Page 30 of Nothing to Tell

“Sure, but—”

“It’s just lunch, a little luncheon.Nothing inconsiderate in that, is there?”Innocence seemed far from that glow in Carolyn’s eye.“There’s someone I’m dying for you to meet.”

TWELVE

SOMEONE TO MEET?

The first person she’d considered was Keely.Which was why sitting still in Carolyn’s fancy chauffeur driven car was so difficult.His sister?Bastian adored his sister.That wasn’t a bond she wanted to jeopardize with their lie.

Getting away from Damon was a plus.No denying it.Leaving him gaping had been kind of fun.Carolyn deserved thanks for swinging that.Maybe if her ex hadn’t been around, she’d have put up more of a fight to avoid the lunch.She should’ve called Bastian to let him know what was going on, except… she didn’t have his phone number.Another thing she couldn’t admit to that particular audience.

Not that it necessarily would’ve made a difference.Harper wasn’t cut out for winning battles against members of the Hunt family.They were a determined bunch.

Instead of running out on him Saturday, maybe she should’ve first discussed with Bastian how to address telling the truth.Until they had that conversation, her hands were tied.So much for never seeing him again.The last thing she wanted to do was damage the son’s relationship with his mother, but she had no idea how to play this.

They stopped outside a restaurant she’d never been to before.Had they meant to stop?The road was suddenly busy as vehicles slowed.Why?Another car was parked at the curb too, surrounded by a mob that washed the full width of the sidewalk, rippling this way and that like a sudden riptide.

What caused the commotion?

Or who.

In LA, it was usually a who.

The back door was opened and both she and Carolyn were helped out of the car.Noise gathered from the bustling group, roaring and screeching, all baying for the attention of… A couple of big guys barged people out the way, creating a corridor to free another few burly guys and out emerged a beauty wearing a boatneck dress and oversized sunglasses.

“Right on time,” the tiny brunette said, adjusting to head for the door as another guy opened it.“Let’s get inside.”

That woman had been in the current and got out alive?Security sure were pros.

At the restaurant door, the beauty lingered to wave at the crowd.She and Carolyn were ushered to a table in the far corner, next to the glass walls showcasing a private rear courtyard.

“This is beautiful,” she said.

Someone helped her with her seat, another helped Carolyn.The pair raced to get the third seat as the brunette joined them.Slipping off her shades, a sigh left the woman’s lips when she sat.

The woman.Brunette.Familiar.Why would—

“This is the intrigue?”the stranger asked Carolyn with a smile that never strayed.

“Yes.Harper Scott, I’d like you to meet Roxanna Kyst.Oh, or should that be Lomond?”

“Officially, we’re hyphenating, a nod to the caveman thing, but it doesn’t matter.Whatever is fine.I know who I am.Course my guy may not say the same.We all know what he’s like,” Roxanna said, rising just a little to reach over the table.“Roxie.”

“Harper,” she said, accepting the handshake.

On letting go, Roxie dropped back into her seat.“We could’ve done this at the club or back at the hotel.We’re paying the competition here.”

They were separated from the rest of the room.Tables around them were empty.On purpose?Maybe.Maybe not.The restaurant wasn’t full, only a dozen or so tables were occupied, yet, hmm, they did appear to be drawing some whispering interest.Security guards formed a perimeter, standing ready, for what?Anyone who may invade their sanctuary, or Roxie’s sanctuary anyway.

Carolyn lowered her volume.“We’re flying under the radar.”

Drawn in, Roxie got closer.“Oh, we are?”Glee wrapped the beauty.“I love a good caper.”

“Bastian doesn’t like it when I meddle in his love life.”

“What?Are you kidding?”Roxie exclaimed.“That’s half a mother’s job.”Her head went sideways.“Although, if my mother tried that…”

“She’d be in cahoots with your husband.”