Harper looked at her and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be weird. We both know what it’s like, and we’re both freaking fantastic women now that some lucky, handsome men are going to spend their lives being grateful for.”

“I don’t think he trusts me.”

Gloria picked up her tea. “I don’t agree with you. But I do agree this is a big problem. So what are you going to do about it?”

Harper reached for the plate of cookies. “I don’t know. I don’t think this is a ‘you’re a million miles away, so let’s talk about our relationship’ kind of conversation. I can’t email him about this.”

“No,” Gloria agreed.

“So I guess I just try to process all of it until he comes home and then dump it on him like a bucket of ice water? ‘Welcome home, Luke. Why the hell didn’t you tell me about Karen?’”

“We’ll work on your delivery.”

Harper laughed and shoved a cookie in her mouth. “Thanks for being here for me.”

“Anytime,” Gloria said and meant it.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, feet tucked under them, sipping tea.

“How in the hell did no one in this big-mouthed little town spill the beans on this?” Harper wondered aloud.

Gloria gave a half smile. Benevolence was not known for its ability to keep quiet. “Well, I can’t say for sure. I wasn’t exactly in the loop when it all happened. But I think Luke took it very hard. Hard enough that his family worried they’d lose him too.”

Harper closed her eyes, and a tear slid free.

“I’m sorry,” Gloria said quickly.

“No, it’s just. Ugh. I’m being selfish and a horrible person. Can I say it and you won’t hold it against me?” Harper begged.

“Absolutely.”

“He loved her that much. Does that mean that he can’t love me at all? And am I willing to settle for scraps?”

“That doesn’t make you a horrible person,” Gloria said, nudging Harper with her bare foot. “That makes you a human being.”

“I love him so much,” Harper said quietly.

“I know you do. And you can do that no matter what happens. There’s never anything wrong with loving someone,” Gloria told her.

Harper let out a long, slow breath. “You’re right. Thanks, Gloria.”

“Do you want more tea?” Gloria offered.

“Do you have beer and chocolate?”

35

She should have been nervous. She should be trying to talk herself out of something she was most definitely going to regret. But for once in her whole life, Gloria had a full head of steam, and she was going to take it out on someone.