She breaks the silence, “How’s work?”

“Completely crazy. That’s why I’m so tired. We had this insane last minute rush job so I’ve been up for the last 2 days. So I’ve been up working on that and trying to get all my other work done on top of that.”

“Two days? That’s crazy. It’s one thing if you’ve been up that long partying but…” Shane let’s her sentence die.

“My drug days are well behind me.” Harper says very matter of fact. “Caffeine gets me through times like these now.”

Shane smiles and feels revealed that Harper has some sort of drug past. She wants to know more about it, but knows this is not the time. “That’s one drug I’ve never been able to kick.”

“It’s the legal ones that are hardest.” Harper laughs. “*****, I need to sleep.” Her exhaustion is hitting her like a ton of bricks.

“Why don’t you let me drive you home.” Shane says.

“Oh that’s ok, I’ll find Christine and get her. She drove and I have to go get my car. It’s still at the office.”

“You know what, let your friend mack with the chick. And I’ll take you home, you shouldn’t be driving.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“I want to.” Shane stands up, “Come on.”

Harper looks up at her and smiles. “Alright, but I have to let Christine know I’m leaving.”

***

Shane opens the door to her truck for Harper. “Aw your favorite place.” Harper says remembering the conversation she and Shane had in the park.

“Yes, it is.” Shane smiles happy that she remembered.

“I can see why.” Harper smiles at Shane as she closes the door for her.

Shane gets behind the wheel, “Ok, which way?” She says starting up the truck.

Shane manages to keep Harper talking about work to keep her awake enough to give directions.

“It’s right up here. Second place on the right.” Harper points to her unlit home. “*****!”

“What?” Shane asks.

“I just remembered your clothes are at my office. *****!”

“It’s no big deal, I’ll get’em next time.” Shane says putting the truck in Park.

“Next time.” Harper likes the way that sounds.

“Go get some sleep.” Shane says knowing Harper has no energy left to stay awake.

“I think I will.” Harper says smiling at Shane as she feels her body powering down.

“Maybe we could go to dinner when things aren’t so crazy for you.” Shane feels like a nervous teenager. She hasn’t felt like this around a girl since Junior High.

“That would be great.” Harper takes the pen from Shane’s visor and searches her pockets for paper. “Do you have something to write on?”

Shane looks around, “No, I don’t think so.”

“Here, give me your arm.” Harper says. She pulls Shane’s sleeve up. “You mind?” She asks before applying the pen to her skin.

“No.” Shane’s voice is barely above a whisper.

Harper smiles and begins to write her number on Shane’s forearm. “Call me,” she says as she finishes writing. “We’ll go have dinner or something.” She puts Shane’s sleeve back in place.

“I will.” Is all Shane can say.

“Thank you for the ride Shane. I really appreciate it.”

“My pleasure.”

Harper wants to lean in and hug Shane but she resists because it’s so much more then a hug that she really wants. Instead she leans against the door and opens it. “Goodnight.”

“‘Night.” Shane waves and watches Harper close the door and walk up to her house.

Shane waits until Harper is safely inside until she pulls away. As she sits at a red light she pushes back her sleeve and inspects Harper’s number. She wants so much to call her right now and ask if she can come over and crawl into bed with her.

That night both girls have dream filled sleep about each other.