“Noted.” My eyes flicked back down to the page. “Find a passion, but don’t let it define you. Seize the day when it feels right. You’re never too old to play hooky.”

Harper chuckled. “Mom was annoyed that I didn’t join the fun on senior cut day.”

I grinned. “I didn’t either,” I blurted before I could think.

Harper leaned in. “Really?” Her tone was a little intrigued but not overly surprised.

“I mean I didn’t go to school but I didn’t join the fun either. All our friends did, but I…uh, stayed home.”

She nodded, somewhat satisfied with the answer and somewhat disappointed. It was hard to tell. As it always was with Harper.

“Well, I think your brother and I were one of the few that did show up to Ms. Altman’s calculus class.”

“You remember August being there?”

“I remember a lot about him.” She nodded and dipped her eyes to her food.

I was tempted to ask what else she remembered about him but got distracted watching her bite into a strawberry. I blinked and cleared my throat, holding up the list which had a few items left.

“Don’t offend easily,” I raised a brow at that one. “Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.”

She smiled and turned her head out the window.

“Watch the Little Mermaid over and over again, until someone else can make you smile that much.” I read with a frown. “Assuming you liked the movie?”

She chuckled and pressed her lips together. “I had a crush on the crab, it’s no big deal.” She snatched the page from me.

That was quite possibly when I laughed the hardest all morning. Hell, possibly all month. “What like the voiceover actor?”

“No. The crab itself. Sebastian was hilarious. And so romantic.”

I covered my mouth with my hand. “This is priceless information. Do you know what I could do with this?” I warned.

She shrugged carelessly. “I have no shame.” She tore into a buttered pancake with delight that melted me and I wanted to reach for her. It occurred to me that I’d barely touched her since we woke up this morning and it felt odd.

“Have you ever thought of altering your list?”

She dipped back. “What’s wrong with it?”

“People change. I’m sure you’re not the same person you were three or even two years ago.”

“The list doesn’t change. But I suppose there’s no harm in adding to it.”

That’s a start.

After a few minutes, Harper moaned, setting her fork down on a half-eaten platter. “I’m stuffed.”

I laid some cash on the table and stood, holding out my hand. “Come on. Let’s do it.”

“What are we doing?”

“Playing hooky.”

Her mouth dropped as she considered it. “I have to be at work in twenty minutes and I thought you had someplace to be.”