Gloria returned the hug. “Me, too. I owe it all to you, you know.”

Harper released her. “Don’t be silly. You got yourself here in a real home with a sexy man making you grilled cheese. You deserve every bit of it.”

She couldn’t help it. Her heart was singing. She had to share just a little. “I’m so happy, Harper. I never imagined life could be like this.” She hugged Aldo’s sweatshirt closer. “Enough gushing. Can I interest you in a half-burnt grilled cheese?”

“Is that my old pal Harpoon out there?” Aldo poked his shirtless torso out of the kitchen, and Gloria felt the familiar pitter pat of affection and lust curl in her belly.

Harper laughed weakly. “Hey, sport. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“When are we hitting the trails again? Got a new blade that’ll leave you in my dust.”

“Nice,” Harper said, threading a hand through her hair. She looked nervous, resigned. “I actually wanted to let you both know that I’m, uh, leaving.”

“Vacation leaving?” Gloria asked, her brow furrowed. Harper couldn’t leave. Not with Luke finally ready to make amends. This was her friend’s shot at her own happily ever after.

Harper shook her head.

“Happy trails leaving?” Aldo pressed. He was always calm in a crisis. Yet another thing Gloria loved about the man.

“Happy trails. Or, just reasonably okay trails at this point,” Harper joked.

“It’s not because of Luke and Linc’s fight to the death in the grocery store is it?” Gloria asked.

“I heard they were both banned for life after they destroyed the bread aisle,” Aldo interjected. “Buns and loaves everywhere.”

Harper rolled her eyes. “Well, the small-town rumors are one thing I won’t miss.”

“Are you giving up on him?” Gloria asked, her heart aching for her friend.

“I have to. For my sake. For his. I can’t change him. And I can’t stay here either.”

“You have friends here,” Gloria reminded her.

“And I’m so grateful to have you all in my life. But Benevolence is Luke’s home, and me staying here is just going to be a painful reminder to both of us of what was.”

Gloria weighed her words carefully. “I disagree with you, but as your friend, I will support your decision. As long as you promise to let us come visit you,” Gloria said. She felt her panic level rising. If Harper left before Friday, everything would be ruined.

“Of course,” Harper said with a teary smile.

“So where exactly will we be visiting you?” Aldo asked, hands on hips, still clutching a spatula. His gaze skated to Gloria, telegraphing the same feelings. She needs to hang in just a little longer.

“I’m not really sure, yet. I’m leaving Saturday, so obviously I have to have a plan then. I’ll let you know.” She bit her lip.