“Let’s hear it,” says Wade.
“Well, I think it’s actually pretty simple. Colton needs to go out with Tessa.” Sadie cackles as Harper turns the glare on James.
“And how would that be helpful, exactly?” she asks.
“Well, she’s the bar manager. She would know a lot about the other people who work here.”
“Great, then you ask her out,” Wade replies.
“Yeah…you’re more my type than she is, big guy,” says James, winking at Wade. “Look, sheclearlyhas a crush on Colton. It’s perfect. She even invited him to something tonight with the rest of the staff. It’s the perfect opportunity for him to go out and see what information he can gather. You know, thejobhe’s supposed to be doing. Unless you think his continuing to pine over you is helping get you back into your own apartment faster. Then, by all means…” James trails off, his words harsh but true.
I haven’t been focused, all my energy spent worrying about Harper and me, instead of Harper andCirque.
“It’s a good plan,” I admit, watching Harper for any signs of anger.
“I agree, it is,” she says with absolute practicality. Like we just agreed to a lesson plan on how to draw shapes, not setting me up on a date with another woman.
We look around the room, and everyone silently nods their assent. “Perfect, better go tell your date the good news.”
And just like that, I’ve been dismissed. The ink on my thighs burns with each step to the bar where Tessa waits eagerly. Mydate.
39
HARPER
Password Incorrect.
It’s like I can hear a phantom buzzer going off every time the message pops up on my screen. I don’t know why the password is wrong, and of course, the saved passwords were on my old laptop. I'd better ask Sadie to help me before it eventually locks me out for too many failed attempts, if I haven’t already hit that limit.
About fifteen minutes after I send off an emergency help text to Sadie, she and Wade are walking through the door to my office.
Sadie motions for me to get out of the desk chair so she can drive, and Wade leans against the wall next to us.
“Everyone gone for the night?” I ask him while Sadie clicks and clacks away on the keyboard, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“Yup, just the three of us left,” he replies. “Since it is about 11 P.M. on a night when we aren’t open, in case you forgot.”
I scowl at him. “I’m so sorry, do you have somewhere else you need to be right now?”
“Yeah, at home. Asleep,” he grumbles.
“Harper, what did you do to this laptop?” Sadie whines. “Do you know how long it took to set up all the shortcuts and security access on this? Where is half of it? I swear to God, I will remove your admin access on your own laptop.”
“Excuse you. I didn’t do anything to it.” I hold up my hands in defense. “We both know I don’t know enough about this stuff to fuck it up. It’s whatever you installed when you replaced it last year.”
Sadie’s insistent typing falters, her head slowly lifting to look at me.
“Say that again,” she grits out.
“I didn’t fuck it up, Sadie, I promise!” I will not take the blame for this. I don’t touch half the stuff on the computer. Most of my needs are email and the basic Microsoft platforms.
“No, the part about me replacing your laptop. A thing I definitely didn’t do.” She holds my stare as things start to click into place.
“Oh, fuck,” I say, bringing my face down to hover next to hers, the gears working over in her brilliant little mind.
“What are you two freaking out about?” Wade asks, pushing himself off the wall and standing in front of us, trying to peer over the top of the laptop.
He leans a little too far, and Sadie flicks the top of his head, forcing him back while she types.
