“Oh,” I say as the pieces click into place. Her boyfriend must be a player. I wonder if he and Liam are friends.
“Hey, you should come!” Harper says, excitement in her voice. “Please say yes. You’re new in town, right? It’ll be a nice way of getting to know a few people away from work.”
“I'd love to.” It dawns on me how isolated I’ve been, not knowing anyone in the city. Harper seems like exactly the kind of person I'd want to be friends with. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Perfect.” Harper beams. “It's next Friday night. The team has Friday off before their game on Sunday, so it works out. I'll text you the details once we're done here.”
Friday makes sense. It gives me something to look forward to beyond work. “Sounds great.” I pull out my notebook, ready to refocus on business. “So, about Saturday's hospital visit?”
Harper's expression shifts back to professional. “Right. Let me pull up the details.” She opens her laptop. “We have Cole, Jake, Ryan, and Alex confirmed for two PM at the Children's Hospital on the Upper East Side. The kids are expecting photos, autographs, the whole experience.”
“I'd like to add Liam to that list.”
Harper locks gazes with me. “Liam was on the original invitation list. He didn't respond. Not the first time either.”
Shame floods through me, which is ridiculous. I'm not responsible for his choices, but somehow his pattern of ignoring commitments feels like my failure now, too. “He'll be there. Even if I have to drag him myself.”
A small smile tugs at Harper's lips. “Bold strategy. The hospital is expecting four players. If I add a fifth, especially last minute, they'll need to adjust their schedule.”
“I understand. I'll make sure he's there and ready to engage.” A need to defend him comes over me. “He's not as bad as his reputation suggests.”
Harper's eyebrow arches. “Really? Because his reputation suggests he's pretty bad.”
“Yes, he’s wild and impulsive, and makes terrible decisions.” It hurts to say this, but it’s true. “But he's got a good heart. He adopted six puppies.” The memory of walking into Liam’s house to the puppies creating havoc in his living room makes me smile.
Her eyes widen slightly. “Sixpuppies?”
I nod. “He rescued them from a shelter that wanted to put them down. He got all of them because he couldn't stand the thought of them being put down.”
Harper's expression shifts. “That's actually kind of sweet.”
“It is.”
My heart pounds as an idea sparks in my mind. “Harper, do you know any photographers? Someone who could be available right now?”
“Right now?” Harper blinks at the subject change. “I work with several, but availability on a Tuesday afternoon is tough. Why?”
“I need photos. Good ones. Of Liam with the puppies.”
Understanding dawns in Harper's eyes. She reaches for her phone. “Let me make some calls.” She dials, waits. “Hey Josh, it's Harper Hayes. I have a last-minute shoot. Like within the hour. Are you free?” Her face falls. “Damn. Okay, thanks anyway.”
She tries another number immediately and proceeds to explain. This one seems to go well and relief floods me. “You're amazing. I'm giving your number to Avery Carter from the Renegades PR team. She'll give you the details.”
She scribbles something down on her notepad and tears off the sheet, sliding it across the desk. “Rob is good, and he owes me a favor.”
“Harper, you're a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome.” She stands up at the same time as I do.
“Good luck tomorrow. Media days are brutal enough without having to clean up All-Star weekend shenanigans.”
“I know, hence the puppy pictures,” I say, gathering my things.
Outside Harper's office, I pull out my phone and text Liam.
Me: Are you home?
His response comes within seconds.
