Page 12 of Nothing to Tell

“Thank you,” Harper said to him while glaring at her sister.Though she didn’t do much, or any, international business.“Someone finally gets it.”

“Like peas in a pod,” Adara said.

Much as she loved her sister, they couldn’t be more different.“We can’t all be happy in Mani-Pedi World.”

She and her sister teased each other about their life choices.Only teased.Adara played up to the pampered princess persona, but the truth was, she cared, she listened, Adara had a good heart.Though she didn’t always know what to do with it.

“Yes, I am entirely shallow,” Adara said without shame.“But, please note, this is my engagement party, proving that I, at least, get something out of my superficial life.I got my guy.You work, sweat, and break your back.Why?To get more work.It’s senseless.”

Her ex couldn’t resist the urge to get in on the action.“Harpy’s always been a workaholic.”

“I am not a workaholic.What is this?Attack Harper hour?Is this one of your planned party games?”

“You know we’re only teasing,” Adara said, wearing a smile that faded when she side-eyed Damon.“You’ll stop when you find the right man.”

“Will I?”Harper asked appreciating the veiled insult Adara sent Damon’s way.

Charissa pushed through Carnell and Adara to once again put her hand in Damon’s elbow, asserting her ownership.Yeah, she could have him.Good luck.Charissa had a right to be insecure about the relationship given the way it had started.What was it?Once a cheater, always a cheater.

“Your father wants to speak to you, Harper,” Charissa declared.

Damon bristled.Where was his attitude coming from?That answer would have to wait.Her father would too.She so wasn’t in the mood for family judgment… more family judgment.

“I bet he does,” Carnell murmured.

Meaning…?

“Where’s Mom?”she asked her sister.

Adara sighed.“With Carnell’s parents.”

“Trouble?”

“Only in so far as they’re already arguing about our marriage.”Adara swallowed down some of her pink drink.

“The wedding?”

“No, the marriage,” Adara corrected her.“They’re picking out locations for where we should live.Dad wants to build something for us.”

“That’s generous,” Damon said.

“It’s only to keep us close.We’ll end up in a backyard pool house.”

“Still generous.”

“Yeah.”Adara didn’t have much patience for Damon.Served him right.“Like you’d have been happy living on their doorstep if you married Ha—oh…”

Without Bastian at her side, that would’ve reignited the mortification.With him there, meh, who cared?Man, she really owed this guy.Maybe she could pay him to be her full-time ego float.

“It’s okay,” Harper said.“The cat’s out the bag.”

“You told Bastian?”her sister asked.

That she’d been cheated on and cast aside?Yes, she had.Though if she hadn’t that question would’ve dropped her right in it.

Bastian soothed her sister.“It came up in early conversation.”

Early was right.