CHAPTER 59
Harper woke to the smell of coffee and something burning.
She padded into the kitchen to find Sebastian frantically waving a dish towel at smoke billowing from the oven.
"What are you doing?" Harper asked, trying not to laugh.
"Attempting heart-shaped pancakes. They became heart-shaped charcoal." Sebastian opened the windows to let out the smoke. "Happy Valentine's Day."
Harper felt warmth spread through her chest. They'd been doing better since therapy started three weeks ago. Learning to recognize each other's triggers. Communicating instead of assuming. Building something real from the wreckage of trauma.
But Valentine's Day felt dangerous. Too much pressure. Too many expectations.
"You don't have to do the whole romantic gesture thing," Harper said. "I know holidays a
