list of competitors that the Midnight Assassin has already defeated. “What’s Da
Fitz’s eyes dance as he looks at me with obvious amusement. “Double D.”
My eyes roll to the ceiling. “Oh my God, that’s even worse,” I cry, clasping a hand to my forehead. “Double D? Are you serious?”
“Harper! Fitz!”
My tirade on how unbelievably stupid and sexist I find Da
“Hey, guys! Da
“Wow, thank you,” I say in surprise, looking over to see Fitz rifling through his bag with an infectious amount of enthusiasm. “Thank you so much. This is really way too generous.”
“He’s thrilled to have you guys here tonight.”
I smile to avoid admitting how much I don’t want to be here, or watch this. “Tell Da
“He claims he isn’t nervous at all. That all his nerves were used up asking you to come.”
My cheeks redden and words escape me. I know that Da
“Tell him to overcompensate to his right. A friend of mine said that The Assassin’s trying to keep it quiet, but he pulled some ligaments on his right serratus anterior.”