Chapter 17
HARLOW
“Are you sure you want the flowers there? I think they’d look much better over by the food,” Claire says, holding a clipboard to her chest while she cocks her head and stares at the arrangements of peonies and succulents with way more intensity than is required.
“Claire, I’ve said it one hundred times. I don’t care where anything is set up. I honestly don’t even understand why we need such a big fuss over me leaving. I’ll be back all the time, it’s not forever. Plus, I only have like, two friends in this town, so who all is going to come to a going away party for me?”
Claire’s pretty little face looks annoyed at my lack of gratitude, and she sweeps her long red hair back off her shoulders with a frustrated flick of her hand. “Plenty of people. I mean, did you see the bar? You wouldn’t even ask that question if you knew how much your dad paid for this party.”
I sigh. Another event that I’m the center of, that I want no part of.
“Listen, Harlow.” Claire looks at me with wide eyes and gives me what must be her ‘serious face.’ “I know your mama hasn’t been around, and I know that you don’t really consider me a mother-type figure.”
Um, understatement of the century. Claire’s like, five years older than I am. Who is she kidding?
“But I want you to know that I care about you. I love your daddy and I’m going to make sure he’s well taken care of while you’re away. I know you worry about him.”
I give a small nod. “Thanks, Claire.”
“And I got you a little something.” She reaches into her clutch and pulls out a small, gift-wrapped box.
“Oh, Claire, really, that wasn’t necessary.”
“No, no, I insist. I know your dad got you all set up over there in the city, but I want to do something special for you, too.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind,” I say.
My dad did go above and beyond with getting an apartment lined up. But he also put me on a payment schedule to make sure that I pay him every cent back. That’s good for us, though. It makes me feel a little less stuck under his thumb.
Claire nudges my hands. “Go on, open it. The guests will be here soon.”
I peel back the thick paper and lift the lid off of the white box. Inside is a dainty butterfly charm.
“It’s really beautiful, thank you,” I say.
“I wanted you to have something that would inspire you to spread your wings and fly, Harlow. You can be anything you want to. You can fulfill your dreams if you believe in yourself. Just like I did.”
I want to roll my eyes at her cheesy sentiment. I want to ask what exactly her dreams are? She doesn’t work, and her claim to fame is being my dad’s girlfriend. I hardly consider that ‘spreading your wings.’
But, before I can say anything else, Gunner Hunt, man of my dreams, walks into the room wearing a well-fitted, blue suit.
My mama used to whisper to her lady friends that a well-tailored suit on a man does for women what good lingerie does for men. I didn’t understand what she meant back then, but now I know exactly why she blushed when my daddy came down dressed up in one of his best suits.
I don’t know if I’ve ever been more turned on in my whole life. I want to ditch this party even more now. I rush over to Gunner, my heels clicking on the sleek marble floor the entire way.
“You came,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling his lips to mine. I run my fingers down the soft lapel of his jacket. "And you look incredible, Gunner. I mean...” I let my eyes roam up and down his body, and love the slow, sexy smile that works over his mouth. “Wow," I breathe.
“Of course I came. You think I’d miss saying goodbye to you?” He leans close, wets his lips with his tongue, and says in a voice so low it sends chill bumps up and down the back of my neck, "And you...I can't wait to peel this pretty little dress off of you later."
I swallow hard. “We’d still say goodbye, Gunner. I mean, properly. I just didn’t know if you’d really show up, with my dad here and everything—”
“I’m not worried about your pops, Harlow. He wants what’s best for you, same as me,” Gunner says, as he strokes my arm with the back of his hand.
I want this, right here, forever.
“I wish things were easier. I wish you could go with me. I wish—”
Gunner cuts me off with his lips pressed hard on mine.
“How much time do we have before everyone shows up?” he asks, his voice hot and desperate.
“Not enough,” I say, grabbing his lapels and shaking my head before I plaster a big smile on my face. “Speaking of which, there’s my dad.”
I feel Gunner’s posture go rigid as we turn toward my dad, who’s walking up the steps of the country club.
“Harlow, I hope you’re not making a spectacle of yourself, dear.” Dad’s eyes dart quickly from me to Gunner and back again.
I shake my head and look to my left and right. “Dad, there’s no one even here.”
“Harvey Mills,” Dad says, extending his hand to Gunner. “And you are?”
“Gunner Hunt, sir, pleasure to meet you.”
Dad squints at Gunner like he may recognize him. Maybe from that time in the greenhouse when he walked in and Gunner was still shirtless and buttoning the fly of his jeans.
“Gunner. Huh. So, you’re the one that got this new career all lined up for my girl?” Dad asks, his voice just on the side of being harsh.
“No sir, I just got her to a director. She did the rest on her own. It’s her talent that got her the job.” Gunner puts a protective arm around me, and I lean into his strength.
