Harper’s eyes haven’t left me, and I can tell she is plotting how to return the favor of my comment a moment ago.

The knock on the door saves this conversation from certainly steering into one full of innuendos that will surely give up the fact that there is something more than friendship going on in this apartment.

Opening the door to Mum and Dad, I can see their excitement at being here.

“Hi, Mum.” I lean down, kissing her cheek and giving her a deep hug, then look up at my dad standing patiently behind. Heaven help Dad, if he ever tried to walk in the door in front of Mum, stealing the first hug from her children.

“Dad.” I shake his hand and give him a man hug as Mum now rushes to Flynn. “How’s things?” I ask him as we walk into the apartment to join the others with the whirlwind that is my mother.

“Good, Son, really good. And can I just say, good luck tonight.” His deep little chuckle confirms what we already knew; Mum is so excited that she has been driving him crazy all day.

By the time I get to the others, Mum is fussing over saying hello to Felisha, and I can see Harper shrinking back a little.

That’s not like her at all, but I’m not about to let her feel uncomfortable around my family.

I step up behind her and place my hand on her lower back, feeling her lean into me without her even realizing she’s doing it.

“Mum, Dad, you remember Felisha’s best friend Harper who is my current house guest.” I can’t lie to my parents, so I didn’t even bother with introducing her as my friend, because she is fast becoming so much more.

“Harper, my dear, how are you?” And I wasn’t even thinking about my mother and how everyone she meets gets a hug, and the moment she goes to drag Harper into her arms, I pull Harper toward me.

“I think dinner is ready, let’s head to the table,” I announce, dragging Harper behind me and leaving everyone there just staring at us.

Pulling out her chair, I almost shove Harper down into it before pulling out the chair Mum is to sit in. “You can sit here, Mum.” Her seat is at the other end of the table from both me and Harper.

“Forrest,” Harper growls under her breath at the same time my mother is also calling my name.