pepper flakes. Harper usually had yogurt. Today, the sight of the yogurt made her stomach turn over. She sat

s. He looked impeccable. The navy tie she had h

pouring himself a

er said. "

Street Journal app was open, but his eyes kept da

inal dress fitting today at four. You promised you'd come. My mother

nd. His hand paused midway to

?" he

rper said. "We talked abou

e, the one he used when he was about to disappoint

breathing down my neck, and I have to review the S-1 filing with the underwriters in midtown at four. It

i

e was lying. There was no meeting with underwriters on a Friday afternoon during a qui

shed, just to see if he would squirm. "

and to squeeze her hand. His palm was warm. It felt like a brand. "You know I do this f

ed

al-time. Turning her reasonabl

hand away under the pretense of re

his watch. "I have to run.

land to kiss her forehead. Harper squeezed her eyes

," he sai

she whi

d shut. The hea

lt more like a mausoleum. She looked at his empty coffee mug. A faint l

buzzed on

her. Love you. I'll ma

she opened the thread with the bl

you? s

ts appeared

knows what y

delete button. She didn't know this person. This could b

"dead fish" comment. She rem

ead. She closed the phone

stels or neutrals because Archer said they made her look "soft

orn in three years. It was black, structured, with sharp s

the chest, but it felt like armor. S

ere red-rimmed, her skin pale, but t

cked, her voice echo

erstand exactly what she was selling. If she was a dead fish, she would be the most expensive one he ever bought. She was going to the