My father nods noncommittally and excuses himself to go find Claire.
“Thank you,” I whisper, turning to look up at Gunner.
“For what?” he asks.
“For what you said. To my father.” I watch Gunner’s jaw work back and forth. “What is it?”
“It’s just...I don’t like the idea of you feeling embarrassed about yourself or what you do, baby.” He sets his hands on my shoulders. “This whole big production, isn’t it supposed to be about you doing what you love?”
“Yes,” I whisper, feeling like I’m about to wilt.
“I don’t think it would be too hard for your father to acknowledge that you are pretty damn amazing is all.” He pulls me close and is about to kiss me when the door bursts open, and Daisy runs at me, arms wide.
“I heard there was gonna be a killer party here!” she hollers.
I laugh and shush her while my father and Claire frown from across the room.
“Do you always have to be so damn crazy?” I ask, crushing her in a hug.
“I have every right to go a little crazy when my best friend accomplishes her dream! I already scoped out tickets online. I’ll be there, front row, opening night, screaming and cheering for you,” she promises, and I kiss her cheek.
“It’s Broadway, not some rock concert, you crazy thing,” I scold. Gunner stands to the side and smiles wryly.
Daisy turns her attention his way suddenly. “Hot mother of all that’s holy. You clean up damn nice, Gunner Hunt.”
He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles. “You look very beautiful, Daisy.”
She fans her face and giggles, turning to me. “He can sure as shit turn that charm on, can’t he? So, is there gonna be dancing at this party? Oooh, drinks!”
We watch Daisy beeline to the bar and flirt like crazy with the handsome young bartender. Gunner shakes his head, but he’s laughing. Before we can say another word, guests start to spill in.
Most are my father’s friends and business acquaintances. Claire thought ahead enough to invite the girls from my dance class, and it’s wonderful to see them, because they actually want to know every detail of the audition and the rehearsal schedule. Daisy and Gunner always listen politely, but they don’t want to hear everything a million times the way other dancers do.
I’m just beginning to relax and enjoy the party when Claire taps her glass and everyone stops talking and looks to the front of the room. My father is holding up a glass of champagne and waiters are buzzing around, making sure everyone has a glass.
“I’m so glad you all made it here today. As you may have heard, we have had some exciting news in the Mills family. My daughter, Harlow, has been accepted to dance on Broadway.”
I feel my cheeks go pink, and I can’t keep the smile off my face. I’ve waited a long time for something like this, and it feels so good to hear my father talk about my dancing with pride in his voice. Everyone claps and there are lots of murmurs from the crowd that sound impressed.
“Now, as good as that news is,” my father says over the buzz, “what Harlow doesn’t know is that I’ve set her up so that when she comes back from this little dance run, she’ll be able to take her place at my side and become the vice president of accounts. I’ve already talked to your college about finishing your business degree after this leave of absence. And, Clay, I think we’ll have to get you two on a few, er, business dates when she gets back, right?”
The audience turns to look at Clay, who smiles and gives an awkward little wave. I’m holding the glass in my hand so hard, I’m afraid I’ll break it, and my hand shakes so much, I slosh champagne over the rim. I blink hard, trying like hell to hold back the tears.
I look over for Gunner, just wanting to have him hold me in his arms, but he’s not by my side. I’m about to bolt out the door, but I look up and see Gunner jumping onto the stage where my dad is still standing.
“Uh, thank you for the lovely words, Mr. Mills,” he says dryly, and a few people laugh. My heart knocks hard in my chest.
“Yes,” my father announces loudly. “Let’s toast to my daughter, Harlow—”
“Not yet.” Gunner’s voice echoes through the room. My dad leans close and murmurs something low into Gunner’s ear. Gunner’s face gets a look of fury, and one hand balls into a fist, but he doesn’t say a word for a second.
“What in the hell is going on?” Daisy asks, suddenly at my side. The crowd around us is whispering pretty much the same thing.
“I only have a minute to say this,” Gunner says, and my father scowls. Everyone in the room looks up at him. “So I’ll be quick. I grew up on the wrong side of town, with no one giving a shi—excuse me. With no one giving much of a care how I turned out. And I didn’t do much other than live up to everyone’s low expectations.”
The room is silent, like we’re all holding our breath, waiting for his next words.
Gunner points to me. “Then I met Harlow Grace Mills. And my life changed. Because she has the biggest heart and the best soul of any person I’ve ever known. A few weeks ago, I got the chance to watch Harlow dance.” He shakes his head, his smile making my heart jump in my chest. “I’ve seen a lot of beauty in my life, but nothing can hold a candle to watching Harlow glow when she dances. And, much as I hate to see her leave Piedmont, I love that other people will get to see that passion. Get to come close to that beauty. I know that watching Harlow do what she loves changed me. It made me ashamed for wasting time. I want you to know how proud I am of you, Harlow Grace. And how much I love you.” He locks eyes with me and his voice goes hoarse. “Cheers.”
