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“You’re welcome.” I scramble to think of a reason to make her stay. But I’m drowning in her eyes again. I figure it’s best to let her leave since we’re not at each other’s throats and pacing is as important as the details. “I’ll see you in the morning.” I close the door behind her. “Drive safely.”
Harper pulls out of the parking lot, and I'm not confident she'll accept my proposal—either of them. I head back inside, prepared to work late. The marriage proposal slipped out, her fiery pushback had me wanting to see how far I could take it—and her. I growl to relieve the tension of waiting. I want Harper to say yes. I believe she’ll say yes. Why shouldn’t she? I made one hell of an offer. But I have a Plan B in motion, hence the stack of resumes I’ll review just in case she doesn’t return tomorrow.
I enter my office, dropping in the chair behind my desk with images of Harper sashaying off, the fullness of her hips, and the beauty of her smile. I type "Platinum Prestige" in a search engine, rolling closer to my desktop.
“What do we have here? An elite concierge service company.”
The website is in maintenance mode. But the temporary visual is striking. Ten women, dressed in black suits. I recognize a couple. I press play on the trailer, and it opens with Hunter Preston with flashes of the others. Each talking about the brand, how it started, and then Harper smiles at the camera. Then my growing curiosity mixes with my simmering attraction creating a heated hunger for the lovely Miss Harper.
I submit a query in the form, curious to see how they’ll respond. I close the browser with more questions than answers. Why didn’t I get her number? I could always call James. I toss that thought aside. It’s best to not involve her father, this is between Harper and I. The idea of pursuing and winning over Harper appeals to the man in me. I want her plain and simple. And I intend to get her.
I shake my head and realize it's best to call it a night. Might as well grab some dinner and come back early tomorrow. I can't focus, and it's all because of a curvy bombshell named Harper Price.
Chapter 5
Harper
“Are you here for speed dating?” I smile at Yuki, the hostess and one of the owners of S&J.
“I should say no, but I’m Charlee’s wingman tonight.”
“You’ll be all right. The ladies are sitting, and the guys are walking from table to table. Do you want to take notes?” She holds up a brochure.
“Yes, god help me if I forget to rate one of the guys for her.” We share a knowing laugh. This is one of our regular hangout spots. The owners and staff know us well, and they’re one of our clients. Yuki adds my name to the list and gives me a name tag.
I head to the bar ready for a shot then a glass of wine and to think about my day. Liam is at the top of my list. His sharp green eyes and reddish hair make for a striking contrast. Much like the turmoil, I’m feeling. Because for some odd reason I’m stuck on a question blurted out in the heat of the moment. Marry me. And the fact that he knows my father and still has the nerve to ask me, Harper Price, to marry him, whether in jest or not says a lot about Liam Walsh.
“Uh oh, what happened?” I glance up from my daydream to find Hunter. “How’d the meeting go?”
“Uh, it went.” I drain my glass dry. “How are Titi’s babies?” I talk to her belly.
“Titi’s babies are playing soccer.” She chuckles sitting next to me. “How’d the meeting go?”
“It went. I have a followup with Liam tomorrow morning.”
“Liam?” Her head snaps in my direction.
“I mean, Mr. Walsh.”
“A shot and a glass of wine.” She rocks side to side to get comfortable on the bar stool. “Do I want to know?”
I hate that my friends can read me like a book. “It went well. I made my request…and…and he made an offer. I…” I take a deep breath, in my nose and out my mouth. I hate when I stumble over my words. It makes me feel uncomfortable, ready to keep to myself. And I find myself wondering if people doubt my ability to interact professionally.
“Did something happen?” Her eyes squint in a motherly way.
“I swear you have the mother gaze down.” I laugh.
“I do, don’t I?” Hunter dances in her chair. “Girl we need to find a booth, my butt is too damn big for these stools. “There’s one. Let’s go over there.”
“Are you going into the speed date too?”
“Girl, and have Ben drag me, and the twins, out? No, ma’am. Charlee said she was meeting you here, so I came to check on you.”
“Why?” I ask, my heart dropping.
“Why? We always debrief, and you didn’t call me.”
“You thought I’d blow it?” My heart sinks to a new low.
