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She glides over to me, her excitement contagious as she unlocks her phone. Within moments, she’s showing off photos of them together from last night. He’s handsome—dark hair, light-green eyes that glint with something more. I can see the allure, the spark that has her captivated. I swipe through their pictures, and genuine happiness radiates from her, but there’s something more sinister lurking in his expression.
“He seems familiar,” I say, tilting my head.
“I thought so too. But I think it’s because we’re invited to the same events.”
I try to tell myself I’m overreacting. I’m just overprotective of my bestie. That’s it.
“He’s forty-four,” she continues, her voice rising with enthusiasm. “Never been married. And it seems like we both want the same things in life. I think you’ll like him. He’s smart. Business savvy. One of the best entertainment lawyers in the country,” she adds with a dreamy sigh. “As soon as things settle down, can we do a double date?”
“With the prince?” I quip, arching an eyebrow.
“Withyourprince, nottheprince.” She grins wider, clearly envisioning a double date with Asher and me alongside her and Micah.
Asher and I are still very much a secret. Louis and I are playing the power-couple role, but it won’t last much longer at this rate. Now I’m toying with Josh, something I hate to do, but it is necessary to save my ass. I’ve instructed Josh that I will call him, not the other way around. He’ll listen to me for a little while, until his mask slips. I can handle him for three more weeks. I don’t know what Asher is up to, but I trust him. He’s given me no reason not to.
“I would like that. Once we return from London, consider it done,” I reply, nodding, but internally, I’m hoping this is just one of those quick flings she tends to have.
“So, Brody was with you last night …” I say, trying to decode her expression when I mention his name.
“We just happened to be at the same bar,” she explains, a hint of nervous laughter escaping her lips. “After Micah left, he walked with me to your place. I talked the entire time—God only knows what I said to him. I barely remember seeing you.”
I study her, searching for signs of doubt. “Do you feel safe with him?”
“Of course. Brody is?—”
“I wasn’t talking about my cousin,” I say sharply, my voice slicing through the air. “Micah. What did it feel like the first time you two spoke?”
It takes every bit of strength I have not to overanalyze her next words. Not that I’m an expert, but there’s a specific feeling when you meetthe one. Her expression softens, almost as if memories are flooding back.
“I didn’t pay him any attention at first,” she whispers, “but the conversation flowed. It almost felt like talking to an old friend because he knew so much about me.”
My stomach tightens at her words. A flutter of unease dances in my chest.
What if Micah isn’t the Prince Charming he appears to be? I envision a giant red flag, but I push it away.
“You’re popular,” I say, aware that millions of people I don’t personally know, know things about me. With who we are, it happens. “I don’t know if I have a good feeling about this,” I finally admit.
“Once you meet him, you’ll love him, trust me.” Her eyes tell me that she’s infatuated. “He agreed to join me in London.”
“Wow. I can’t wait,” I say, knowing we will barely have any time to ourselves between the fashion shows and meetings.
I glance around her office, searching for answers hidden among the extravagant arrangements. My instincts tell me that I need to dig into Micah’s past before he becomes a permanent fixture in Harper’s life.
I’m caught between wanting to protect Harper and needing to know more about this man who’s so quickly captivated her.
“Have a beautiful day. You deserve it.” I tap the box of doughnuts and open the lid. “I was thinking about you this morning.”
“Thank you! My favorite,” she replies, her entire face lighting up like the sky at a fireworks show.
“Anything for my BFF,” I say, my voice steady despite how I feel.
“I’m proud of you,” she offers as I leave her office. “Oh, I’ve also seen the mockup of your dress. You’re going to shine like a diamond.”
“Thanks, Harp.” I smile wide, and my heart squeezes as I leave her office.
The weight of uncertainty lingers in the air, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is off. The office buzzes around me, and I have five million other things I need to do, but all I can focus on is finding out who Micah Rhodes is.
“Billie. Wow. This is a surprise,”Carlee says as I step inside the penthouse at Park Towers.