Page 49 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

Claire frowns.“Excuse me?”

“The last time you two came over out of the blue to ‘help me’ out, my prom date had mono and was stuck at home after kissing Jessica Fletcher.”I hold up a hand.“Now, before you even thinking about denying that something’s wrong…Don’t.What aren’t you telling me?”

Claire hesitates.

“Claire Marie Winters-Hill,” I warn.

She cracks.“Derek got engaged.”

The room tilts.Just a little.But enough.

“To Erica,” Harper adds.“Instagram is doing its best to make it a national holiday.”

I swallow.Then nod.“Good for them.I hope their joint foot-content empire flourishes.”

They go still.

“I’m fine,” I say before they can pity me.“Busy, actually.Goat tango.Jazz mutiny.That kind of thing.”

“Sage,” Claire starts, but there’s a knock.

Mira’s voice floats in through the closed door.“Sage?Mr.Sterling is here.He fixed the jazz...but Mrs.Henderson is now slow dancing with Buttercup.”

My sisters exchange a look that I choose to ignore.

"Tell him I'll be right down."

Mira disappears, and Harper pounces."Mr.Sterling?As in Luke Sterling?As in the billionaire you hacked?"

"Allegedly hacked."

"As in the man you kissed last night?"Claire adds.

I freeze in the middle of applying lipstick."How did you?—"

"You have beard burn on your neck," Harper points out."And you just confirmed it."

"I hate you both."

"You love us," Claire corrects, then squeals."Oh my god, we have to meet him!Is he taking you somewhere?Is this a date?"

"It's a business non-date to a hospital gala."

"A what now?"Harper asks.

"We're attending the same event.For efficiency.And business discussions."

"In that dress?"

"It's a professional dress!"

"It's a 'bend me over your desk' dress," Harper says with a smug smile.“But at least you look good.You’ll want to wear these earrings, too.”She holds up the dangly ones that sparkle in candlelight.“Total neck elongation.He’ll drool.”

“I’m not trying to make him drool.”

“Tell that to your nipples.They’re practically saluting.”

“Harper Elizabeth!”