LOGINShare
Showdown on the Porch
Last Updated:
2025-04-04 02:16:27
Related chapters
A Sketch Away From Perfect Milo
*Harper*My phone rings as I’m balancing a coffee mug in one hand and my sketchpad in the other. I almost ignore it, but the Chicago area code catches my eye. It’s the Whitney Gallery. I set everything down and grab my phone just before the call rolls to voicemail. “Hello?”“Hi, is this Harper Ward?”“This is she.”“This is Stephanie from the Whitney Gallery in Chicago. I’m calling with some incredible news.”I blink, my heart leaping into my throat. “Go on,” I squeak out, annoyed by how amateur I sound. “We sold your piece,” she says, her voice bubbling with excitement. “It went for considerably more than the asking price. You’ll be receiving a huge check from us.”“Oh, my God,” I breathe, my knees weakening until I have to lean against the counter. “That’s… wow. That’s amazing.”“It’s well deserved,” Stephanie says warmly. “We’d love to have more of your work if you’re interested.”“I’m definitely interested,” I manage, my mind spinning.We wrap up the call, and when I hang up, I j
Last Updated : 2025-04-04A Sketch Away From Perfect Embarrassing Realities
Harper“You should totally do it. My sister made loads of money. I think she paid off all her student loans!” McKenzy says, tapping the ‘Apply’ button on the screen insistently.I look at https://atalooseend.com like it’s a snake that’s going to bite me. How did it come to this?!“You’re a poor, starving artist who doesn’t sell enough pieces to cover the rent,” she answers my unspoken question, her tone flat. “You have student loans so far up your ass you can taste the red ink! Trust me, this is your best option.”“But… what if they want sex?” I question, wondering if I have it in me to become an escort. I’ve never done anything like that before, though I’m certainly not a virgin.McKenzy stabs her finger at the bold, red, 64-font words on the ‘About’ page. “‘Dates are NOT required to or encouraged to provide sex or engage in sexual acts’. It’s even in the legalese we read in the sample contract. Big and bold. In fact, if we go to the home page…” She reaches over my shoulder and maneu
Last Updated : 2024-11-04A Sketch Away From Perfect Farmer Scott
HarperI try not to pull a Marilyn Monroe as the wind whips the flared skirt of the sleeveless aquamarine dress I am wearing. McKenzy loaned me a pair of high-heeled, strappy sandals to match, and they aren’t helping the situation much as I teeter along the sidewalk, expecting to be swept away like Mary Poppins.As I turn the corner onto Raymond Avenue, I pause to adjust one of the straps on the right sandal. “I should have worn tennis shoes,” I grumble, even though I know that wouldn’t be appropriate. It’s my own fault for losing one of my own silver slippers. Not in a Cinderella way, but in a this-closet-is-an-unholy-vortex way. I’m sure, when I finally get around to cleaning it, the missing slipper will reappear. .“Yeah, when I’m being moved to a nursing home,” I mutter. I catch my reflection in one of the storefront windows and pat back a strand of my hair. At least that’s clipped up in a twist so the wind can only do so much damage.In the reflection, I also see a police car. I
Last Updated : 2024-11-04A Sketch Away From Perfect Hard but Worth It
HarperOkay. You can do this. I throw my shoulders back and walk on Scott’s arm, exuding confidence. At least, I think I’m exuding confidence. I’ve never been anybody’s fake date before.“You don’t have to smile like that. Your face will break in half,” he whispers to me, his arm shaking with repressed laughter.Okay, so, not so confident then. I’m a little embarrassed, but I think my smile’s genuine now. “I don’t want to screw this up for you,” I confess.“If you do, you can make it up to me by letting me buy you dinner sometime,” he murmurs back.My spirits perk up at that possibility. I mean, the chemistry between us is undeniable. “How about, if I screw up, I buy you dinner, and if I knock it out of the park, you can buy me dinner?”Scott engulfs my hand with his warm, rough palm. “Works for me.”When we enter the church, a gray-haired woman in a floral dress spots us and rushes over. “Scott! Thank heavens. I was almost afraid you’d miss the wedding!”“Mom, I’m still fifteen minut
Last Updated : 2024-11-04A Sketch Away From Perfect Until it’s Done
