Page 23 of The Truth of Us

“What?” she asked, noticing the shift in me immediately.

“Nothing.” I replied, taking another drink.

“You looked annoyed.” She said.

“I’m not annoyed.” I replied, and it felt like I was stuck in a verbal sparring match with an equal for the first time in… forever.

“You’re lying.”

I pointed at her with my rocks glass. “You’re enjoying this entirely too much.”

“I’m working.” She huffed, and I would have enjoyed it far more had she stomped her foot.

“You are far too invested in Caleb’s marital potential for someone working.”

Her eyes danced slightly. “Is that something people in your world don’t consider?”

“Marriage?”

“Yes. Well, not…” she replied before correcting herself and saying, “Marriage as something that people choose for love and not convenience.”

I snorted. “Not successfully.”

“That’s sad.” She replied, and her voice matched her words.

“You’re sounding judgmental again.”

Harper took another sip of water. “I’m not judging. I’m observing patterns.”

“Right. Your favourite hobby.”

“I have others.” She said with a soft smile.

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

“Like what?” And oh my god, did I actually want to know…

Her gaze slid to mine slowly. “I'm not telling you.”

Christ.

I pushed away from the counter and moved closer before I thought too hard about it.

“What about Theo?” I asked.

She laughed softly. “Seriously. What does he actually do?”

I smiled despite myself. “You know what? I honestly have no fucking idea.”

“That can’t be true.” She said, and then tilted her head to the side, exposing a bare shoulder as her silky hair shifted with her.

What was wrong with me?

“It absolutely is,” I replied, trying to stay on track.

“He doesn’t work for Northwell?” She asked.