Page 131 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

I know you’re not at a conference, Harper. I just don’t know where you are. If you don’t answer my text within five minutes I’m contacting the FBI and telling them you’ve been abducted.

Amy rolled her eyes. “Jesus. Really? Why can’t you leave the poor girl alone? She’s having fun.”

Andrew purposely ignored her as Amy tried to do some mental time zone math. It was five o’clock in Chicago, so Andrew was texting his sister at eight a.m.

Three minutes, Harper.

She thought maybe she should break the news to Andrew before he had a conniption over Harper’s silent treatment. “Um, Andrew, you do realize your sister could still be asleep right now. It’s early morning over there.”

“Don’t care. I know her. She sleeps with her phone right by the bed. I’m not stopping until I get her attention.” Again he tapped out a text.

Two minutes, Harper.

“If you ever tried to wake my arse up with those insane texts, I’d?—”

Andrew texted again.

One minute, sis.

“That wasn’t a minute.” The moment she stopped speaking, Andrew’s phone dinged.

Harper’s response appeared.

That was not a minute, Andrew.

Amy laughed. “Told you so.”

Andrew dismissed her taunt, his expression brightening at Harper’s reply. It occurred to Amy he really did miss his sister. She experienced a twinge of guilt for keeping him in the dark.

Ha! You are there after all. Now tell me where there is.

Amy wondered if Harper would give in.

Nope. You don’t need to know. Safe. And happy. That should be all that counts.

“Goddamn it,” Andrew muttered. “This is ridiculous. I don’t know what the hell you two think I’m going to do.”

“That’s sort of the point, isn’t it? Harper truly thinks you’d hop on a plane to Australia.”

“I just want to talk to her.” He texted once more.

If I call you, you’re not going to answer, are you?

No.

Andrew’s shoulders fell. Amy felt bad. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure what the dynamics were between Harper and Andrew. She knew they both adored each other, but sometimes Amy felt as if there was something else lingering beneath the surface. Neither of them had said as much, but it was there just the same.

I’m not happy about this, Harper. At least tell me where you are.

Silence met his request.

“She really is fine, Andrew.”

He looked at her, then back at his silent phone. The persistent man tried again.

Are you going to tell me?

I’m fine. Stop worrying. Be nice to Amy.

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