Their salads arrived, and Harper breathed in the fresh scent of mixed greens and herbs, grateful to have real food after her ruined lunch.
"We were fortunate to find you," Kelly continued, drizzling vinaigrette over her salad. "Your experience in California was exactly what we needed."
Harper shifted in her seat, warmth creeping into her cheeks at Kelly's praise. She speared a cherry tomato with her fork, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
"I'm just grateful everything worked out so perfectly," Harper said, keeping her voice soft. "Finding a position in my field, especially one where I can really utilize my experience - it's more than I hoped for." She paused, glancing around the charming cafe. "And the bank seems so connected to the local community. That's different from the corporate environment I came from."
"The local connections make such a difference in personal finance," Harper continued, relaxing as she moved into more comfortable territory. "Understanding the community helps provide better service to clients." She took a bite of her salad, savoring the fresh ingredients and light dressing.
Kelly nodded enthusiastically. "That's exactly what Father always emphasized - banking should be personal, especially when handling people's financial futures. And having someone of your caliber step in has made Benjamin's transition to retirement much smoother than we anticipated."
"I've already started making notes on ways to help some of the clients optimize their investments," Harper continued, her excitement about the work overtaking any lingering unease. "There are some interesting opportunities I spotted in the retirement accounts that I think could really benefit them."
See?Reyna whispered in her mind.This is where we belong.
Harper had to agree. Despite the morning's unpleasantness, she felt more at home here than she ever had at her previous bank. The family-owned atmosphere, combined with the knowledge that she could be her true self, made all the difference.
"I can't wait to start meeting with clients," she added. "Benjamin gave me some great insights into their preferences and personalities that will help me serve them better."
Harper finished the last bite of her salad, feeling pleasantly full and much more relaxed after lunch with Kelly. The conversation had flowed naturally between work topics and getting to know each other. Kelly's warmth and genuine interest made Harper feel welcome in a way that helped ease the sting of her earlier encounter with the hostile trio.
"Thank you so much for lunch," Harper said as they gathered their things. "It was wonderful to learn more about the bank's history."
"My pleasure entirely." Kelly's smile lit up her face. "We should do this again soon. Perhaps next time you can tell me more about California."
They strolled back to the bank, the summer breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers from nearby planters. Harper's steps felt lighter, her confidence restored after the pleasant meal and conversation.
Back at her desk, Harper dove into her afternoon tasks with renewed focus. The familiar work absorbed her completely, and before she knew it, the afternoon had flown by.
We did well today,Reyna commented as Harper saved her final document and began organizing her desk for tomorrow.Despite those mean humans.
Harper had to agree. One ruined lunch couldn't overshadow the satisfaction of productive work and pursuing a new friendship. A smile tugged at her lips, though, as she wonderedsuddenly if Jake knew he was the prize in a mean girl tug of war. She looked forward to seeing his face when he knew.
She switched off her computer, gathered her belongings, and headed out, ready to return to the comfort of the West Side Inn.
Chapter 9
Harper smoothedher dress one final time, checking her reflection in the mirror. She'd changed after work into a simple emerald wrap dress that brought out the amber in her eyes. Her fox-red hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders - she'd freed it from its professional twist as soon as she'd gotten back to the inn.
A gentle knock at her door made her heart skip. She opened it to find Nathan standing there, looking handsome in dark slacks and a blue button-down that made his brown eyes seem warmer.
"Ready?" His smile sent butterflies dancing in her stomach.
"Just need my purse." She grabbed the small clutch from her bed, trying to calm her racing pulse as she followed him downstairs and out to his car.
The drive to the steakhouse was comfortable, filled with easy conversation about music and Nathan's students. Harper found herself relaxing into the leather seat of his car, enjoying the way his voice shifted with enthusiasm when describing a particularly talented young violinist he was teaching.
The restaurant was cozy but elegant, with white tablecloths and soft lighting from wall sconces. After they were seated and had ordered, Nathan leaned forward slightly.
"So how was your first day?" His genuine interest warmed her.
Harper took a sip of water, gathering her thoughts. "Mostly really good, actually. The bank itself is beautiful - all this amazing historical architecture. And my office has these lovely plants and so much natural light."
She told him about her morning reviewing files, her helpful conversation with Benjamin, and lunch with Kelly. "The portfolio management system is more streamlined than what I used before, and everyone's been so welcoming." She paused, then added quietly, "Well, almost everyone."
Nathan's brow furrowed slightly. "Almost?"
Harper sighed, absently tracing patterns on her water glass with her finger. "There are these three women who work there... they're not exactly thrilled about my presence. Apparently one of them wanted my position." She shrugged, trying to dismiss it. "They also seem to think I'm competition for Jake's attention, if you can believe it."
