Becca giggled. "That's probably part of the problem. You're the strong, silent, mysterious type." She pitched her voice higher in a mocking tone. "'Oh, he's just shy! He's playing hard to get!'"
Harper burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you sound exactly like Vanessa!"
Harper's laughter died as Jake's expression remained serious.
"Your car would be a target, you know that, right?"
"He's right," Becca said, pushing her plate aside. "They're sneaky and underhanded. What would you be willing to bet theywouldn't do something to your new car? Especially if it's brand new?" Her stormy eyes darkened.
Jake nods. "Sugar or water in the gas tank, scratched paint, slashed tires - those are classics for a reason."
Harper set her fork down, appetite gone. "But I can't keep relying on rides from you forever. That's not fair to you."
The reality of her situation settled over her like a heavy blanket. She'd escaped one threat in California only to face a different kind of danger here. These women seemed determined to make her life miserable. And Jake was right. The simple act of keying a car took no time at all, and could be done quickly and surreptitiously.
Harper pushed her plate away, her appetite completely gone. The thought of having her new car vandalized made her stomach churn.
"Actually," Jake said, leaning forward, "the bank is planning to upgrade security soon. Lydia's going public about being a shifter soon, so they're adding more cameras and guards outside."
Hope flickered in Harper's chest. "Really?"
Jake nodded, his blue eyes serious. "They're installing new cameras next week - high-definition ones that'll cover the entire parking lot. And they're doubling the security staff. Plus, I can have a quiet word with security about keeping an extra eye on employee vehicles. I don't have to give details - I can just mention the potential for vandalism."
"That would help," Harper admitted, her shoulders relaxing slightly. The thought of watchful eyes on her car eased some of her anxiety.
Becca reached across the table to squeeze Harper's hand. "See? You shouldn't have to put your life on hold because of those women."
Harper nodded, relief washing through her. The increased security measures wouldn't stop the petty office pranks, but at least she wouldn't have to worry about her future car being damaged. And knowing the security team would be watching gave her an extra layer of protection.
"And here's the thing," Jake continued, a slight smirk playing at his corners of his mouth. "If they're dumb enough to try anything and we catch them on camera? You won't even have to deal with insurance. They'll be legally responsible for all damages."
Becca's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Absolutely. The bank takes vandalism seriously - especially if it's done by employees. Harper could sue them for their socks off, and they'd definitely lose their jobs." He shrugged. "Might teach them to think twice about acting like petty teenagers."
The thought of the mean girls facing real consequences for their actions sent a surge of satisfaction through Harper. She didn't want revenge, exactly, but she was tired of being their target.
"I just want them to leave me alone," Harper sighed. "I didn't ask for any of this drama, and I hate it, so, so much. I just… I just want them to stop. I keep hoping they will get tired of it, and forget about me.""
"I know." Jake's expression softened. "But at least this way, you'll have some protection. And evidence if they try anything stupid."
Becca gave her a sympathetic look, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "I know what it is to be a target. You can always come talk to me, Harper, any time. I'll be here for you."
"We both will," Jake promised, and Harper smiled at them.
"I know you will, and thank you. I couldn't have better friends."
By Friday,however, Harper was at her wit's end. Today had been the worst day yet. While she'd been out to lunch... a necessity, now that she could no longer bring her lunch to work... they had apparently found a way to jimmy open her top desk drawer. The ink pens, which she now kept in her drawer at all times, were missing, and the drawer was filled to overflowing with tampons. New ones, thankfully, still in their packaging, but still. Tampons. And there were a handful of dead cockroaches under her desk. And thank you but she did not want to dwell on how they had come by those.
And the vase of fresh flowers she'd brought that morning for her desk... well, suffice it to say, they'd done something to the water she'd put them in. She wasn't going to hazard a guess, but she'd tossed out the flowers and poured the water (or whatever) down the toilet, holding her breath all the while to keep from gagging.
Harper was able to keep herself together, holding her emotions in check, all through the rest of the day, and for the drive back to the inn. But somehow, reaching the comforting safety of the inn was a trigger of some kind, because no sooner had she walked in the door, than a flood of tears arose.
Trying to see through her tears, blindly groping for the staircase banister to lead her up to her room, she heard her name called, and she turned.
"Harper? Oh, my goodness." Her hand was taken in a warm clasp. Renee made a disapproving tsk sound as Harper tried to dash the tears from her eyes with the back of her other hand. Something soft was put into her hand, and Harper used it to wipe her eyes.
Renee chuckled. "Good thing for you that I still carry handkerchiefs."
