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Marie bobs her head. “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.” She spins on her heels and leaves.
IfIcan’t make Harper happy, I’ll move heaven and earth to get her back one thing that did.
Chapter Forty-Four
HARPER
SittinginJuliette’soffice,I stare at my phone. Every day at the same time, I wait anxiously for Finn’s text. It’s the best and hardest part of my day. How am I supposed to get over him and move on? Every time I reply to one, I promise myself it will be the last. Then I’d receive one more and I can’t help writing back.
Like clockwork, my phone beeps with a message.
Finn: I miss you.
Me: I miss you too.
God, I miss him so much. Not having him in my life is crushing. It’s worse than anything I’ve ever been through. My parents’ betrayal and marrying Derek don’t compare to the emptiness I feel without Finn.
Juliette sails into the room in a flourish of yellow organza fabric looking too bright and cheerful for my mood. “Morning, darling. I have special plans for you today.” Whipping a fan out of her pocket, she waves it in front of her face.
“What is it?” I ask with interest. Hopefully it will take my mind off Finn. Though I doubt it.
With a flick of her wrist, she closes the fan. “You, my darling, are going to check a property for me that we’ve scouted for an upcoming photoshoot.”
I frown. “What photoshoot? I didn’t think there were any scheduled for a few months. I heard you going over the photoshoot schedule with your assistant.”
“This is something exclusive that I’ve been keeping under wraps.”
“And you want me to check out the site? You’re coming with me, right?” This is a huge responsibility for someone who doesn’t work here anymore.
She holds her arms out wide. “I can’t. I have too much to do here.”
What? She’s not coming?“How am I to know if the location is suitable? I’ve done nothing like this before.” Although I’m happy Juliette trusts me with such a task, I’m not sure if I’m the right person for the job.
Juliette moves to a mannequin, turning her back to me, and adjusts the garment. Over her shoulder, she says, “I’ve seen photographs. It looks like the perfect location. All I need you to do is to confirm the property looks as good as the photos.”
Okay, that doesn’t sound so hard. I can do that. “When would you like me to go?”
“Now,” she says, lifting the hem of the dress and examining the stitching.
“Now? But I haven’t seen the photos.”
“I’ll text them to you while you’re on your way.”
I rise from the chair. “Where am I going?”
Juliette picks up a pencil from the desk and stands behind an easel. Only the top of her bright red hair is visible. “Mirror Lake.”
“As in Lake Placid?”
“Yes, darling. It’s such a beautiful location. Have you ever been there?”
On a shuddery breath, I say, “Yes, I have.”
Mirror Lake!My heart drops to my feet. The last time I was there was with Finn. We spent the weekend swimming in the lake, laughing, making love, and planning the rest of our lives together. The cabin, the lake, the solitude was wonderful. We dreamed of buying it from my father one day. Soon after that magical day, my life turned to hell.
“I can’t go.” Even being in the town would be too much. My heart is too raw and bruised to relive some of the happiest days with Finn.
“Why not?” Juliette says from behind the easel.
