Jump Start

25. Twenty-five

Twenty-five

Thomas

T his weekend, I was taking Harper to meet my family. I didn’t care what my parents thought of her, I loved her and that was all that mattered. I cared more about what Harper would think. I had brought a few girlfriends home in the past, but I realised they were only there for the ‘status’ that came with being with my family, or whatever ulterior motive they had in mind.

I knew for sure that Harper couldn’t give two shits what my family did, and she wasn’t the biggest fan of the horse racing industry to begin with. I didn’t blame her. I hoped that maybe if she saw how well my family’s horses were looked after, then maybe she would see that there were some cruelty-free studs out there.

My thoughts were interrupted by my brother calling. I answered with a smile.

“Well, personally, I can’t wait to meet your girl. Maybe she’ll realise she chose the wrong brother and go for me instead?” Xavier asked in between coughs of laughter.

“Or maybe she will realise that she made the right choice,” I replied seriously. His joke had hit a nerve.

“Not bloody likely.”

“In all seriousness, little bro, I am looking forward to seeing you. It’s been too long. Like a year, right?” Xavier asked.

I tried to think back to when I had seen him last. I reckon it was the season-opening last year in Darwin.

“Yeah, Darwin, last year. Almost a year and a half ago, mate.”

That was too long in between drinks as far as my brother and I were concerned.

I tried to see him when I could, but he was rather inflexible, his own building business keeping him firmly planted on Melbourne soil.

“Well, I’ll see you Sunday, mate. I’ll be the buffer if Mum or Dad get too intense.”

It was impossible not to warm up to Harper. With her long blonde hair, gorgeous smile, and welcoming personality. What was there not to love?

***

I arrived at Echidna and was greeted by Harper, who’d just pulled up by herself. She had gone back to her apartment in the city and was grumbling about the hour-long drive she’d just endured to get to the office.

“Okay, I hate the commute already.” Of course, it was morning, so unhappy Harper was present.

“You better put your smile on before you reach the inside of the building,” I said with a smirk, trying not to irk her even further.

She smiled a little too enthusiastically at me.

“Perfect, that won’t scare anyone.”

We walked into the office together and greeted everyone as we made our way through the building.

There was something so comforting about arriving with her, knowing she would now be just down the hall. Maybe I was selfish, but I wanted her to be happy at Echidna and with me.

Even though she hadn’t officially started yet, she was still coming in to add a few bits and pieces of décor to her office, as well as joining in on a few meetings.

I found it quite distracting having her in some of the discussions. I would find myself staring at her, remembering the last time her hand was wrapped around my—

“Earth to Thomas,” Harper said as she knocked on my office door.

Busted.

“Sorry! Was in another world,” I said, feeling a little flushed. I briefly looked down to make sure I could stand up without embarrassment. Not quite.

Harper caught the look on my face and winked at me.

“You were thinking about sex, weren’t you?” she commented as I slowly stood from my desk.

“What, no? Come on, be professional. This is a workplace,” I said very unconvincingly.

She swiftly patted my butt before we walked out to the canteen to grab some lunch.

***

“So, weekend with the family. I’m so excited to meet everyone!” Harper mentioned enthusiastically as she retrieved her lunch from the fridge and took a seat nearby, at the table we always seemed to sit at.

I gathered my lunch as well.

“I’m looking forward to you meeting them too. My parents can be a little standoffish, but they will come around. Xavier will give you a hard time but all in jest, of course.” I could feel the smile on my face talking about my brother.

“What if I find him hotter than you?” Her comment made us both laugh.

“That’s what he said. Then you’ll be in a pickle, won’t you?” I replied.

She reached out across the table and placed her hand briefly on top of time. I was about to speak when her phone rang.

“Oh! Hey, Dad, how are you doing?” Her voice was a little higher, almost sweeter when she spoke to her father. She was his little girl, always.

I can only imagine how he felt raising her, wanting to protect her at all costs, to love her as much as she deserved. I watched her speak on the phone and found myself daydreaming about us together, living together and working together. I felt a profound pull on my heartstrings just looking at her. She made me feel more worthy of love and the successes in my life than anyone.

“Yeah, I am so excited! It’s going great. I haven’t officially started yet, but I wanted to come in and get my office looking cute. You know me.”

She kept her eyes on me as she spoke, which again, did not help the tightness of my pants. What the fuck was going on?