HarperOh, my God! I can’t believe I just said that! I stare into the mirror in the bathroom, shocked by my own boldness.Harper Ward would never have agreed to that proposition. And with such a dirty remark!But then, maybe ArtIsMyLife33 would?Somebody agreed to go home with Scott and suck his dick. Or I at least implied I was going to.The chicken in me thinks of backing out. Scott would be polite about it, I know. The part of me who hasn’t been with a man in the six months since I broke up with that controlling asshole Jack? That part wants to ride that big cock I saw in the truck, right into the sunset.I lock eyes with myself. “Who are you?” I murmur.The door slams open, and two drunk, giggling guests come into the restroom. “Oh, my God, did you see Scott? He is still so dreamy.”“Too bad he’s taken,” the other says.Neither of them notice me, and I decide to keep it that way by slipping into a bathroom stall.“Jessie says he is so good in bed. She says she’s never had anything
Last Updated : 2024-11-04A Sketch Away From Perfect Double Trouble
Harper“You slept with him?!” McKenzy’s jaw goes slack. It’s the next morning, and we’ve finally gotten a chance to talk. When I got home the night before, I took a shower and crashed. Hard.“Announce it to the whole apartment complex, why don’t you?” I hiss. “And yes. I slept with him. It was amazing.”“Amazing? It says on the website you don’t have to do the whole escort thing!” she says. “Did we forget the website?”I snort. “I didn’t do it because I thought I had to. I wanted to. We really hit it off.”“I’ll say. You slept with him on the first date. And it wasn’t even a proper date!” She all but wails.“Dramatic much? You’ve done it before,” I remind her.“Yeah, but you’re not me.” McKenzy paces around me, looking me up and down. She pinches my arm.“Hey!” I gripe.She nods. “Okay, so I’m not dreaming.”“You’re supposed to pinch yourself!” I pinch her back.“Ouch! Fine, fine, okay. We can be super sluts together then. But honestly, Harper, you need to stop copying me. I’m sure yo
Last Updated : 2024-11-17A Sketch Away From Perfect Mr. Billionaire
DamienWhat an unexpected pleasure. I watch Harper’s cheeks flush as our shoulders touch in the limo. Honestly, I should be sitting further away from her. There’s plenty of seating in the limo’s expansive back section after all. But since I first laid eyes on her, I’ve been utterly captivated.Today, I just wanted someone who checked all the right boxes for the dress. Tonight, I’m realizing I might have found someone who checks all the right boxes for me.“Have you been to an art gallery opening before?” I ask conversationally, my hand still boldly laid over hers. I’m not a man who lets what he wants get away.She swallows, and it draws my attention to the elegant lines of her neck. “No, Damien. I haven’t.”“I think you’ll find it rather entertaining,” I continue. “Especially given your art background. Or am I making too many assumptions about your username? Are you an art history major?”Harper pauses, then admits, “I’m an artist. Mostly a painter.”Intriguing. “Really? Then again, I
Last Updated : 2024-11-18A Sketch Away From Perfect A Better Start
HarperThe rest of the evening is a blur. Michael has to circulate, of course, but he comes back to Damien and me frequently to check in. He asks where I’m showing my work. I blush and say, “The Witch’s Brew coffee shop on Lake Street in Minneapolis.”Michael grins at me. “A perfect place to start.”“You’ll have to give some pieces to a proper gallery now, though. People will be wondering where to find your work,” Damien whispers in my ear.“Because you announced it in front of the press!” I reply.Damien gives me an innocent look. “Did I do that?”I squeeze his arm in gratitude, and he laughs.It’s late by the time we leave Michael, Julian and the rest of Damien’s acquaintances at the gallery. I can’t help but note that Damien didn’t call any of them his friends.“Do your friends not attend gallery openings?” I ask.Damien winces at me. “Caught that, did you? I don’t have a lot of friends, Harper. A man like me makes a lot of enemies. I do have one good friend, Laurence Killian, but
Last Updated : 2024-11-19
Latest chapter
A Sketch Away From Perfect Milo
