“I need to talk to your sister,” I blurt out. “It’s kind of urgent.”
“You mean you didn’t call her phone to talk to me? I’m hurt.”
I laugh because that’s what Normal Harper would do, but it’s a tiny bit on the hysterical side. “Let me talk to Lauren.”
“Well, you’re out of luck.” I can tell by his tone that he’s settling in for a conversation. “My darling baby sister stole my best friend and left me all by myself for the evening. She forgother phone on the counter, so I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. What can I do for you?”
“You know what? Okay. You can help me.” My desperation to end the night trumps my need to avoid Brandon for the rest of my life. “Call me in five minutes, okay? Then ignore everything I say.”
He’s quiet for a moment as if he’s trying to figure out why he would do that, but then he slowly says, “Okay…”
“Awesome, thanks.” I end the call, take a deep breath, and will my pulse to return to a normal pace.
A young woman in a navy business suit and conservative nude pumps eyes me curiously as she washes her hands. Maybe I should point her toward my date. She seems more Kevin’s type.
Once I’ve collected myself, I walk back to my seat and smile as I sit. I just have to make it through five more minutes—more like four now. No problem.
Just as I’m about to ask Kevin another question about his career—which seems to be his favorite topic, his phone rings.
He grimaces when he looks at the screen. “I’m sorry, I should take this.”
I shrug, giving him the go ahead. It’s less time I have to pretend to be interested. I take a sip from my water glass but pause with it halfway to my lips because Keven frowns, and he looks concerned.
“You’re sure it can’t wait?” Deeper frown. “No, of course I understand.” Nod, nod, nod. “Yes, I can come now.”
You have to be kidding—hepulled the phone trick onme?
Keven hangs up and gives me a look so full of genuine disappointment, I begin to think he should have gone into acting instead of banking. “I’m sorry, but an emergency has come up, and I’m afraid I have to go.”
I nod, trying to look contrite. “Of course. I completely understand.”
He waves a waiter over, hands him a crisp green bill that will more than cover the meal, and then stands. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Harper.”
“Thank you for dinner.”
Neither of us makes plans for a second date, and we awkwardly part at the door.
“I’m this way.” I point to the right.
He points to the left. “I’m over here.”
Right.
I give him a little wave before things can get worse. Just before I reach my car, my phone rings. This time it’s Brandon’s number. I’m not sure why I still have it in my phone. Not now that he hasSadie.
“You’re too late,” I tell him as soon as I answer. “My date faked his exit first.”
“Is that what we were doing? Escaping a date?”
I unlock my car, slide into the seat, and rest my head against the headrest. “That was the plan.”
“Now wait just one minute…Harper Marie, did you call me while you were on a date?”
“I didn’t call you.” I smile despite myself. “I called your sister.”
Ignoring me, Brandon goes on. “It was bad, huh?” He sounds a touch too cheerful.
“We discussed tie colors for ten minutes.”
