None of them was dressed for a run through the city, least of all Lizzie, whose six-inch heels only allowed her to cover about four inches with every step. But it didn’t matter; they tore through the streets, an invisible tether pulling Harper closer to some exhilarating pinnacle she didn’t quite understand but couldn’t wait to reach.
They weaved through crowds and piles of trash, the energy of the city pulsing around them. Harper was lost in her thoughts on what she’d say to Dan when a shriek from Lizzie cut through her mind.
“Oh fuck!” Lizzie’s scream came from behind them, followed by the sound of flesh smacking the pavement. Thu and Harper stopped short, Indira and Alex almost crashing into them as they all turned to look at Lizzie lying facedown and spread-eagle across the pavement, one of her sharp stilettos broken off and lying next to her like a murder weapon.
“Lizzie?” Harper said, taking a few steps toward her friend. Lizzie lifted her head, her hair a wild, red mess around her. They all locked eyes for a moment before Lizzie broke out into giggles.
“Go on without me!” she cried melodramatically, waving them on.
Harper’s face broke out in a huge grin and she started running, Thu close on her heels.
“Oh my God, not you, Indira,” they heard Lizzie yell after them. “Help me up, you beautiful bitch.”
Harper, Thu, and Alex started to wheeze with laughter as they moved through the city.
They continued running for what felt like forever, sweat trailing down Harper’s back and heels rubbing her feet raw, but she didn’t care.
Turning onto a quieter street, Thu came to an abrupt halt, Harper zooming past her.
“What’s wrong?” Harper asked, circling back to where Thu and Alex stood.
Thu grinned at her, her eyes misty and filled with encouragement.
“It’s right there,” Thu said, pointing at a brick building two down from them, an awning for a deli at its base. Harper’s heart pounded against her chest in excitement. Home, it whispered with each beat. We’re finally going home.
Thu stepped to Harper’s side, Alex hanging back. Harper grabbed her, pulling her into a huge hug.
“Thank you, Thu-Thu,” she whispered. “For everything.”
“Oh my God,” Thu said, pulling back and furiously scrubbing at her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic.”
Harper laughed, running her hands down her dress. “How do I look?”
Thu looked her up and down before giving her a smile and a shrug. “Like a girl in love.” Harper smiled. “And also super sweaty, but I’m sure he won’t care.”
“Thu!”
“You asked!” Thu said with innocence. “Unit 3B,” she added, pointing her chin toward the building. “Go.”
Harper nodded and turned, sucking in one last deep breath before marching toward the building. Her body thrummed with energy, every cell feeling electric, as she stared at the row of intercom buttons. A few tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes as she lifted her finger to the button for 3B.
She felt afraid and exposed and vulnerable and overwhelmed, and she embraced it. She let herself feel every emotion that flooded her as she pushed the buzzer.
After a few seconds, a familiar, beautiful voice came through the intercom.
“Hello?” Dan said.
Harper licked her lips, her body trembling and a smile threatening to split her open as she pressed the button to talk.
“Hey,” she said, her voice cracking on a happy sob. “It’s me.”
CHAPTER 40
DAN
With shaking fingers, Dan buzzed her in. He absolutely did not trust his mind.
He paced the small length of his studio apartment, dragging his hands through his hair. No way. There was no way she was here.
But, sure enough, a minute later, a light tap reverberated against his door, shooting into his apartment and directly into his chest, knocking his heart against his ribs.
He crossed the room, his hands clenched in fists as he stared at the doorknob. It felt like he was moving underwater. He turned the knob, swinging the door open, almost afraid to look.
But there she was.
Harper.
Standing in his doorway.
She was out of breath and sweaty, her hair a riot of waves and her eye makeup slightly smeared at the edges.
She’d never been so beautiful.
His eyes scoured over her, trying to absorb every detail, unable to take all of her in at once.
He re-memorized the angle of her collarbones. The delicate curve of her ears. Every knob in her kneecaps. He devoured every inch of her because he didn’t believe this was real. But if it was a dream, he wouldn’t let it slip away.