“A situation,” Harper repeated, the way she did when she wanted to rip something apart and couldn’t yet because she didn’t have all the facts.
“She’s coming to see a man from her past,” I said.
Harper went quiet.
Then, softer, “Oh.”
Yes.
Oh.
“Tomorrow,” I added. “Late morning.”
“Okay,” Harper said. “Okay. We’ll handle it. I’ll be there if you want.”
I hesitated. “I might.”
A pause.
“And him,” Harper said, voice sharpening again. “Is he with you right now?”
I glanced over my shoulder.
Cassian stood at the base of the stairs, hands loose, posture relaxed, attention on me without trying to pretend otherwise.
“Yes,” I said.
Harper exhaled. “Put him on.”
My pulse jumped.
“No.”
“Lia.”
“No,” I repeated.
A beat. Then Harper’s voice softened—dangerous in its own way. “Fine. But I’m seeing you today.”
“I just landed.”
“I don’t care,” she said. “Text me when you’re free. And—” Her tone turned warning. “If your mother is flying in tomorrow, this is not the time for a mystery man to play house with you.”
I shut my eyes again.
She wasn’t wrong.
And still?—
“I’ll text you,” I said.
“I love you,” Harper added, abrupt, like she was throwing a rope.
My throat tightened. “I love you, too.”
When I ended the call, I stood there for a moment, phone in my hand, feeling like the air in this house had shifted.
Cassian hadn’t moved.
