“That looked way cool,” Zander agreed, offering her an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “When you twirled, your hair flew at just the right level. You added that little twitch into your step, too. That was impressive. He had no idea what happened to him.”
“Who had no idea what happened to him?” Molly asked, her fork halfway to her mouth as she ate a salad at the corner table. “I thought you guys were getting ice cream and making up. How did you manage to find drama between here and the ice cream shop?”
“We did make up,” Zander announced. “We’re back to being BFFs and acting as a united front. That’s why we’re being extremely dramatic in tandem instead of using it as a weapon against each other.”
“I don’t think we’re being that dramatic,” Harper countered.
“Yes, because that little twirl you did wasn’t straight out of General Hospital,” Zander countered. “We were dramatic, Harp. It’s a good thing in this case.”
“Why are you being dramatic?” Eric asked, wiping his hands on a napkin as he finished his sandwich in the spot across from Molly. “Why do I think we’re missing huge pieces of the story?”
“Because they haven’t told a story yet,” Molly supplied, causing Eric to roll his eyes.
“Well, for starters, there was a body in the park,” Zander said, launching into his tale. “We got there after the police, but the victim is Derek Thompson. He’s a local teenager and Harper saw his ghost. It’s too soon to tell if he was murdered or accidentally died, though, so we’re going to have to wait until Harper can talk to the ghost to find out more information on that.”
“Derek Thompson,” Molly mused. “That name sounds familiar for some reason.”
“He’s the son of Scott and Kim Thompson,” Zander explained. “They’re euchre buddies with Uncle Mel. You met them at that barbecue he had last fall.”
“Oh, no,” Molly said, her excitement diminishing. “I remember them. They seemed sweet … and the mother couldn’t stop bragging about her son. That’s horrible.”
“It is,” Zander agreed.
“I don’t understand how that leads to you and Harper being dramatic,” Eric prodded. “Was there a scene at the … um … scene?”
Molly smirked at the play on words, a momentary flash of adoration flitting across her face before she sobered.
“Jared is back in town,” Zander announced. “He took one look at Harper and said ‘hi’ like an imbecile, and then she did this really awesome turnaround and flounced away. The only thing that would’ve made it better is if her hair was long enough to whip him in the face.”
Eric frowned. “Jared is back? I hope you told him where to stick it, Harper. He doesn’t deserve you after what he did.”
“I just told you she didn’t speak to him,” Zander replied, narrowing his eyes. “She left him speechless. It was the perfect reintroduction.”
“I like Jared,” Molly said. “He’s really handsome and sweet. I think he has a reason for not calling. I don’t think we should hate him until we know he’s a douchebag.”
“I already know he’s a douchebag,” Eric said. “ Only a douchebag wouldn’t bother to call for ten days.”
The sound of someone knocking on the front door of the office caused everyone to turn, finding Jared standing in the open doorway Harper and Zander forgot to close as they returned. “Is the office still open for douchebags?” Jared asked, tightening his grip on the bouquet of roses he held.
Eric’s cheeks colored as Jared fixed him with a challenging look. “I don’t think we were expecting you,” Eric said, recovering quickly. “If you need to meet with someone, I guess I can clear some time.”
Jared rolled his eyes until they landed on Harper. “I’m here to see her.”
“I don’t think she wants to see you,” Eric said.
“Shh,” Zander commanded, moving closer to Jared and lifting the bouquet so he could study it. “This is an interesting choice. What made you go with purple roses?”
“I didn’t like the red ones because they looked like they were about to die,” Jared replied, never moving his eyes from Harper’s face. “They had pink ones, but I was told those mean friendship and I’m not feeling very friendly.”
“Good choice,” Zander said. “Harper’s not a fan of pink unless it’s really bright and on shoes. What’s in that box you’re carrying?” Zander zeroed in on Jared’s other hand, where he clutched a velvet heart-shaped box.
Jared handed the candy over. “It’s caramel. Make sure you save some of that for Harper.”
“No promises,” Zander said, tearing open the box. “Okay, Harp, I approve of his gifts. You may go outside and speak to him, but don’t forget what I told you about the proper bribe for me when you’re out there.”
Jared wrenched his eyes away from Harper and watched Zander pop a chocolate heart into his mouth. “Why am I bribing you? I’m here to bribe her.”
“I’m the way to her heart.”
“Whatever,” Jared muttered, turning back to Harper. “Can we talk outside?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Eric answered for Harper, causing her to make a face. “She’s decided that you’re out of her life.”
“No one asked you,” Jared shot back. “I’m here to talk to Harper and I’m not leaving until I do. Now, if I have to do it in front of all of you, I will. It’s going to be unpleasant, though, and if any of you say one thing I don’t like I’m going to arrest you.”
“On what charge?” Zander challenged.
“Annoying me,” Jared replied, not missing a beat.
Harper sighed. “Fine. We can go outside to talk. I don’t think this is going to end how you think it’s going to end, though.”
“Way to be strong, Harp,” Zander said. “Do not give in until he cooks us both dinner and buys an expensive bottle of wine to make up for his gross negligence in the boyfriend department.”
