AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve sent someone to get it.” I hear a heavy sigh. “And she’s taking her sweet time. I’ll track her down.”
“Don’t worry, darling,” Juliette says. “I’m leaving now anyway. I’ll head down on my way out.”
“I’ll come with you,” I say. “I’d like to see it too. If it’s anything like the sample, it’s amazing.”
We take the elevator to the third floor. Just as we step out, Juliette’s phone rings. “Excuse me, darling, I need to take this. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”
Leaving her with her phone call, I walk into the fabric room. I’m greeted with a pert ass wrapped in a tight, black skirt bent over bolts of fabric that have been knocked onto the floor.
“Damn, I’m such a klutz,” I hear her mumble.
“Do you need help?” I ask.
The woman pauses and doesn’t turn around.
In a quiet voice, she says, “I’m fine, thanks.”
With quick movements, she stacks the bolts haphazardly against the wall and clutches one to her chest. Hanging her head low, she turns around, her dark hair falling like a curtain, covering her face. She starts to step around me, but her foot hits a bolt left on the floor, and she stumbles. The material she’s holding flies from her hands, and I catch her around the waist before she follows the blue fabric now lining the floor.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She keeps her head down and shakes herself free from my grasp. “Yes. Thank you.”
Is this the same woman I saw earlier in the hallway? The woman who reminded me of Harper. I’m desperate to see what she looks like. As she starts to leave, I wrap my hand around her wrist, stopping her, and pull her around to face me. Slowly, she lifts her face. Wide, dark brown eyes, framed with thick, black lashes stare back at me. For a second, I’m not understanding what I’m seeing. How can this woman look exactly like Harper? Then it hits me. Because itisHarper.
My heart jackhammers against my ribs. My first instinct is to pull her to me. At one point in my life, having her in my arms was as natural as breathing. As I stare in disbelief at her shocked face, it only takes a second for reality to punch me in the gut. I snatch my hand away.
“You need to tell me why the fuck you’re in my building.” Venom laces my words. Without answering, she spins on her heels and tries to rush from the room. Taking two long strides, I block the doorway. “Not so fast.”
“Please move,” she says, her voice shaking. Her chest is rising up and down like she’s run a race.
I step away but pin her with a don’t-fucking-move glare. “You need to explain what you’re doing here.” My body is vibrating with anger. I take a deep breath to keep my shit together.
“I…arrhh…” Her gaze darts toward the door.
Reading her intentions to flee, I say, “Tell me why you’re here, then I’ll personally kick your ass from the building.” I clench my fists. The temptation to do it before an explanation is strong.
“What’s happening here?” Juliette says from behind me before Harper can speak. “What’s my fabric doing on the ground?”
“I’m sorry. I tripped and…and…” Harper drops to the floor and gathers up the material.
What in the twilight zone is happening? Does Harper work here? If so, why and for how long? Why hasn’t Hayden and Lucas told me about this? Are they keeping secrets from me? Why would they do that? They know what she did to me. The questions tumble through my mind, making me dizzy.
“I’m sorry if I’ve dirtied it.” Harper clutches the material to her chest.
Juliette pushes past me and kneels in front of Harper. “Darling, it’s not a problem. It’s for a sample. I’m sure it’s fine.” She puts a hand on Harper’s shoulder. “You’re shaking. Are you okay? It’s really no big deal. There’s no damage.”
“I need to go.” Harper gathers the bolt and rises, looking ready to sprint away.
“Come with me. I’ll show you where to take it,” Juliette says as she gets to her feet.
“Bianca wants it.” Harper keeps her face turned away from me.
“Yes, darling. To give it to me. Let’s take it to my office,” Juliette says soothingly and guides Harper away.
I’m left standing alone in the room, watching the women leave, too dumbstruck to move or stop them. The familiar, sweet, fruity scent of Harper’s perfume following them. I thought I’d never see Harper again. Neverwantedto see her again. Now here she is carrying fucking fabric around the building with my head designer. What’s been happening here while I’m working in London?
I scrub my hand through my hair and march to Tamara’s office. Not bothering to knock, I storm into the room. “Why the hell is Harper Richardson here?” I demand to know.
