Page 96 of From London, With Love

Great, now I’m crying again.?

I run my hands through my hair and let out a sigh, tears silently streaming down my face. I don’t even want to know how ridiculous I look right now; a splotchy mess for sure.

Mia pulls me into a tight hug. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you further,” she mumbles into my shoulder. I press my wet cheek against the side of her head.

“It’s not you, I’m just an emotional mess right now.” The words are half choked by a laugh.?

“Is the general lost feeling all, or is there something else?” When I don’t immediately respond, Mia pulls back, placing her hands on my shoulders. “Is it Carter?”

I grimace, and Mia’s shoulders drop. “We don’t have to talk about this.”

“Lara, you’re my best friend, and he’s my brother. You are two of the people I care about most, of course I want you to be able to talk to me about him.”

“I don’t want to make things uncomfortable between us. I know how close you guys are, and I’d hate to make that weird.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Lars. I love you both, and I want to know what’s going on. Just do me a favour and spare me the dirty details, please. I barely get by knowing the stockroom situation was actually my brother; anything else and you might send me to an early grave.”?

“So you didn’t tell her about the boardroom?” Harper said, causing Mia and me to jump out of our skin.?

We turn in unison to find Harper standing by the living room doorway, her own Screaming Oin hand.?

Mia whirls back in my direction, her blonde ponytail almost taking my eye out. “Boardroom? What about the boardroom?” Before I can determine an appropriate response, Mia’s speaking again. “You know what, don’t answer that. I absolutely do not want to know.” She turns to face Harper once more. “Harps, you suck for bringing that to my attention.”

“Oh please, no details were given.”

“I might be blonde, but I’m notthatdim. I can put two and two together and get boardroom.”

Oh, kill me now, please.

I slap a hand to my forehead, dragging my palm down my face.

“Harps, so glad you’re home.” The sarcasm is thick. I pat the small square of unoccupied couch next to me. “Come, sit.”

A grin stretches across Harper’s face as she makes her way over, But the grin fades the moment she gets close enough to see the tear tracks down my face. Harper’s head swivels between Mia and me, searching for information. “What on earth did I miss?”

Together, we proceed to catch Harper up on the evening’s events. By the time we get caught up to the point of her entrance, our glasses are empty.?

“Right, refill time. If I’m about to analyse the feelings one of my best friends has for my brother, I need more alcohol. I think this calls for a round of Homerun Lane’s.”

Mia takes our empty glasses, leaving Harper and me slack-jawed at her reference. The cocktail is aptly named after Maren Moore’sHomerun Proposal,a best-friend’s-brother romance.

After Mia’s left the room, Harper pulls her legs up onto the couch, crossing them beneath her and turning toward me. With hands clasped in her lap, she mirrors an eager preschooler. “You left one part out—what was it that upset you to the point of tears tonight?”

Oh, just spit it out you baby.?

“At the risk of sounding like a complete fool, Carter didn’t text me today.”

Before I’d even uttered the words, I knew she wouldn’t know how to respond. Not because she thinks I’m a complete fool, but because this issounlike me.?

Harper leans against the arm of the couch, assessing me, then taps a finger against her lips, contemplating. “First things first, you’re not a fool, and that isn’t a foolish thing. Your feelings are more than valid, okay? Secondly, let’s clarify—the lack of a text from Carter is what got to you today, is that right?”

“That’s what started it.” I slump against my end of the couch, pulling my knees up against my chest. “How did I even end up in this position? I’ve never had an issue with casual sex before; why now? And why him?”

“Before the overthinking takes complete hold of you, let’s talk it all out.”

I groan. “Mia doesnotwant to hear that.”

“What do I not want to hear?” Mia pops her head out from the kitchen, holding a finger to her earlobe.?

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