Five Years of Secret Love, He Married My Best Friend Chapter 03

Five Years of Secret Love, He Married My Best Friend Chapter 03

Yesterday. Before I packed up in Chicago. Before I hit the highway.

I asked him three times.

Should we use this trip home to finally tell my parents we’re living together?

He looked at me with those deep eyes. Smirked lazy.

“You’re that desperate to lock me down, huh? Didn’t know you were so traditional.”

I fake-pouted. Smacked his shoulder.

He caught my wrist. Pulled me into his arms.

Planted a soothing kiss on my forehead. Laughed soft.

“Alright, stop. Once my company survives this funding round, once I’ve got real results, I’ll show up at Brenda’s door. Do it right.”

Five years of hiding.

Every day I waited for him to post our photo on Instagram. Make us official.

I was desperate for our friends to know.

That I, Harper, was Connor’s real girlfriend.

I didn’t fight him on it constantly, and not because I didn’t care. Because I didn’t want to look like some insecure lunatic.

And I didn’t want my family. In this town where everyone knows everyone. To become the punchline.

“Connor, Brenda’s got acid reflux. I need to grab her some meds at CVS. Not sure which brand she uses. Can you drive me?”

Maddie walked out of the house with my mom.

Her smile was sweet.

The way she said Brenda. So natural. So familiar. Like she was the real daughter here.

Connor pressed his lips together. Swallowed whatever he was about to say. Turned. Got in the Ford with her. Drove off.

I watched the taillights disappear into the dark.

My mom sighed.

“Back in high school, I thought you and Connor would end up together. Never thought Maddie was the one he really loved. Thank God I never tried to set you two up. Can you imagine? Running into each other every day. Awkward as hell.”

My jaw locked. I said nothing.

She kept going.

“When you look for a guy in the city, take notes from Maddie. Connor’s slammed with his startup in Chicago. But whenever Maddie’s family needs something, he drops everything. Drives back with her.”

“And look at you. I don’t even know what kind of jerk you were dating before. Every Thanksgiving. Every Christmas. You’d ask him to come home for turkey. He always had an excuse.”

Her complaints kept rolling.

But my brain had gone static.

The crickets outside went mute.

I heard nothing.

Every Thanksgiving. Every Christmas. I’d ask Connor. Four-hour drive. Would he come home with me?

He always brushed me off. “Harper, my team’s at a critical point. I can’t leave. Once this stretch is over, I’ll go back with you. I promise.”

He said he was meeting investors in Silicon Valley. Business trips.

I believed him. Never once doubted his ambition.

Reality slapped me across the face.

Every time he told me no.

He was here. In this town. Playing the perfect boyfriend. For another woman.

“Mom. Have they been coming back a lot these past few months?”

A thick, sour ache filled my chest. I could barely breathe.

My voice scraped out dry.

“Yeah. Last month. Your birthday weekend. Maddie’s mom fell while weeding the backyard. Broke her leg. Connor drove back that same night. Handled everything. Lined up the best orthopedic surgeon. Stayed at Maddie’s for days. Helped take care of her.”

A memory hit me. Sharp.

My birthday last month.

Connor had booked the most expensive French restaurant downtown. But mid-meal, he took a call. His face shifted. Dark.

He shoved a Tiffany-blue box into my hand. Rushed.

Full of apologies. “Server’s got a critical bug. I have to go to the data center. Might be all night. Don’t be mad. When I fix this, I’m taking you to Napa. We’ll redo your birthday.”

Before he turned to leave, I couldn’t stop myself.

I asked him.

What matters more. Your code. Or me.

He looked at me. Long and deep. Frowned.

“Harper, we’re adults. Don’t ask questions that sound like high school drama.”

I was naive.

I thought his life had two things competing. Me. His startup.

It never crossed my mind.

In his list of priorities, besides his company and me, there was always Maddie.

Always ahead of me.