Chapter 18: The “Morning-after Talk”

The next morning, Harper woke up with a headache. “Good God, did a truck rollover my head?” she moaned. “That bad huh?” a voice said behind her. She flinched as the events of the previous night came back to her, well, some of them. She remembered going to a bar with Kira, being upset at Cole for moving on, then drinking too much. Did she let a guy take her to a hotel room? Shit, she never did one-night stands. Slowly, she turned to see the man she’d obviously gotten down with last night since she was buck naked. “Cole?!” He yawned and grinned, “Good morning.” She scrambled back, away from him. He looked hurt for a moment but quickly replaced it with confusion. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “We...we...we…” she couldn’t get the words out. She shook her head as if to wake up from this dream. Sleeping with Cole while she was drunk was worse than sleeping with a stranger while she was drunk for the sole reason that she didn’t remember shit. Dammit; their first time together had been just as forgotten as this time. “We had sex,” he said slowly, as if afraid she’d got balistic at the revelation. And she had scampered away like her ass was on fire. She nodded, “We had sex. Right...uh…” “You don’t remember any of it, do you?” She couldn’t meet his gaze and shook her head. “I figured you wouldn’t. I’m sorry.” Her head snapped up, “You’re sorry?! For what?!” “Taking advantage of you.” She shook her head, “I’d probably have done it if I was not drunk. My drunk self is a lot more honest than my not drunk self.” He shifted uncomfortably and she got the impression that she’d said something really stupid last night. “Do you remember what you said last night?” he asked. Bingo; she was right. “No. What did I say? Please tell me it wasn’t stupid.” He shook his head, “It wasn’t.” He didn’t elaborate so she decided he’d tell her when he was ready. Maybe ignorance was bliss. He motioned for her to come back to him, which she did, snuggling up against him. That’s when she had a flashback to another part of last night. It was she and Cole in this same position and he whispered “I love you” into her ear. She bolted upright, headbutting him. “Fuck woman. Are you trying to give me a concussion?!” “Sorry. I just remembered something from last night.” Or was it a dream? She looked into his eyes; had he really said that? Did he still love her? “What? What did you remember?” he asked cautiously. She looked down at her fingers, “What you said, or at least I think you said it.” He tilted her face back toward him, “What did I say?” Tears welled up in her eyes, “That you-did you use a condom?” “What?” “A condom. Where’s the wrapper?” “Shit, no, I didn’t. I wasn’t planning on sex so I had no need of a condom.” She pressed her hand to her stomach, “So we can have bun two in the oven?”
Cole couldn’t help the smile that formed on his face, “Yeah, we can.” “And you’re okay with that?” “Of course I am. I love Em and she could use a brother or sister.” Harper sighed with relief, “Okay, yeah, then it’s okay with me.” He kissed her belly, “Hey little guy, or girl, I can’t wait to meet you.” Harper laughed. He loved her laugh; he loved everything about her. He loved just being with her even when they weren’t doing anything. He intertwined their fingers together, deciding to cut the bull and be straight with her. From the look in her eyes earlier, he knew she’d remembered the most important thing he’d told her last night. “Harper,” he said in a serious tone. She looked down at him, “Yeah?” “I really do still love you.” She gasped, “Cole….” “Don’t. I get it if you don’t feel the exact same way but I think we should give what we have a second chance.” “...What about Kate?” “Friend-with-benefit.” “Oh.” “What do you say? We don’t have to be official but casual just to see if we can make it work.” For a moment she remained silent then she finally nodded, “I’d like that.” He pulled her down into a crushing kiss that was interrupted by the ringing of his phone.
Cole was going to kill whomever interrupted his moment. “What?” he barked into his phone. Harvey chuckled, “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” Cole sighed, “Harvey, what do you want?” “It’s my wedding day! Can’t a man be excited?!” “Yes, yes he can, but he doesn't call his friends first thing in the morning.” “Good thing that’s not why I called.” “Then why did you call me? I’m busy.” “Let me guess, with Harper.” Cole gulped, “... Why did you call?” “Cole, my sister is 20 and I support you both; I’d like to think that the two of you belong together.” Cole smiled, “Yeah okay, why did you call? I’m busy with your sister.” Harvey chuckled, “Kate called Kira.” “Okay and?” “She was asking for you.” “And what did Kira tell her?” “That you and I had gone out to get drinks and you crashed at our place.” Cole grinned, “Tell Kira I owe her one.” “No need. I know my sister can be a clingy bitch. I think you and Harper make a great couple. I mean, she did cry over you while she was drinking, snot dribbling into her drink and all.” Kira said from somewhere behind Harvey. Cole chuckled, “Thanks.” “So what are you going to do about Kate? She’s still the maid of honor and everything.” Harvey said. “I’ll still do everything with her but that’s it. I’ll make it very clear we, whatever we were, are over.” “Good for you.” “Is that all you called for?” “One more thing: if you and Harper are late to my wedding because of your own escapades, I’ll have your eyes.” “Yes, sir. How’s Em? I think I heard her in the back.” Harvey sighed, “Kira’s been paying more attention to her than me this morning.” Cole laughed, “Sounds like Harper.” “Tell me about it. Anyways, I’ll see you in a bit.” “Okay, thanks.” “Mhm.” He hung up. Harper curled back into his side, “You make an excellent pillow.”