A single glass of wine tipped over, red spilling across the white tablecloth.
"Harper, for God's sake," Liam muttered, quickly snatching a napkin. "Can you please be more careful?"
She froze, caught in the act. The restaurant was quiet, filled with soft whispers and the warm glow of candlelight. Couples around them chuckled quietly, forks clinking against plates, but their table felt like a block of ice.
"It was an accident," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
"You always say that." He didn't even look at her, just waved the waiter over, clearly annoyed.
Harper pressed her hands together under the table to stop the trembling. Five years of marriage, and somehow, everything she said or did was wrong.
Liam leaned back, phone already in his hand. "Mark wants me to review the contract before morning. I will drop you off at home and then head to the office."
She swallowed hard. "It's our anniversary." He paused for a second, his jaw softening, but then he sighed. "We will celebrate this weekend. You know how important this deal is."
When the bill came, he signed it quickly, still half-typing and half-listening. Harper didn't bother reminding him that she had spent the entire afternoon preparing his favorite dinner at home. The food was probably cold by now.
Outside, the night air bit through her coat. The city lights glowed gold against the drizzle. Liam's car was parked by the curb, sleek and spotless, just like his life.
"I will call you when I'm done," he said, unlocking the door.
She forced a smile, nodded and watched him drive away. Instead of going home, she walked through wet streets, under flickering lights, feeling aimless and numb. Her heels clicked over puddles, rain clinging to her hair. The cold was a relief, reminding her she was still alive.
By the time she reached the corner near their old favorite bar, her mascara had blurred, and her heart felt heavier. She pulled out her phone, thought of calling Sophie, then stopped when a familiar voice cut through the night.
"Harper?" She turned to see Jaxon Reed standing under the awning of the bar, hands in his pockets, rain dripping from his hair. He looked older than she remembered, but those same gray eyes still caught her off guard.
"Hey," she managed to say. "I didn't expect to see you around here."
"Yeah, I didn't either expect to see you wandering out here." His voice softened a bit. "It's freezing. What are you doing?"
She shrugged. "Just celebrating my anniversary."
His expression faltered. "By yourself?"
"Apparently, that's a thing now." She let out a brittle, short laugh. He stared at her for a long moment, then pushed the bar door open. "Come on in. You shouldn't be out here."
Inside, it was warm, dim, and humming with quiet music. Jaxon ordered whiskey while Harper asked for water. She sat across from him in the booth, her hands wrapped around the glass.
"So," he said, watching her carefully. "Things still rough with Liam?" Then he added , "You look like someone who hasn't slept in ages."
She tried to smile but failed, then said quietly, "He has been working late alot lately. I think he prefers his office to being home."
Jaxon leaned back, his jaw tightening. "He's an idiot."
"Don't," she said softly. "You're his best friend."
"I'm also not blind." he muttered. Their eyes met, and what was supposed to be a moment of sympathy felt heavy instead. She broke the silence first. "You are still at Hayes & Reed?"
"Yeah. I'm expanding the company while Liam's obsessed with this new deal. He's barely even human these days."
"Sounds familiar." she replied, taking a sip of her water. He exhaled and ran a hand through his damp hair. "You shouldn't have to deal with that alone."
She looked away, blinking rapidly. Her reflection in the glass window looked fragile. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. "Sometimes I wonder if he even loves me anymore."
Before he could think, Jaxon's reached across the table, gently covering her hand with his. "He doesn't deserve you if he makes you question that."
Her breath caught. The warmth of his hand spread through her cold fingers, comforting all at once. "Jaxon," she murmured, pulling back slightly. "Don't..."
"I'm sorry." He leaned back, a hint of regret in his eyes. "I shouldn't have..."
"No," she replied quickly. "You didn't do anything wrong."
When they stepped outside, the rain had gotten heavier. Jaxon offered to drive her home, but she shook her head. "I need to walk to clear my head."
"At least take my jacket," he insisted, slipping it off before she could refuse. The leather was warm, smelling faintly of whiskey and rain.
"Thanks," she whispered, pulling it tight around her.
He hesitated for a second, before stepping closer. "Are you sure you will be okay?"
"I will be fine." But her voice trembled, and he noticed. "Harper…" he started, his tone calm.
She looked up, and whatever words he meant to say died on his lips. The world around them blurred into a mix of rain and streetlight. Her heart raced when his hand brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. Neither of them moved or breathed.
"Go home," he finally whispered, his voice strained.
"Before I do something I can't take back."
Harper nodded slowly, stepping back, clutching his jacket like an armor.