“I can’t lose her. I didn’t ever think I’d find her, Rem, that it wasn’t in the cards for me. And not that she is fully on board yet, but she will be. Because this is more than just a situationship. There are real feelings here.” I thump at my heart as I turn back to him. “I don’t know what to do with them yet, but I want the chance to find out.” My voice is lower now, and the emotions of talking about how I feel for Harper has me trying to rein in my anger and concentrate on finding my calm for her. I want her to remember this day for years to come and not from me losing my shit or her finding out that her family are in danger too.

“And you will, Forrest. I promise you. Trust me.” Rem walks toward me and places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze of reassurance.

“I do.” I give him a nod to let him know this conversation is over. “Just give me a few minutes.”

Rem gives my shoulder another squeeze and turns, leaving me to take a few deep breaths and bring back the happy Forrest that Harper is expecting to walk back out onto the balcony. Well, not necessarily happy but not the angry fucker I am now. Although she is used to my arrogant ass.

Harper will start to wonder if I have fallen into the toilet I’ve been gone so long, and I know I need to get back out to her. Taking one last deep breath, I start walking outside, and as I get close, Flynn lets out a deep laugh, and I know that they must still be on the stories from that damn podcast.

“Hey, you okay?” she whispers to me as I sit down beside her. It strangely brings warmth through me that she is checking in on me.

“I am now,” I whisper back as I kiss her cheek and place my arm around her shoulder, and she relaxes into my body. My mind is still racing with thoughts on how we can fix this problem, but while Harper is in my arms, I allow myself to feel somewhat settled.

After another round of coffees, I look at my watch and see that the cars will be here to pick us all up shortly, to head out for my birthday surprise fun.