“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so melodramatic with you.”

“It’s okay,” Harper said with a quick nod. “I’m glad we can talk like this.”

“Yes. Like friends.”

“Yeah…like friends.”

Later, however, while she lay wide awake, listening to Dani’s even breathing, she felt the fingers of attraction start to claw at her. Dani was on her side, facing her. Her head was touching her shoulder, her hand holding lightly to Harper’s arm. Dani hadn’t started out in that position, no. She’d first laid on her back as idle chitchat passed between them. Then she’d rolled away from Harper. In a matter of minutes, though, she turned again, moving closer to Harper. In sleep, she’d moved closer still to where she was now.

Harper closed her eyes, trying to find an image of Jan in her mind. It was a struggle, but finally one came—the mess of unruly brown hair, the laughing eyes, the teasing smile. Jan. Then the image slowly faded, replaced with another: blond hair, guarded blue eyes, a hesitant smile. Then that changed too…blue eyes that now twinkled, a smile turning into a laugh.

She opened her eyes, moving her head a fraction to look at Dani. The light from the bathroom made a streak across the bed, illuminating Dani’s hair. Her lips were slightly parted, and Harper’s gaze locked on them for countless seconds before she made herself look away. She blew out a heavy breath, wishing sleep would claim her already.

Chapter Thirty

Dani woke with a start, which was odd for her. She lifted her head from Harper’s shoulder, quite embarrassed for having been caught using it as a pillow.

“I heard it too,” Harper whispered. “Stay here.”

Dani scooted up to the wall, covering herself with the blanket as if it could offer some protection. Harper didn’t bother with her jeans, simply walking quickly to the window. She moved the curtains aside—hideous faded yellow ones—and looked out. Dani was comforted to see the gun in her hand. With the security chain still in place, Harper opened the door and peeked outside. Dani could see Harper relax as she closed the door again.

“Nothing.”

Dani let out a relieved sigh. “It was loud enough to wake me up. Whatever it was.”

Harper got back in bed. “I know. You normally sleep through anything.”

“It was a bang or something.”

“Yeah, sounded close. Let’s hope Reid doesn’t have a hooker in his room.”

Dani smiled at that as she scooted back down into her spot and settled beside Harper again. “Umm, I guess I was using you as a pillow. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, I’m getting used to it. You’re quite a snuggler.”