She’s interesting. But young. She has a lot to learn about life.

           “Tell me something, Noah,” Harper says in an argumentative tone. “Why are you so argumentative?”

           I chuckle, setting my glass down. “Me? If you only had a recorder on you right now. I tell you what. You can ask me any questions. Whatever question you want to ask, ask it. And then if I answer it and you’re satisfied, you have to buy me a drink.”

           She raises an eyebrow with a confused look forming over her face. “And if I am not satisfied? Because you’re already paying for my drinks all night anyway.”

           I nod. “Good point. Better yet, if you’re satisfied, I will ask you a question and you have to answer it, regardless of what the question is.”

           She shakes her head, still looking confused. “That doesn’t seem logical. Why would I answer whatever question you have for me if I’m satisfied…” She pauses and takes a drink. “Why do you think she left you?”

           I can feel my eyes giving her the ‘what the hell’ look. “I’m sorry. What part of she was getting railed by another man was unclear to you?”

           “I’m very aware.” She argues. “But that doesn’t mean that’s what you believe. The reason for the breakup versus the reason that’s in your mind could be two different things.”

           I lower my head, knowing she’s right, but unsure of how to talk about it. “I believe I wasn’t being the husband she wanted. I was working way too much. And yes, that brings income in, but I wasn’t balancing work and life, and it was becoming a barrier between us. And a possibility of a past situation could have somehow helped the situation.”

           “There you go!” She says excitedly. “Now, see. Was that so hard? And work-life balance is important. You need to see the other side of life. And that side of life cannot be seen if you’re too busy working.”

           “Maybe. But still. She never once talked to me about it. She was too quick to rush off and sleep with whatever the hell his name was. Honestly, I wasn’t surprised when she told me she was cheating. I was broken. I felt lost. I felt disgusted. But deep inside of me, I wasn’t as surprised as I could have been.”

           She tilts her head. “And why weren’t you so surprised?”

           “I don’t know,” I say, reaching for one of the bottles from behind the counter. “I tell you what, come on the roof with me. We can bring this bottle with us.”

           She scoffs with surprise. “You can’t just take that bottle, and why would I go on a roof with you? You could be a serial killer or something.”

           I chuckle. “I’m a millionaire. I can promise you I have too much to lose if I were a serial killer.”

           “Exactly!” She argues excitedly. “Millionaires would be the first to get away with that. Even more reason not to trust you.”

           I stand up, quickly swigging the cherry-flavored vodka. “I’m going to the roof. You can come or stay.”

           She sighs, and her eyes look up toward the ceiling. “If you’re going up to the roof at one in the morning and it’s your bar, there must be something up there that has interest. So now you have me curious.”

           I swing the small bar door open. “Are you coming or staying?”

           Three minutes later. I open the rooftop door, revealing two lawn chairs and a beautiful night sky.

           I smile as I hear her gasp. “Dude! You’ve been keeping this a secret! Holy hell! It’s gorgeous up here. The sky! I’ve never seen anything like it.”

           I fight to hold back my smile. “That’s because it’s one in the morning and almost every light in town is off. The streetlights are far and few around here. It’s the perfect time to look at the sky. And it’s on a rooftop. It’s perfect. I’ve always found it perfect.”

           She analyzes the small area consisting of the two lawn chairs, a small table between them, and a small radio sitting next to the lawn chairs.

           “How often do you come up here?”

           I follow behind her. “Only when I’ve got a lot going on. It’s easy for me to forget the world exists when I stare up at the universe. It sounds weird, but it’s the truth. I try to find ways out of my issues. And this is the easiest way out.”

           She slides into the lawn chair, quickly laying her head down and staring up into the beautiful night sky. “And I could ask what problems a million or a billionaire might have. But you’re still human, and I get it. Stress exists in everyone. Death still happens to the people we love. Even when you have all the money you could want, issues can still arise. People you find close to you could hurt you, steal from you, or lie to you. I understand.”

           I sit down, staring at this beautiful woman who confuses me yet makes me find some sort of interest in her. She has morals. She’s honest and understanding. She doesn’t judge. I hardly know her, but she’s exactly the type of person I’d want to be around. Not to mention, she is wildly attractive.

           “Why aren’t you drunk?” I ask, forcing the subject to change. “And why aren’t you hanging around a bunch of frat parties or something?”

           She chuckles while keeping her eyes on the sky. “I told you. I’m not in college anymore. And I did go to some parties. But they weren’t my thing. I’m more laid back. I like to drink from time to time, but it’s not a lot. I prefer sobriety so I can remember nights like this.”

           “Nights like this?” I ask curiously. “And what is tonight like?”

           She raises her hands, acting like she’s holding the world in her hands. “Are you kidding me, Noah? This is the perfect night right now. I’ve had just enough to drink to relax my entire body, which means I’m not drunk, but I am calm and overly smiley.”

           My lips curl into a smile. “Calm and overly smiley?”

           She quickly turns her head in my direction, giving me a ‘shut up’ look, and then returns her attention to the night sky. “Just go with it.”

           I nod. “Okay.”

           “Then you have this!” She announces excitedly. “There isn’t a cloud in the sky. The night is warm. It’s so damn late I should have been asleep hours ago…just not tonight. And I am somewhere I never would have thought would make me so comfortable, and it’s the last place in the world I’d expect to put a smile on my face.”

           As I look at her happy-looking face, I see a girl that years ago I would have married. I’m not saying that I am attracted to her, or that I like her. I am telling myself she’s the type of girl who’d never hurt a guy. If anything, a guy would hurt her. And I am the type of person who’d do anything to protect women like her. She is beautiful, honest, down to earth, and easily entertained. But she doesn’t know the truth about me, and that might scare her.

           She waves her hand toward me. “I can see you staring at me from the corner of my eye. Do I have something on my face?”

           “No.” I return my eyes to the Milky Way and the beautiful stars inviting us tonight. “I’m just surprised my horrible day has turned into this interesting night.”

           “Don’t get any ideas.” She’s quick to say.

           “No, no, no.” I’m quick to interrupt her. “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just…”

           “I’m kidding.” She interrupts me with a quick laugh. “I get what you meant. And I am truly sorry for what your wife put you through. No one deserves that. I firmly believe in never cheating on the person you care for. I can understand people falling out of love and falling in love with a different person. But at least break up with the person first.”

           “Don’t apologize,” I say softly. “It’s nothing you did. I’m just grateful this long relationship didn’t go any further. And I wasn’t exactly innocent in the relationship either. But enough about that. I’m grateful my pain and sadness were taken away by enjoying this night with someone I don’t even know. But I’m glad it was you.”

           “Me too, Noah.” She smiles and looks back over at my calm face. “Even though your night was shit, I’m glad I got to meet you.”

           “What made you talk to me in the first place?” I question.

           She plays with her fingernails. “You mean tonight? I don’t know. My friend said she knew you. I saw a man hurt. And I’m not always open to talking to anyone, but I wanted to let a human know they aren’t alone, and I wanted to be helpful.”

“Well, you did a good job,” I admit, exhaling a breath of pain, knowing it’s over between me and Ivy.

That pain that Ivy has caused me is slowly returning, and I think I know why. Somehow, my mind knows this interaction with Harper is almost done with. It’s late, and it’s evident she’s tired. I know this distraction is about to be over, and a part of me doesn’t want it to be over. And it’s not because I like her, or anything related to that. It’s because she’s been the only thing or person tonight to keep my mind off what I thought was my one true love. And I can’t keep Harper forever. She’s not mine.