*Harper*My phone rings as I’m balancing a coffee mug in one hand and my sketchpad in the other. I almost ignore it, but the Chicago area code catches my eye. It’s the Whitney Gallery. I set everything down and grab my phone just before the call rolls to voicemail. “Hello?”“Hi, is this Harper Ward?”“This is she.”“This is Stephanie from the Whitney Gallery in Chicago. I’m calling with some incredible news.”I blink, my heart leaping into my throat. “Go on,” I squeak out, annoyed by how amateur I sound. “We sold your piece,” she says, her voice bubbling with excitement. “It went for considerably more than the asking price. You’ll be receiving a huge check from us.”“Oh, my God,” I breathe, my knees weakening until I have to lean against the counter. “That’s… wow. That’s amazing.”“It’s well deserved,” Stephanie says warmly. “We’d love to have more of your work if you’re interested.”“I’m definitely interested,” I manage, my mind spinning.We wrap up the call, and when I hang up, I j
A Sketch Away From Perfect Showdown on the Porch
*Tomas*I don’t plan to take Harper to the salsa club tonight. It’s our place, our little pocket of rhythm and heat where we move together like our bodies were made to match. But it’s also somewhere Carmen knows I’ll be. And lately, I can’t shake the feeling that she isn’t done making trouble for us. So I call Harper and suggest something different.“A jazz club?” she repeats, sounding both surprised and intrigued.“Sí,” I say, smiling into the phone. “It’s not as spicy, but it has its own kind of heat. You’ll see.”She laughs, soft and sweet, and I already know tonight is going to be perfect.When I pull up to her apartment, she’s already waiting outside, wearing a silky black dress that clings to her curves like it was painted on. Her hair tumbles over her shoulders in soft waves, her lips painted a deep red that’s already staining my imagination.“Dios mío,” I murmur, stepping out to open the passenger door for her. “You are dangerous, mi preciosa.”She smiles, slow and knowing, an
A Sketch Away From Perfect A Good Girl
*Harper*A few days later, Rafe calls mid-morning, his voice soft and a little guilty, like he’s been sitting with something too heavy for too long.“Hey,” he says when I answer. “You got a minute?”I sink into the couch, tucking my legs under me and feeling oddly nervous.“Of course.”There’s a short pause, but long enough for me to know this isn’t just a casual check-in.“I’ve been thinking about the party,” he says. “About McNaught.”I close my eyes briefly. “Rafe—”“No, just let me say this.” His voice is firm, but there’s worry underneath. “I should’ve shut that down before it even started. I knew he was weird about me taking the starting spot, and I saw how he was looking at you when I introduced you. I just didn’t think–”“That he’d corner me?” I finish for him.“Yeah.” His sigh is heavy. “That’s on me.”“No,” I say, keeping my voice gentle. “That’s on him. You’re not responsible for what some jealous creep does after too many drinks.”He goes quiet for a second. “I still feel
A Sketch Away From Perfect Uncomfortable Passes
*Harper*Rafe is back in Minnesota to play the Vikings. It’s the first game I’ve gotten to see in person since we all went to San Francisco, and I’m so freaking excited! McKenzy is also buzzing with enthusiasm, bouncing from room to room while we get ready. “I’ve already picked out my outfit,” she announces from the bathroom, her voice echoing slightly. “It’s slutty, but I make it classy.”I laugh, standing in front of my closet, towel still wrapped around me. “I’m sure Rafe’s teammates will find you irresistible.”“They’d better,” she sings back. “It took a long time to find the perfect balance of the two!”By the time Damien’s sleek black car pulls up to our building, McKenzy and I are both looking fabulous. I went with a body-hugging red dress in the same shade as the 49ers uniforms because Rafe always says red is his favorite color on me. McKenzy, true to form, went for an off-the-shoulder mini-dress in glittering gold that makes her look like a human disco ball.Damien steps out
A Sketch Away From Perfect Grandma's 100th
*Harper*Scott is sprawled on my couch, scrolling through his phone, looking completely relaxed.At least, he is until he looks up. The second I step out of my room, his phone drops onto his lap, his lips parting slightly as his eyes trail over me.The white sundress with pink flowers had been an impulse pick–sweet, flirty, innocent enough for a family party, but still tight in all the right places. My hair is curled, cascading over my shoulders, and my perfume smells like fresh strawberries and summer dreams.I barely make it two steps into the living room before Scott lets out a low, audible gasp.“Oh, no,” I tease, placing a hand on my hip. “Did I break you?”He blinks once, then twice, before clearing his throat. “You’re… I mean–” He stumbles, trying to gather his thoughts.I bite back a smile. “You mean?”Scott shakes his head, standing up slowly. “I mean I’m going to need a minute to remember my own name.”Laughing, I step forward, running a finger lightly down the front of his
