“It took me years to accept the fact that it wasn’t my fault that John died.” His shoulders slacked. “I don’t know if I’ll ever truly forgive myself for what happened. But that doesn’t mean you should feel the same way.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that you can’t live somebody else’s life for them. They have to make their own choices, and sometimes all we can do is learn to live with them.”

“Hmm.” Harper let out a long breath. “When I stopped by today, I didn’t realize I’d get such a profound life lesson.”

“Sorry.” Daniel looked embarrassed and laughed a little. “I didn’t mean to like go all … dark on you.”

“No, it’s good.” She scratched her head and smiled at him. “I think … I think I needed to hear that.”

“Good. Glad I could help,” he said. “So, what did you stop by for anyway?”

“I…” She briefly considered lying, but after he’d been so honest with her, she couldn’t. “I don’t really know.”

“You just wanted to see me?” Daniel asked with a small smirk.

“I guess so.”

“Are you hungry?” Daniel got up before she could answer.

There wasn’t much of a walkway in the boat, so just the act of standing up brought Daniel disconcertingly close. He moved closer so he stood right in front of her, mere inches from touching her.

“You want anything?” Daniel asked as she stared up at him.

“What?” Harper asked, and she had no idea what he’d even asked her. She found herself strangely mesmerized by the flecks of blue in his hazel eyes.

To open his fridge, he had to bend over and lean to the side, and he brushed up against her as he did. Even when he opened the door, he kept his eyes on Harper as he pulled out a couple of cans of soda.

“You want something to drink or eat?” He straightened up, holding out a can to her.

She took it, smiling thinly at him. “Thanks.”

Daniel didn’t move, though, instead staying right in front of her. When a boat sped by, causing a wave to rock his boat, he fell forward a bit. He caught himself by putting a hand on either side of Harper. As he pressed up against her, she could feel the warmth of his bare chest through the thin fabric of her shirt.

“Sorry,” Daniel said, his voice low, but he still didn’t move away from her.

His face hovered right above hers, and Harper could feel him leaning in to her, as if she were pulling him into her orbit. His eyes searched hers, and she didn’t know how she’d never noticed how beautiful his eyes were before.