* * * *
Harper repeated eachsong three times, and when she had been at it for an hour, she called a break.She took the headphones off and hung them up.There was a tiny crowd of six outside.
She straightened and made sure her hood was up.She stepped out and asked, “How is it sounding so far?”
The man on the panel grinned.“Your voice is amazing.”
“Thank you.It was installed at the factory.I am going to go get something to drink.I will be back at it in twenty minutes.Only six more songs to go, and I need a cup of tea.”
The two men with Asian features and alpha height looked at her as she walked between them.“Please excuse me.”
She walked outside and went looking for a café.Not finding one, she headed for the hotel.
Harper got a table and ordered some hot tea.When it arrived, she added a bit of sugar and stirred slowly.
A shadow fell over her table, and she heard, “Harper?”
She froze and looked up.“Hello, Tez.Were you here for the run?”
“Yeah?You?”
“Just doing some voice work.Here for the day.”She raised her cup to him and sipped.
“May I sit?”
She held her hand out and waved for him to take the other seat.
He sat across from her, and she took in his golden hair, bright blue eyes, and athletic physique.
He looked at her and rubbed the back of his neck.“I heard what happened with Devin and Skyler.”
“Of course you did.”
“You handled it well.”
She chuckled.“I just left before the wedding.”
“That was the best way to handle it.A better way would be to return with an actual husband.”His lips curled up at the edges.
Harper raised her brows.“Really?I would have to find someone to sacrifice.”
Tez smiled.“You would not be searching long for a volunteer.”
“Yes, well, that isn’t why I am here, and I have an excellent life over on Emerald.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes.I moved the company headquarters to the islands as soon as I realized my fiancé was screwing my brother.I pulled all the funds they were living on.”
Tez grinned.“They have been looking for you.”
“I have been avoiding cameras since I came out here.”
He looked at her hood.“Wow.That will do it.What are you doing for dinner?”
“Eating.”
He sighed.“I meant, would you join me for dinner?”