A Sketch Away From Perfect The Woman Scorned
*Harper*When Tomas calls a few days later and asks if I want to go salsa dancing at our usual spot, I smile so wide my face hurts.“Of course,” I say, already flipping through my closet for a dress that will make him sweat before we even hit the dance floor. “I’m dying for another night with you, Profe.”When Tomas knocks on my door, I’m already feeling dangerous.The dress I picked is deep green, tight in all the right places, with a slit high enough to make a statement. My heels click against the floor as I open the door, and the moment Tomas lays eyes on me, his whole body goes still.His gaze travels down my body, slow and deliberate, before snapping back to my face with a heated intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.“Helena,” he breathes, shaking his head as he steps inside. “You are . . . imposible.”I grin, letting my fingers trail along his chest before resting on his shoulder. “Impossible to resist?”“Completely.” He finds my waist, pulling me closer. “Let’s get to t
A Sketch Away From Perfect Nothing Too Extravagant
*Harper*The apartment in Mineesota is quiet except for the rhythmic strokes of my brush against the canvas. There’s a kind of peace in painting, something about the way colors blend together, the way shapes emerge from nothing, the way my hands move without me having to think. It’s one of the few things in my life that feels truly simple.Except today, my mind refuses to be quiet. I keep thinking about Scott and his stronger-than-expected feelings,and the fact that I can’t stop thinking about him.I dip my brush into the deep crimson paint, swirling it onto the canvas with long, sweeping strokes. I tell myself I’m just painting shadows, but I know the truth. I’m painting Scott’s lips, the color they turn when he kisses me, when he really kisses me.I press my lips together, remembering the way he looked at me at the carnival. The way he held my hand. The way he invited me to a family event without hesitation, like I already belonged.And that’s the thing, isn’t it? Scott seems to b
A Sketch Away From Perfect Reunited
*Rafe*Harper is here. In my city. In her own apartment. In my arms.I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet. The past few weeks have been a blur–a new team, new city, new life–but now, finally, it feels like I can breathe again. She’s actually here, curled up against my chest like she belongs there, like she’s always belonged there. And she always has. Her hair’s a little messy from where she fell asleep on me earlier after our first round of sex, strands sticking up in every direction, and I swear I’ve never seen anything more perfect. She’s got on one of my old sweatshirts, her bare legs tucked under her, scrolling through some takeout menu like it’s the most important decision of her life.“I’m getting you the spicy basil chicken,” she announces without even looking up.I raise a brow. “Not even gonna let me pick?”“Nope.” She grins, so bright and cheeky it should come with a warning label. “I know you too well.”She’s right. She does. And I love her for it.The food arrives faster t
A Sketch Away From Perfect Lap of Luxury
*Harper*Damien’s jet is my new favorite place in the world. I mean, I love my apartment, I love everywhere I go with my guys, and I even love my tiny little Prius back home. But this is luxury wrapped in silk, dipped in champagne, and handed to me on a silver platter.Scott is playing with the massage chair, testing every setting like a kid on Christmas morning. Tomas, ever composed, reading something on his tablet, pretending like he’s not secretly enjoying the five-star treatment. And Damien? Damien is lounging like a king, sipping whiskey in a glass that was probably hand-blown in some exclusive European workshop.“I could get used to this,” I say with a sigh, stretching my legs on the reclining seat.“You should get used to it,” Damien says, swirling his drink. “This is your life now.”I snort. “Oh, is it? Just like that?”“Just like that.” He smirks. “I refuse to let my favorite people travel like peasants.”Scott groans, adjusting his chair. “Damien, I don’t know how to tell y
