Harriet leaned against the trunk of her car, patiently waiting outside Zoey's house. Her eyes traced over the two-story structureâsimple yet elegant, nestled in a quiet gated subdivision with a modest garage. A soft smile crept across her face when she saw Zoey jogging toward the gate.
"Did you wait long?" Zoey asked, turning her back to lock the gate behind her.
Before she could finish, she felt warm arms wrap around her from behind, catching her off guard.
"Good morning," Harriet whispered, placing a gentle kiss on Zoey's cheek.
Zoey blinked in surprise as Harriet released her. "G-good morning," she stammered, her cheeks flushing. She hadn't expected that.
"Shall we go?" Harriet asked with a smile. Zoey nodded, still flustered. Harriet opened the passenger door for her, waiting until she was settled inside before walking around to the driver's side. Sliding in, she started the engine and asked, "Did you have breakfast?"
Zoey glanced at her after buckling her seatbelt. "No, I usually skip breakfastâbad habit," she admitted with a shrug.
Harriet raised an eyebrow. "But you ate breakfast at my place."
Zoey chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "That's because you actually cooked. I figured I'd give it a try and judge your culinary skills."
Harriet laughed as she pulled onto the road. "Fair enough. So, how'd I do?"
"It was good," Zoey replied, smiling.
Harriet grinned. "Should I be flattered now?"
"You should be. I'm hard to please," Zoey teased, glancing at Harriet with a soft laugh.
Harriet chuckled, her eyes warm. "I like your dimples," she said, catching Zoey off guard.
"Waitâwhat? You noticed my dimples?" Zoey asked in disbelief, turning fully toward Harriet.
"Why are you so surprised? It's not like they're hard to miss," Harriet replied with a casual shrug, laughing at Zoey's reaction.
"It is hard to notice unless you're staring at me long enough," Zoey mumbled, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Ah, I see what's going on. You've been checking me out for a while now, haven't you?" she added with a playful nod.
Harriet burst out laughing. "Well, someone's full of herself today, Ms. Foster." She paused, then grinned. "But, you're not wrong. I've been staring at you, checking you out for quite some time now," Harriet admitted, shrugging with a smile. "Sorry, couldn't help it."
Harriet parked right in front of the building entrance. Zoey hesitated, glancing around nervously. It wasn't exactly impossible for someone from the office to recognize them.
Harriet stepped out of the car, walked around to Zoey's side, and opened the door for her. Zoey gulped, scanning the area. "What are you looking for?" Harriet asked, her eyes following Zoey's curious gaze.
Zoey chuckled nervously. "People here know who we are. I'm just wondering what they'll say if they find out we're dating," she said, her laugh coming out a bit awkward.
Harriet tilted her head, unconcerned. "And so? What's it to them if I want to date you? Don't mind them. It's you I'm after, not their opinions," she said, giving Zoey's head a playful pat.
Zoey turned to her with a smirk. "Sometimes I wonder if you've got a twin, Harriet. Because I seriously don't know how to react when you're like this," she teased, chuckling.
Harriet laughed and leaned in. "No twin. I don't need any competition when it comes to you. There's only one Harriet Pierce," she said, lightly tapping Zoey's nose. "Now, go on. I'll see you later."
Zoey laughed, patting Harriet's head playfully. "Alright, be a good girl while I'm gone, okay?"
Harriet scoffed and clicked her tongue. "Be a good girl, my ass. Please, I'm older than you."
Zoey giggled. "You're only two years older. What's the big difference?"
With a mischievous grin, Harriet leaned closer, pulling Zoey into her space. Zoey, now a bit flustered, nervously glanced around as some employees looked their way. "Well, I wonder if you'd like to be my good girl after all?" Harriet teased.
Zoey's face flushed red as she stammered, "S-stop it."
Harriet laughed softly and gently released her. "I'll see you around, alright?"
Zoey gulped, her breath hitching. "That's a bit much for PDA, Harriet," she muttered, her face flushing a deep red.
Harriet chuckled, unfazed. "Well, at least they can see how much you mean to me," she said, slipping her hand into her pocket casually.
Zoey sighed dramatically. "I suddenly don't feel like going to work."
Harriet blinked, confused. "What?"
Zoey laughed, waving her off. "Gotcha! Anyway, I should go. Riley's probably already at the office, back to her usual self now that she's with Sienna again," she teased, starting to walk away. Before she could get far, Harriet pulled her back.
"Harriet?" Zoey mumbled, just before Harriet leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her lips. It was just a light peck, but Zoey's heart pounded in her chest.
"I'll miss you," Harriet said with a grin. "Now go, before I change my mind and take you to my place instead."
Zoey cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. As she walked away, she turned one last time, waving. "Bye! See you later!" She blew a playful kiss in Harriet's direction.
Harriet grinned, acting as if she caught the kiss and pressed it to her lips before waving back.
"Well, someone's a lovesick bird this early in the morning," a voice suddenly chimed in, startling Harriet.
"What the hell?" Harriet hissed, turning to see Riley standing beside her with a smirk.
Riley nudged her sister playfully. "You're so in love, Harriet, you forgot where you were standing," she teased, reenacting Harriet's affectionate gestures, causing Harriet to burst into laughter.
"What the heck, Riley!" Harriet gasped, clutching her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably.
Riley laughed along but quickly sobered up, looking at Harriet with a soft smile. "I'm happy to see you like this. It's been a while since you've been this happy. Finally, after years of being dry!"
Harriet scoffed, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me, Riley Pierce? Who gave you the right to speak to your elder sister like that?" she joked, playfully smacking Riley on the head.
Harriet cleared her throat, turning to Riley with a more serious expression. "You know, Riley... I just feel like my heart is full. I mean, I'm happyâreally happy."
Riley chuckled softly. "Well, that's what happens when you take the risk to open up and love someone again. I'm proud of you, Harriet!" She pointed a finger playfully at her sister. "And don't you dare make Zoey cry, or I'll kick your ass. Seriously. She helped me through a lot back then, so I owe her that much. Consider it a sisterly warning."
With a smirk, Riley waved and made her way toward the building.
Harriet watched her go, murmuring under her breath, "I wouldn't do anything to hurt Zoey..." She smiled to herself, her voice softening. "After all, it's thanks to her that I feel alive again."