Chapter 12

Riley’s POV

Oh.

Oh.

So this was Ethan Reynolds?

I didn’t know what I was expecting, but definitely wasn’t this.

Harper had described him as an arrogant, overbearing control freak. Some stiff, no-nonsense businessman who probably had a spreadsheet for how his wife should behave.

But the man in front of me?

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Warm brown eyes that held just a hint of curiosity. And his voice—low, smooth, careful.

I swallowed.

Wow.

This… this wasn’t what I was prepared for.

He was supposed to be some nightmare in a designer suit. Instead, he looked like he belonged on a magazine cover for Most Eligible Billionaire Bachelors.

My pulse picked up slightly.

Harper had met this man and rejected him?

I mean, sure, I’d made a fuss about the engagement, but looking at him now, I had to wonder… was it really that bad of a deal?

He exhaled lightly, adjusting his cuffs, “I thought it would be better to speak in private” he said smoothly. “Rather than keeping you out here.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, studying him.

Okay. Okay, Riley, think.

The logical part of my brain told me that I should just shut this down now.

That was the plan, right? Avoid him. Make it clear that this marriage wasn’t happening.

But another part of me…

Well.

Another part of me was looking at this polite, stupidly handsome man and thinking…

Maybe I was a little too hasty about all of this.

My father had arranged plenty of things for me in my life. Some good. Some infuriating.

This?

This didn’t feel like a punishment.

I glanced back up at him, holding his gaze.

“Alright” I said. lifting my chin slightly. “Let’s talk.”

Harpers POV

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!"

The familiar chime of the restaurant's doorbell rang as I stepped inside.

And immediately regretted it.

Because standing there, in my parents' restaurant, looking way too comfortable was Eric.

I choked on air. "Wh-What are you doing here?!"

Eric turned at the sound of my voice, flashing that same easy grin that once made my heart do stupid things.

"Hey, Harper! You finally made it!"

NOPE. Nope, nope, nope.

He was not supposed to be here. I was in sweats. My hair was in a messy bun that was 80% dry shampoo. This was a disaster.

Mom patted Eric’s shoulder, completely oblivious to my internal breakdown. "Oh, Eric was just helping out. Jason needed an extra hand in the kitchen."

I blinked. "Extra hands?"

"The World Cup qualifiers are today," Dad called from the back. "We're slammed."

Before I could even process that, the doorbell jingled again.

"I'm back—Wow, it's packed in here," came my brother's voice.

I whipped around to face him. "JASON! WHY DID YOU CALL ERIC?!"

Jason frowned, completely unbothered. "Nice to see you too, sis."

I pointed an accusing finger. "EXPLAIN. NOW."

Jason rolled his eyes. "What’s the big deal? He’s a friend. You do understand the concept of friends, right?"

Before I could properly explode, Eric stepped in.

"Jason's right," he said, chuckling. "And, well… I also thought I might as well since our last lunch ended kind of abruptly."

My brain immediately replayed that day.

Eric. His girlfriend. Me, sitting there like a complete idiot.

I flushed. "O-Oh. I see," I forced out. Brain, function. Please. "Seems like you just can’t survive without seeing my face, huh, Eric?" I forced a laugh.

Someone end me.

Jason cut in, deadpan, "Why is your best girl friend my self-centered, zero-personality sister?"

I saw red.

"EXCUSE ME?!"

Eric grinned, like he was watching the world's dumbest sitcom.

Jason shrugged. "I mean—"

"I HAVE GOOD QUALITIES!"

Jason folded his arms. "Like what?"

Like rent money, asshole!

I yanked out the envelope Riley had given me and waved it in his face.

Instantly, Jason’s entire demeanor changed.

"YOU'RE THE BEST, SIS!" He dropped to his knees.

I whacked him over the head with the envelope repeatedly. "Uh-huh. That’s what I thought."

"So," I said, smirking, "what were you saying?"

Jason groveled. "What I MEANT to say was—my sister has nothing but good looks and a great personality!"

I cackled before tossing the envelope at him.

"WOOHOO, MONEY!"

Mom shook her head, watching with thinly veiled amusement. "I told you we’d figure it out. You didn’t get an advance on your paycheck, now did you?"

I froze.

"Nope! Found a side job!" I beamed.

'Selling my soul.'

Dad stepped out of the kitchen, handing Jason a takeout bag. "I’m grateful for everything you do for us, Harper. But…" He gave me a pointed look. "I wouldn’t mind a son-in-law either."

I groaned.

"A son-in-law like Eric!" he continued, grinning.

I blanched. "WH-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"

Dad wrapped an arm around Eric, who looked—too amused.

Too. Amused.

Before I could shut this entire conversation down, the words left my mouth.

"ERIC HAS A GIRLFRIEND! And… And…"

"I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!"

Silence.

The kind of silence that should be illegal.

Then—

"WHAT?! A BOYFRIEND?!"

I bristled. "What? You guys don’t think I could get one?!"

Dad looked visibly distressed. Mom was clutching my arm.

Eric?

Eric was smiling like this was the funniest thing he’d ever heard.

I hated him.

"For your information," I said, doubling down, "he fell in love with me. At. First. Sight."

I jabbed a finger into Dad’s chest. Because that makes it true.

Mom blinked. "At first sight?"

Eric, looking way too entertained, leaned forward. "That’s great, Harp'. When’d you guys become official?"

My facade cracked.

"Uh…" I turned away.

'Though it wasn’t exactly a relationship… and it’s already over.'

Eric, bless his stupid, clueless heart, nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, right! How’s Riley? Sorry I left so quickly. We didn’t get to catch up properly."

I felt a pang of guilt.

"It’s all good," I muttered. "She wished she got to talk more too."

Eric grinned. "She’s great. A real people person."

I smiled weakly. Until—

"Oh! We should do lunch again! But this time, with your boyfriend."

"What."

Eric clapped a hand on my shoulder, completely serious. "A double date. How does that sound?"

My brain—

My entire soul—

CRASHED.

"Uh."

"Huh??"