Page 35 of Nothing to Tell

Only… what would Bastian think of her showing up unannounced?

She couldn’t decide.“I don’t know if—”

“What would Roxie do?”Roxie exclaimed, returning to them.“That’s what you have to ask yourself.And as Roxie…” She leaned in.“I say sex is almost guaranteed.”

“Think about it,” Carolyn said, urging the invitation closer.“I won’t mention it to him, and if he invites you himself, we can forget this conversation ever took place.He’s proud and never wants anyone to assume he needs saving.”

The notion was familiar.“I’ll think about it.”

FOURTEEN

AVOIDING DAMON BECAME the challenge of the week.Wasn’t always easy but was worth the effort.During business hours, she worked away from the office.Choosing to conduct meetings at clients’ offices and scouting possible locations for events, she swerved the Scott Solutions complex at every opportunity.

Her father had been called away on business mid-week.Having nothing better to do, her mother went with him.Normally fewer people in the house meant less noise, more space was a good thing.

Problem was, without her parents around, Harper was the single gooseberry watching two couples have a pleasant double-date night after night.Though she’d pick being a gooseberry with two couples over Adara and Carnell eating out or at Carnell’s apartment.By sticking around, the engaged couple did her a favor.Imagine being alone with Damon and Charissa.Yeah, gave her the shivers too.

Damon spent most of the week scowling and snapping at a meeker-than-usual Charissa.So much so, she felt sorry for the woman.That was saying something.

With the house being nothing but tension, the decision to go to the ball had been a breeze.

She needed to get out.

Away from this house.

The event would be as much of a reprieve for her as she hoped it would be for Bastian.Grabbing her clutch, she stuck her feet into the delicate grape-colored sling-backs that went with her strapless silk dress.With its slit from ankle to high on her thigh, this dress was one of her favorites.

Spritzing perfume on her neck and wrists before leaving the bedroom, she hurried down the stairs.The cab was likely outside already.

Her path to the front door was blocked.Damn, she’d hoped to make a clean getaway.

“That dress… for dinner?”Charissa asked from the bottom of the stairs where she stood with Damon.

“I’m going out,” Harper said, checking her purse for her keys, card, and invitation.

Damon side-stepped, getting between the women.“With him?”

His dislike of Bastian made zero sense.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Harper said.“But, yes, Bastian will be there.”

According to Carolyn anyway.

“He’s not picking you up?”Damon scoffed, glancing at Charissa as if seeking support for his judgment.

“Are you that desperate to see him again?”Harper asked, pleased to have the unexpected opportunity to mock her ex.“I can give you his number, but I don’t think you’re his type.”

A knock at the door interrupted.Damn, and she was enjoying that.Had the cab driver come to hurry her?Had she been that long?The guy must have the meter on, what did he care if she took all night?

Charissa was the one to go open the door.Her hand dropped from the handle as the door swung to a stop.She couldn’t see around it, just watched as Charissa’s jaw loosened.

“Good evening,” a male voice, who…?

It wasn’t Bastian, maybe the caller wasn’t for her at all.

“Char?”Damon said, going to grab the door and open it wider.

“Is Harper ready?”