“Alex, Shane, what a surprise! Harlow didn't say you guys were joining us for lunch.” She greets them, and they both go to her and give her a lingering kiss on the cheek, Shane winking at me over her shoulder. Yes, full-court press from the guys. Jacinta is not going to know what hit her.
“Oh, it was a last-minute thing. I’m sure she just didn't get a chance to tell you.” Alex covers for me before they both approach and hug me, Alex giving me an extra-tight squeeze because neither of them knew about Jacinta and Jace either. Everyone is surprised today. “Apart from a couple of phone calls, we haven’t had a chance to catch up since we did the trip to Louisiana with Jace. And now that her warden has allowed her to leave the house...” He winks at Thomas, who raises an eyebrow in amusement. “We thought we’d take full advantage of it.”
“Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving,” I announce, heading for the table. I just need to get the rest of them eating so they can’t run away once Hope comes over with my alibi.
Chapter Twelve
Harlow
Sure enough, just as everyone has dished up plates of the yummy food, Hope arrives and announces that I’m needed elsewhere. I can see the questioning look on Jacinta’s face, but before she says anything, I jump to my feet.
“Damn it, and I had just started lunch!” I’m not sure my acting is all that great because Thomas raises that enigmatic eyebrow once more, but the other guys don’t miss a beat. I’m pretty sure they’re all picking up what I’m putting down. “Come on, Tom.” I slip up and call him by his family nickname, but quickly go on, hoping no one notices. “You better escort me to make sure no one kidnaps me or makes an attempt on my life again.”
That goes over well... not. The room falls into awkward silence, and Jacinta’s face looks haunted at the reminder. Alex, the sweetie, reaches over and grabs her hand, giving it a squeeze before scolding me. “Harlow, that’s not funny. How can you joke about such things?”
“Yeah, sorry, you’re right. But if I don’t joke about them, there’s a good chance I’ll fall to pieces,” I quietly apologize, and their faces all turn sympathetic. Not wanting to see the pity, I quickly wave goodbye and pick up my full plate. “I’m just going to take mine with me. Hope, you should help yourself. There’s plenty of food. You should bring yours too,” I instruct Thomas. “I’m not sure if we’ll get back in time to eat.” Hope makes herself a plate as everyone else at the table starts to eat, and Thomas slowly stands up and grabs his own.
“I’m so sorry about this,” I repeat to Alex and Shane. “I’ll call you tomorrow, so we can make plans. We’re not going to Europe until next weekend now, so I’m sure we can fit something in before we go.”
“Sounds good,” Shane assures me as Alex winks and Jace waves a hand. Jacinta starts to say something again, but I cut her off.
“I’ll see you tonight at game night!” As master of the smooth exit strategy, I hurry Hope and Thomas out of the room before she can question us. The three of us make our way to the elevator before silently stepping in.
“So what’s so important that you needed Harlow for?” Thomas asks dryly as the elevator heads for Neighpalm Records once more.
Hope looks at me, and I shrug. “It’s all part of my matchmaking scheme, and I know you know that.” I poke him in the chest with my fork.
“Just checking. So where are we going now?” he asks, looking between the two of us.
“Our office. Holden’s still chatting with Ninja Starfish in the conference room, and I thought we could have lunch before the doctor and PT get here.”
Thomas nods his head. “Okay, I’m going to my office, then I have to talk to Dad about something. Let me know if you plan to go anywhere else.”
I gape at him. “Justokay? You made a huge fuss in the garden room, practically manhandling me in your anger, and now you’re just going to leave us?” The elevator doors open in front, and Hope steps out, leaving me with the stone-faced Thomas.
“Get off the elevator, Harlow,” he deadpans. I step out, but as I watch the doors close, I think I see one side of his mouth curl up the smallest amount. Nah, I must have imagined things. Otherwise, I think I’d just have to fall over in shock. Shaking my head, I follow Hope to Holden’s office.
“Hey, what was that about him manhandling you?” she asks as we enter his empty office and take a seat on the couches.
I put my plate on the coffee table in front of us and breathe out a tired sigh. “Wow, it’s been a busy morning.” I try to stall, pushing away the escaped tendrils of hair around my face.
“Harlow, don't avoid my question.” I look up at my friend; her brown eyes are sparkling with amusement as she shovels a forkful of food into her mouth.
“Ugh, freaking Thomas cornered me when I got lost in the garden room, demanding to know why I wasn't being more careful. Scared the crap out of me by putting his hand across my mouth and pushing me against the wall. What is it with men pushing me up against hard surfaces?”
She wiggles her eyebrows and gets up, going over to a mini fridge and pulling out two bottles of water. “I don't know, sounds like fun to me.” She hands me one of the bottles before unscrewing the lid of hers and taking a drink. “You’re getting to him, Harlow. Before you know it, your harem of five will be a harem of six, and women around the world will mourn the loss of the eligible Summers men.”
I roll my eyes at her. “Please. Thomas has made it clear to me that I’m only a job.” I know I’m trying to deny it, but I secretly wonder if she’s right. He didn't feel uninterested. In fact, he felt extremely interested until he ripped his body away from me. “Anyway, it's not all it’s cracked up to be, trust me. I have five boyfriends, and do you think I can get any of them to put out? Seriously, until this morning, they’ve been treating me like fragile glass. Well, Holden, Oliver, and Kai have been. I’ve barely seen Jaxon or Declan this week, and we’re certainly not at the sharing a bed stage. I swear I’m so frustrated that I’m likely to jump the next one I see no matter where we are.”
“Well, I guess that makes me the luckiest one of all.” Looking up, Oliver is standing at the door I hadn’t even noticed had opened. Though from the look on Hope’s face, she had.
I feel a blush creep over my cheeks as he joins me on the couch, throwing himself next to me. “Here I am, now proceed with the ravishing.” He reclines with his arms wide, causing Hope to giggle with laughter.
“Settle, loverboy. Let me eat some lunch and build up my energy first.” I pat his leg, and he pouts playfully before sitting back up.
“I saw Thomas in the elevator, and he told me about your matchmaking schemes.” He tries to pinch something off my plate, but I pretend to stab him with my fork. “I guess once Jacinta is all tucked away, it will be your turn,” Oliver says to Hope, who instantly stops giggling and shakes her head.
“Oh no you don’t, Oliver Summers. Just because you’re blissfully happy and getting everything you’ve always wanted, don't you go sticking your nose into my business. I am perfectly happy being single and ready to mingle.”