My father grimaces, but is forced to clap along with the explosion of whistles and cheers from the crowd.
“Holy hell, that boy is going to have a good night with you, isn’t he?” Daisy asks.
I laugh and she pushes my arm. “What are you waiting for?” she demands. “You better run to him.”
And I do. As fast as I can, I run into his arms and kiss him in front of everyone. “You hate speaking in front of people,” I say into his ear.
He crushes me close. “There’s nothing I hate so much that I’d let it stand in the way of making the girl I love happy.”
“Oh, Gunner. Thank you so much. I love you.” I look into his eyes and my knees go weak. “Can we leave?”
“C’mon, kitten. I think this party has peaked.”
We race out, laughing, to his car, and he drives the opposite way from his house. “Where are we headed?” I ask.
“I think we need to send you off right.” That’s all he says, and I sit tight as we pull up at the cemetery.
He comes around to open my door and pops the trunk. There are two packed bags and, lying next to them, a bouquet of yellow roses and one of daisies.
We walk silently, first to my mother’s headstone. Gunner stands, feet apart, hands clasped behind his back, as if he’s at attention. I sink to my knees and lay the yellow flowers on her grave. I bow my head, but I don’t say a word, because the tears are falling too hard and fast for me to get a handle on my voice. But I know that my mama would understand what I’m feeling. I know she’d be so happy that I was going to dance. And that I’d have a man like Gunner at my side.
I stand after a few long minutes and brush the grass off my knees, then walk with Gunner and watch as those big, strong hands that always touch me just right place the delicate bouquet on the earth. He lays his hand flat on the top of the stone, and, though he looks emotional, he opens his mouth and says, “Mama, I miss you so much. It hurts every day. But what hurts most is that you never got a chance to meet Harlow. You would have loved her as much as I do. I know that.”
His voice goes raw, and I stand near him, glad when he wraps me in his arms.
“Thank you for taking me here,” I say softly.
“I promised you once I’d be the one to go with you. I’m sorry it took me this long to make good on it.” His mouth is tight with regret.
“Forget all that. We’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
He leads me back to the car, and, again, we travel away from the house. The drive is long, and it’s so dark, I don’t know where we are at first. But Gunner squeezes my hand and we pull up at a place that is familiar once I look again.
“Gunner?” I’m confused about why we’re here.
A young man runs out of the office to meet the car. “Mr. Hunt?” he asks. Gunner nods. “Your cabin is ready.”
We drive down the path the boy points out and come to the cabin where we first made love.
Gunner parks and comes around to get my door, grabs the bags, and leads me to the cabin. When he opens it, it’s been cleaned and decorated beautifully. There are flowers everywhere and candles on every surface.
“Gunner? What is all this?” I ask, looking around in wonder.
But Gunner Hunt doesn’t answer me.
Because he’s on his knee, a small black box in one hand.
My hand jumps to cover my mouth. “Gunner? W-w-what—”
“Harlow Grace, you’ve been my North Star, the love of my damn life, and the one person who loved me even when I didn’t deserve it at all. I’ve been a jackass, a jerk, a stupid, blind idiot. But you opened my eyes to love. Right now I’m on my knees begging you for a second chance. I know I screwed up before, but if you agree to be my wife, I promise you that you will never want for a damn thing, because I will provide for you, everything for you. You will never shoulder a single burden alone. I will cherish you and support you for the rest of our lives. If you’ll just let me.”
I’m shaking so hard, I back up to the door, grabbing the frame for support. “Are you...? Is this...? Are you proposing to me?”
Gunner looks down at the box in his hands, then up at me. “Hell, kitten, I’m trying to. Are you saying ‘yes’?”
“Yes!” I run to him, fall to my knees, kiss his mouth, run my fingers through his hair. “Yes, yes, yes!”
He stands up, laughing nervously. “Good Lord, I was scared for a second that you were going to bolt on me.” He takes my left hand and slides the ring onto it gently.
I gaze down at it, gorgeous and sparkling on my finger. “It’s so beautiful! It’s perfect! Gunner!”
I take his face in my hands and kiss him deeply, and he walks me back to the bed, laying me back with gentle pressure.
“I remember exactly what you looked like that night we came here. How your hair was all over the pillows and your eyes were so wide...you were so gorgeous. Like an angel.” He drags his fingertips down my cheek. “How the hell is it possible that you’ve you gotten more beautiful since then?”
“I love you so much,” I breathe, just a second before Gunner Hunt, my future husband, leans his head down to kiss me, to love me, to be with me completely and never let me go.