Harper’s cheeks colored as she got to her feet, causing her to avert her eyes. “He wasn’t my boyfriend.”
Jared studied her a moment, frustrated. He didn’t know what annoyed him more: having to grovel in front of people, having to pretend he didn’t notice the way Eric’s predatory eyes moved up and down Harper’s lithe body, or the way Harper refused to refer to him as her boyfriend. Actually, all three of those things bothered him.
“No, I am her boyfriend,” Jared said, taking himself by surprise with his fortitude. “We’re just having a … misunderstanding.”
Harper scowled and moved toward the front door, grumbling as she walked. “Misunderstanding my ass,” she muttered. “Ten days without one call is not a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding is accidentally forgetting to call at lunchtime when you say you’re going to and not remembering until it’s almost time for dinner. It’s not forgetting a person existed for ten days straight.”
Jared followed her, the inclination to shake her and kiss her warring for supremacy. He’d almost forgotten how cute she was. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He cast a look over his shoulder and focused on Zander as he reached to shut the door behind them. “I’ll be taking her home after this,” he said. “Whatever dinner thing you have planned, I’ll handle when this Derek Thompson case is solved.”
“I want steak and red-skinned potatoes.”
“Fine,” Jared said. “You’d better be on my side when she starts complaining about me. I have a feeling this isn’t going to be over as fast as I would like.”
“I’m always on your side,” Zander replied.
“Don’t eat all of that candy,” Jared warned. “It was expensive and she should get at least once piece.”
“Oh, she’s been mainlining candy since you forgot she existed,” Zander said. “I’m sure she’ll survive.”
Jared scowled and slammed the office door as he left, cringing when Harper swiveled and placed her hands on her hips.
“What do you want?”
Jared knew he was supposed to be cowering in fear and begging, but
there was something so appealing about Harper and her simple blue jeans and T-shirt that he was momentarily lost in thought. “What?”
“God, you forgot about me when you were standing across from me,” Harper snapped, shaking her head.
“I did not forget about you,” Jared argued. “I … made a mistake.”
“Oh, wow, thanks for the news flash,” Harper deadpanned. “I’ll alert the media.”
Jared ran his tongue over his teeth. “You have a right to be angry.”
“Thank you for your permission.”
Jared rubbed his hand over the top of his hair, completely dumbfounded how to handle this situation. Mel was right when he said he had no idea what he was doing. Jared was at a loss. He knew he wanted to make things better. He just didn’t know how.
For lack of anything better to do, Jared extended the flowers so Harper could take them. “I know you’re supposed to get red in a situation like this, but I didn’t like the look of the red ones,” he said. “The purple reminded me of you for some reason.”
Harper took the flowers, her eyes widening as she looked them over. “You must have spent a fortune on these.”
“I had no idea flowers were so expensive. You’re the first person I’ve ever bought them for.”
“How did you know purple was my favorite color? Did Zander tell you?” Harper asked, her blue eyes sharp as they studied his face.
“No. I honestly … for some reason those were the ones I liked so I went with my gut,” Jared replied. “I … .” He broke off, conflicted.
Harper waited.
“I’m sorry,” Jared said, gritting the words out. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Harper’s cheeks flooded, burning as shame washed over her. “You didn’t hurt me. I … that’s ridiculous. Who said you hurt me? I didn’t say that.”
Jared pursed his lips. “It’s obvious I hurt you,” he said. “I didn’t mean to. I … don’t have an excuse except I wanted you to call me. When you didn’t, I felt like an idiot and it was too late to call you without looking like an ass. I figured we would just catch up when I got back.”
“Huh. Well … I guess we’re caught up,” Harper said, making to move back into the office. “Have a nice day.”
“Don’t walk away from me,” Jared ordered, softening his voice when he caught sight of the murderous look on her face. “I really am sorry. This is the last thing I wanted.”
“What did you want?”
“I wanted a chance to go on a date with you before I got called out of town and screwed everything up.”
Jared’s answer was honest and earnest, and despite her best intentions, Harper felt her resolve melting. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Harper argued. “I thought … it doesn’t matter what I thought.” She regrouped. “I’m glad your mother is doing better. I’m sorry you had to come home to a murder. I … thank you for the flowers.”
Jared knit his eyebrows together. “Is that it?”
“That’s it. You may go.”
“Not bloody likely.” Jared grabbed the front of Harper’s shirt, taking her by surprise, and planted a scorching kiss on her lips.
She thought about fighting him, but her body wouldn’t let her. She leaned into the kiss, causing him to pull her flush against his chest. Neither one of them made a move to come up for air, instead losing themselves in each other and ten days of building anticipation.
“OH, MAN!” Eric made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “I can’t believe she fell for flowers and chocolate.”
“I told you,” Zander said, smirking as he popped another caramel heart into his mouth. “They’re an attractive couple. I can’t wait to see him with his shirt off.”
Molly giggled, stepping between Eric and Zander and watching Harper and Jared make out on the sidewalk in front of the office. “Do you think they’re officially back on?”
Zander shook his head. “I’ve got twenty bucks that says Jared assumes everything is peachy and Harper punishes him for another twenty-four hours.”
