Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Damn,” Xander says, and I can almost hear him shaking his head. “I can tell the two of you had something special. Not a lot of people would be willing to go up against someone like Malik for just anyone. I know you must have really cared about her.”
“I do. I still love her,” I say, running my fingers through my hair. Admitting it to someone else feels vulnerable but poignant. All my life, I’ve grown up with everything I’ve ever wanted handed to me. With that comes a lot of women trying to crawl into your bed.
I’ve never been taken with a woman the way that I am with Harper. She’s not like anybody else I’ve ever met, and meeting her has been life-changing for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever find anything like this again.
“You love her?” Xander asks, more surprised than anything. “Dawson, if you love her, you’re stupid to let her go. It’s not every day you find someone you want to share your life with. Do you know how much different my life would be right now if it weren’t for Ella?”
I think about it for a moment and realize there’s truth to what he’s saying. Before he met Ella, his life was fine. He had money and power, everything he thought he would have wanted. But since being with her, he’s transformed. Their relationship has made him a better person all around.
I could have had that too.
“You’re right,” I say as I stand up and grab my briefcase to leave the office. “I’m not going to give it up. I’ll talk to her.”
We hang up the phone, and I immediately text my driver to get the limo ready as I rush from the office to the parking garage. I have to find Harper, and I have to tell her the truth. I don’t want to live in a world where she and I aren’t together. Harper belongs at my side, just like I belong at hers.
Of course, I want her to be happy. But I know that she’ll be happiest when she’s with me. I’ve got to get her back, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
The limo is ready by the time I reach the garage, and I climb in, telling the driver the address. Throughout the entire duration of the drive, I nervously tap my finger on my knee and think about all the different ways this could go. Harper could tell me she hates me and never wants to see me again, slamming the door in my face. Or maybe she confesses to also loving me and wanting to get back together.
All I can do is hope for the best. I let that hope carry me from the car to her dorm room as I arrive. I stand outside the door for a moment before knocking. It only takes a few seconds for me to hear footsteps on the other side and the door to open. When Harper sees me, her eyes go wide, and she backs up slightly from the shock.
“Dawson? What are you doing here?” Harper asks in a low voice.
“I’m here because I love you,” I blurt out before I can think any better of this. It could very well be a mistake, but I’ll forever kick myself for not trying. I know that I’m meant to be with her, and I have to at least tell her that. “You’re the only woman that I ever want to be with. I want to start over with you. No contracts, no lies. Just you and I going on a simple date and getting to know each other for real.”
Harper just stares at me with surprise on her face as she listens to my proposal. She might be skeptical, and I understand that, but I just hope I can do something to ease her worries.
“I’ll do whatever you want, Harper. You’re all I think about. Everywhere I go, I’m reminded of you, and I can’t take it anymore.” I pause and take a step forward, hoping she’ll back away and let me in her room so we can talk about this. “What do you say? Can we give it a try?”
Harper only blinks and stares at me. My heart sinks to my stomach as I worry she’s going to say no.
Chapter 30
Harper
I can’t believe this is happening. Dawson is here, and he’s asking me for a second chance. A week ago, I would have said hell no and slammed the door in his face. The two of us have a very difficult past, and I didn’t think it was something I would be able to get through. But now things have changed.
As horrible as it sounds, him killing Dave has really shown me that he’s willing to do anything to make sure I’m safe and happy. Maybe I have something wrong with me for thinking that’s admirable—everybody who’s ever caused me pain has been taken care of by Dawson. In a way, I should trust him more than I do anyone else.