“I know. I don’t understand it, she usually only messes with them once, but I’ve been hearing a lot about Jakob. Not about him on the ice, but rather in the bed.”

“He’s a good guy, but he’s looking for the one.”

“Well, Harper is not the one. Tell him to watch it, she is a heart breaker.”

“Wonderful. Tell her to dump him.”

“She tried, but he keeps coming back, and I don’t know? I’m not telling you what she says!” Elli blushed as she covered her face. When she peeked at him, he smiled.

“Let’s leave them to do what they need to do.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said with a grin, “Can I ask you something else?”

“Sure.”

“I feel like this has been an interview.”

“That’s how dates are, we are learning about each other.”

“True, but this is a silly question…what are you wearing to our date tomorrow?”

Shea had never had a girl ask him that. He looked at her surprised as she bit her lip. Then he laughed out loud, causing her to giggle uncontrollably.

“I told you it was a dumb question!”

“It’s not! I’ve never had a girl ask me that.”

“I just don’t know if I should dress dressy or casual or dressy casual. I’m freaking out!”

She threw her hands over her mouth, her cheeks so red that he was pretty sure he felt the heat from them. He sat up, crossing his legs so he could sit in front of her. He took her hands off her mouth, kissing her palms before kissing her lips sweetly. He brought his hands up, cupping her face gently.

“You don’t need to freak out about me. I’m easy going.” She just nodded, looking dazed. He loved that look on her. “I’m probably going to be slightly dressy since we are going to PF Changs.”

“Okay,” she almost whispered.

“Now, come here, give me some more of those kisses.” She bit her lip before he covered her mouth with his. As Shea’s mouth met Elli’s all her could think was that his life would be complete if he could kiss Elli every day.

When Shea dropped Elli off at the studio, they kissed goodbye in the truck because she had clients inside. She didn’t want to leave, but she had to get back to work. She promised to call him later and after a lot of goodbye kisses, she finally left. When she went in, Harper was sitting at the computer with Liz and her daughter, Aslynn.

“Hello, all!” Elli gushed as she hugged Liz, then Aslynn. Harper gave her a confused look, as Liz commented on how good Elli looked.

“My goodness, has your momma seen you lately? You’re glowing!”

“Oh, thank you, Liz.”

“You really are, Ms. Elli,” Aslynn added. Elli blushed as Harper giggled.

“She’s seeing someone, aren’t you El?” Elli’s smiled dropped, why would she say that? Especially in front of Liz Martin! Her momma’s every-other-day-best-friend!

“Harper!” Elli said with a glare. As soon as Harper realized what she did, she looked towards the computer.

“Oh really! How awesome! Who is he? Please say he is better than that dumb ass Justin you were dating!”

Oh, yes he is.

“You know Elli, Justin is dating my cousin Annalisa. She is so ugly! I don’t know why he left you.”

“I left him,” Elli said, but it didn’t matter because on went Liz and Aslynn about dumb ass Justin. Gossip is what makes Southern states run after all.

“How do the pictures look?” Elli tried to change the subject.

“Perfect!” Aslynn gushed. She was so pretty with her bright blonde hair, big br**sts, and big blue eyes. She was gorgeous and young, at only seventeen.

“Wonderful. If y’all would excuse me, I have some paperwork to tend to.”

When Harper came into the office after Liz and Aslynn had left she sat down in a plush teal chair that sat in front of Elli’s desk. She pulled her knees up under her chin, and looked over at Elli, biting down on her lip

“Are you mad at me?” she asked.

“I’m not mad. Just worried about what my mom will say when she finds out,” Elli answered with a shake of her head.

“Just don’t answer the phone.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I’m sorry.”

Elli looked up at her, a small smile on her lips. “It’s okay.”

Harper smiled big, letting her legs fall back to the ground. That’s how Elli knew she was really sorry. She always brought her legs up to her chest, like she was protecting her heart or something.

“So do you want to grab some dinner before the wedding?”

“Actually, I need to go shopping. I have a date tomorrow,” Elli said with a big grin.

“Wow, so how many times have you been out with him?”

“Tomorrow will be four.” Elli took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “He’s amazing.”

“And hot, but I hope you’re not falling for him, El. Guys like him are good for one thing and one thing only,” Elli looked at Harper with what felt like a sullen look because she knew what Harper was about to say, “and that’s to f**k, so watch it. He’s a cool dude, but don’t give him your heart, just have fun.”

“You feel like that about Jakob?”

“Jakob is different.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, but that is a totally different situation.”