Page 13 of Nothing to Tell

Adara’s blush faded as she addressed Bastian.“He’s a bastard but she’s my best friend.Talk about a rock and a hard place.I’m surprised you haven’t hit him in the face… Harper did.”

“Too many witnesses,” Bastian said, jovial.

At least, she thought so until Damon straightened up.

Wow, whatever expression Bastian wore, it could turn a guy to stone.

“Your father wants to speak to you, Harper,” Charissa said again, a parrot stuck on repeat.

“Dad wants to speak to me about you two moving in.”

Her relationship with her father was tenuous at best.It had never exactly been robust, but since she’d refused his offer of a job at his firm in favor of going out on her own, yeah, most of the time she was dead to him.As highlighted by his affront that she’d rejected Damon and his cheating, choosing self-respect over her father’s legacy.Oh, she was such a disappointment.

“Or about your new boyfriend,” Adara said.“Is he your boyfriend?”

Everyone’s curiosity about the stranger was justified; she hadn’t mentioned being involved.In her defense, she wasn’t involved until less than an hour ago.

Instead of perpetuating the lie, she joked.“He’s a gigolo.”Harper stroked the hand he had around her.“I just hired him for the night.”

She still held a drink, Bastian apparently didn’t have one because both of his hands were on her.

Adara’s lips curled in a tease.“Leave me his card.”

“Excuse me?”Carnell asked, quickly placated by the kiss Adara pressed to his cheek before wiping away the gloss she’d left.

“You’ve kept quiet about this, sister,” Adara said, giving Bastian another look over.“He’s expensive.”

“Only the best quality.”

“She was kidding about the gigolo thing,” Damon said.

Trust Damon to explain something everyone understood.

“Doesn’t make him any less expensive,” Adara said.“Men like him want to take a woman to the opera and the ballet.”Damon and Carnell snickered.“Not exactly Harper’s style.”

“We’re only using each other for sex,” Harper said, quietening the snickers in an instant.

Adara grinned.“Then have at it,” she said.“You deserve a break.You haven’t had the best of luck with men.”

“Passive-aggressive doesn’t suit you, Adara,” Damon said.

Pinning him under an icy glare, Adara snarled, “Would you like me to hit you?I have no problem being direct.”

“Everyone knows that,” Damon said, kindling his confidence.“That’s how you worked through every man in ScoSo management before settling on this sap.”

Adara was bold but delicate and didn’t deserve that.

“Take that back, you asshole!”Harper jerked out of Bastian’s grasp.“Apologize!”

“Everyone calm down,” Carnell said.

Typically, Damon was unapologetic.“Just stating facts.”

Shit, she wanted to hit him again so bad.“What is your problem?”

“I have no problem.”Damon shrugged.“It’s true.Who’s going to deny it?”

“Your father wants to speak with you, Harper,” Charissa said, apparently having nothing else to contribute.