Eric looked hopeful. “Maybe she’ll realize he’s a bad kisser and dump him right now.”
Molly rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t look like a bad kisser.”
“He’s not a bad kisser,” Zander said. “Harper told me she saw stars when he finally kissed her.”
“Ugh.” Eric looked as if he wanted to throw up.
“They’re cute,” Zander said, smiling fondly at his best friend. “Too bad it’s going to be at least one more day of drama before they’re officially lovey-dovey again.”
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Molly said. “Harper deserves to have her heart flip. She’s waited a long time for someone like Jared to come along.”
“I just hope he cooks me a good dinner,” Zander said. “The only way I’m officially getting back on his side is if he wows me with a delicious steak.”
“This sucks,” Eric muttered.
“Get over it,” Zander instructed. “They fit together. I like him. He makes her smile. She deserves everything he’s going to bring to her life.”
“What if he upsets her again?” Eric protested.
“That’s life,” Zander replied, nonplussed. “Nothing is ever perfect. He is, however, perfect for my Harp. He just needs to learn to buy more than one box of chocolate next time he screws up. Harper is going to be sad she missed this round.”
Seven
“I don’t think I agreed to this.” Harper glanced around the park, frowning as the setting sun caused her to narrow her eyes. “How did this even happen?”
Jared shrugged as he ushered her down the slight embankment and toward the taped-off area where Derek Thompson’s body was discovered. “I think I managed to sneak the request in between kisses.”
Harper scowled. “You don’t play fair.”
“What’s that saying about everything being fair in love and war?” Jared challenged.
“Which one is this?” Harper knew she was putting him on the spot, and she relished her power as he shifted uncomfortably.
“I think it might be too soon to tell,” Jared replied smoothly, although his blue eyes took on a far-off look. “I missed you, Harper.”
His voice was so soft when he said the words Harper wasn’t sure she didn’t imagine them. She glanced at him. “Did you just say … ?” She didn’t want to ask the question in case it made her look needy – or ridiculous if she imagined it – so she snapped her mouth shut.
“I said that I missed you,” Jared repeated, holding her gaze. “If you think I’m embarrassed to say it, then you don’t know me. I’m not embarrassed … and I did miss you.”
Harper frowned. “You have a funny way of showing it.”
“I know.”
Harper shook her head, dislodging the warm and fuzzy feelings rolling around inside of her. “I’m still mad at you.”
“Duly noted,” Jared said, pressing his hand to the small of her back and urging her forward. “I’m not here to get you to forgive me.”
“Then why are we here?” Harper asked, scanning the area.
“Mel said you saw Derek Thompson’s ghost earlier,” Jared replied, keeping his voice low. “I was hoping you would be able to talk to him and find out what happened. If a young man’s death gets in the way of your anger … well … I guess I can take you home.”
“Oh, well, that’s playing fair,” Harper said, sarcasm practically dripping from her tongue.
“I’m not here to play fair,” Jared whispered, pressing his mouth close to Harper’s ear and enjoying the way she involuntarily shivered. It took him a minute to get his bearings, the feeling of her warm body momentarily giving him ideas, but the memory of Kim’s anguished face pulled him back to reality. Now wasn’t the time to play games. He forced himself to take a step back. “Can you see Derek?”
Harper shot Jared a dirty look. “You did that on purpose.”
“What?”
“You know what,” Harper snapped, although she turned her attention to the quiet park. “He was over here earlier,” she said, picking her way to a spot close to the tree line.
“What was he doing?” Jared asked, focusing on the seriousness of the case.
“He was just standing here and watching everyone group around his body,” Harper answered. “He looked … confused.”
“Is that normal?” Jared asked, leaning over to study the ground where Harper pointed. “I mean … do ghosts realize what has happened to them?”
“Most of them understand that they’re not still alive,” Harper replied. “A lot of them think they’re trapped in a dream. Others are … confused … by their new reality.”
“So you’re basically saying you have no idea what Derek is feeling,” Jared surmised.
Harper scowled. “You’re an ass.”
“That wasn’t a dig,” Jared argued. “You can take it however you want, but it was not a dig. I know you’re angry with me for not calling … .”
Harper crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t care about you not calling. Why would I? It’s not like we made some sort of … promise to one another before you left. We shared one kiss. You said maybe we would go out on a date. I’m not the sort of woman who gets pathetic and clingy so … .”
Jared tugged on his ear as he studied her. She was a mystery. He couldn’t wrap his head around what she was feeling from one moment to the next. “Are you saying you don’t want to date me?”
“No. Yes. No. I … what was the question?” Harper was beyond flustered.
Jared smirked. She was just as worked up as he was. “Do you know what I think?”
“That you wish you’d never bought me flowers?”
Jared shook his head. “I think you’re amped up,” he said. “I think you thought I was going to call and when I didn’t you couldn’t help feeling hurt. Don’t bother arguing with me. There’s nothing embarrassing about that.
“I should have called you,” he continued. “The truth is … I was embarrassed myself. I didn’t want to look needy. The first thought that occurred to me once I checked on my mother was calling you. Do you know what I told myself?”
Ghostly Issues (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 2) Page 5