Enticed by James Harlow

Author:James, Harlow [James, Harlow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary
Amazon: B084Q8V122
Goodreads: 167838709
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Published: 2020-03-14T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Clara

I usually love this time of year, when the weather changes and you can spend more time outside. Being stuck in an office all day and then having to come home and stay inside more because the ground is covered in snow makes me feel like a prisoner in my own home. When the evenings extend in daylight and the warmth in the air makes it comfortable outside, I look forward to coming home and sitting on my porch with a glass of wine and soaking up the crisp air and noises of Emerson Falls around me.

I spent a week in Boston meeting two current clients and one new potential account. It was a successful trip, but I am ready to soak up the evening and relax.

“How was Boston?” Penny greets me as I close the door on the Uber who just drove me home from the airport.

“Hey there, Bad Penny. It went great and I even had some time to see some sights.” I grab my suitcase and start for my door as Penny approaches me.

“Good. Glad you had a good time. So, care to fill me in on the Cooper situation?” It’s just right now that I realize I haven’t really spoken to Penny since before my date with Cooper. It’s been weeks and I’m sure she’s itching for information.

“What Cooper situation?” I play dumb, even though I’m sure Penny has an inkling to our secret. She waves me over to her porch so we can sit on her swing.

“Oh, Clara, cut the shit. I know you and Cooper have been sneaking around. You two might think you’re being inconspicuous, but I’m right next door. I can hear his bike when he rides over at night and I can hear you screaming when he’s pounding you real’ good.”

I almost choke on my spit and then turn to look at her. “Jesus, Penny! Really?” I have to admit though—when Cooper gets going, he does make me lose it.

“Yup. Sounds like you’re benefitting just fine from your situation. But is that all it is, Clara? Friends with benefits?”

I stare out at the street as a few cars pass by and a family comes riding down the sidewalks on their bikes. A slight breeze rustles through the trees in our yards, birds chase each other through the sky, and the flowers in Penny’s yard are already starting to bloom.

Spring is supposed to be a time of rebirth—the point in the year when all the plants come out of hibernation and sprout again, fighting to live yet another season and bask in the rays of the sun. And over the past month and a half, I definitely feel like I’m changing right along with the season.

Attending regular therapy sessions with Dr. Martinez has helped more than I’d care to admit—but Kane was right. Talking to someone else about my fear and anxiety that manifested from the night of the attack has helped my triggers subside tremendously.

And now my situation with Cooper has shifted something else inside of me—something I’m not so sure I want to admit yet.

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