“I’m fine. Are you good?”
“I was thinking we should go home,” Harper said.
“Are you always going to let fear win?” Chantal turned to face Harper, her back to the dance floor. “Those men aren’t like any of those boys we grew up with—especially not Jerrold Sommerstone. And you’re worried those girls will rat you out to Mother? Screw them.”
Harper nodded, wrapped her arm around Chantal’s elbow, and returned to the table.
* * *
The two menstood and held the ladies’ chairs. Chantal seated herself, striking up the conversation again: “Before the interruption, I was about to ask if you’re taking an office in the Sommerstone Tower near City Hall. That is the only large open space downtown. But thinking about it a little more, I remembered the local news is chattering about a big conglomerate buying it.”
Before either man could answer, Chantal’s eyes sparkled as she gave Kip and Kyle a hard look. “Merde, Chase Security International bought the whole building. And wait, Harp, it’s the building they’ve been highlighting all summer onOwen and Barry’sHome Sweet Yours. Holy spirits, you said Barry picked out your house.” Chantal squealed.
Kip and Kyle leaned back and watched her and her sister. “Miss Chantal has our number. Yes, ma’am, our company purchased the building,” Kyle shared. “It is now the CM Chase Building. Kip, when’s the sign going up?”
“Not sure. We may wait for the hurricane to pass.” Kip looked at his hands.
Harper observed a flash in Kip’s eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was the sign, the hurricane, or her and her sister that upset him.
“I imagine you must keep some heavy-duty secrets,” Chantal kept going.
Harper thought about what Chantal said:secrets.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Kip placed his hand on hers, and she practically jumped out of her skin.
“Harp, it’s okay,” Chantal soothed.
Harper forced a smile. “I’m sorry, you startled me.”
The waitress brought a plate of tapas to the girls’ table, and Chantal dug in.
“Pardon my sister; the Bump has a mind of its own.” Harper shook her head.
“You call it the ‘Bump’?” Kyle laughed.
“Stop! I’m catching up from all the puking the first three months.” Chantal’s eyes teared from laughing.
Harper put her fingers in her ears. “TMI.” She frowned.
“C’mon, Harp. Relax. TMI would be telling them pregnancy is making me horny. I used to wear thongs but now wear briefs. My nipples are so huge, they could channel the spirits.”
Harper dropped her head in her hands as Kyle squirmed in his seat. Kip and Chantal enjoyed the laugh. “God, Channy.”
Chantal smiled wickedly at Kyle. “Kyle should know these things; he is the baby daddy, after all.”
“Another dance, Chantal?” Kyle offered his hand.
Kip cocked his head. “Sweetheart?”
Harper looked into Kip’s eyes. There was a gentleness in his expression. As a dance partner, he was amazing. As a man, Chantal was most likely wrong. Harper was sure Kip was like all the rest.
Kip escorted her onto the dance floor as the song took on the energetic rhythm of a samba. Despite maintaining a ballroom dancer’s frame, she felt happier with every twist of her hips, her workday drifting away. She’d always fantasized about having a real partner she could feel connected to.
When the song ended, she fought with herself. Her feet wanted to head toward the table when the rhythm changed to a sensual rumba.
“Don’t go. Stay and dance this with me.” Kip twirled her into his arms, their eyes locking as he led her through the simple forward and back rocking hip movements. She felt the heat of his body and inhaled his musky scent as it surrounded her.
The song grew to a close, and the DJ called for a break. Lowering his head, Kip asked, “May I kiss you?”
