Harper knew Mimi well. One of her continuing issues was power. She talked about it a lot. How she never felt like shehad much. How most of it seemed to belong to the men in the industry who controlled everything.
But the talk show she was going on was hosted by a woman. Maybe being powerful wasn’t as important. “Do you know what Kara’s going to wear?”
“No idea. But I think she usually wears pants and some kind of jacket.”
“Is Raffi going with you or are you using their hair and makeup?”
“I could do either.” She touched her hair. “He did this. It was a test to see how I’d like it. And if it would give me a headache or not. So far, so good.”
Harper thought a moment. “I’d take both outfits and decide when you get there, based on how you’re feeling in the moment. The suit is more powerful. The dress is softer, more open. Either way, that high ponytail works, if that’s something you were thinking about.”
“I was.” Mimi came back and sat at her dressing table. Up close, the suit and scarf colors really popped. “Maybe I’ll get Fayetta to take some photos of me in both outfits so I can see how they look, too.”
Fayetta was Mimi’s housekeeper and, Harper imagined, her sounding board when there was no one else around. Harper was fine with that. She’d met Fayetta. The woman took no prisoners. “Sounds like a good plan.”
“Thanks, Harper.”
“Anytime, Mimi.” Harper meant it, too. Unlike some of her other clients, who’d been unhappy with Harper’s news about moving to Florida, Mimi had been fine with it. For that, Harper would always be on call for Mimi.
Mimi wiggled her fingers. “Talk to you soon. Bye now.”
“Bye.” The screen went black as Mimi disconnected. Harper carried her laptop back to her bedroom. Her phone, which she’dforgotten on the bed, was vibrating with an incoming call. She grabbed it and took a look at the screen.
Jack.
She answered. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Hey.” He let out a long, frustrated sigh. “Those boats are still out there. Those idiots with their cameras. I came here to relax and get away and recharge, man.”
“I know you did.” He’d come here to escape a bad decision, made worse by the woman he’d made it with, but Harper wasn’t going to bring that up. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this. How can I help?”
“I don’t know, man. I feel like…like giving them a piece of my mind.”
“You know that won’t help, Jack. You know that’s exactly what they want you to do.”
“Did you see what they’re saying about me? That I’m losing my mind. Can you believe that? They’re saying I’m having a breakdown. Me. Well, if I am, it’s becausethey won’t leave me alone.”
“I know, I know.” Harper rubbed her forehead. She felt for Jack. His escape plan had turned into a trap, and he seemed to be reaching his limits. “I’ll try to think of something, okay?”
Jack sighed into the phone. “It’s not your problem, man. I appreciate you wanting to help, but—”
“Hey. It is my problem. You’re my guest. And my client.”
Another long sigh filled her ears. “I’ll be all right.”
“I know you will. But I still want to help.”
He laughed softly. “You’re all right, Harper.”
“So are you, Jack. Hang tight. I’ll come up with something.” She had no idea what, but she was sure going to do her best to figure something out.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Mitch grabbed his phone as soon as it started ringing. He was expecting Lucinda. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mitch.”
He smiled. “Harper. Not who I was expecting but a nice surprise all the same.”
