Page 53 of Emergency Exit
“Yeah, you know me,” said Ash with a tight smile. “Come on, Harper.”
“Thanks,” he muttered as they exited.
“I thought maybe you didn’t want to be having that conversation,” said Harper.
“I didn’t. I guess I should have seen that coming. I’m sure Mason is fine, but I can’t send anyone remotely close to Emma the preliminary research on anything, let alone the Miller project.”
“You can’t?” asked Harper, puzzled. “Why not?”
“Yeah… it’s… Never mind. Thanks for the rescue.”
They had just settled into Ash’s Porsche, and Harper rested her head against the headrest. She knew she shouldn’t let Stephanie get under her skin, but she couldn’t help thinking that maybe Stephanie was right about her and Ash.
“I know I promised you a fun dinner,” said Ash, “but I think I’m kind of tapped out. I need to get back to the safety of the Batcave.”
“It can’t be a Batcave,” said Harper. “We’re Smoak and Ash, so it would make better sense to be a volcano lair. You know, for the fiery properties.”
“That is so obviously true that I can’t believe I didn’t think of it first,” said Ash. “I am going to get a cat so I can stroke it threateningly!”
“You’re not going to get a cat. You’re still worrying about Bob.”
“She had two yellow leaves! What if I used the wrong packing peanuts? Mom is usually on point about these things, but maybeI didn’t follow directions correctly. I’m not sure why everyone is trying to wedge everything into November.”
“Thanksgiving is coming up,” said Harper without moving her head.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. Everyone’s trying to get one more fundraising event in before the holidays, but it’s a lot to keep up with.”
“Most people probably don’t go to all of them,” said Harper reasonably.
“You make a point,” he agreed.
“I promised my sister I’d go home to visit for a week at Thanksgiving.”
“You said you didn’t like her.”
“I’m still obligated to spend time with my family.”
“See, I don’t think you are,” said Ash. They pulled up at a stoplight, and he grabbed his phone and sent a text. “Did I mention the Miller Project to you?”
“I don’t think so?” Harper tried to remember. He got excited about some of his projects, but he didn’t always specify which was which. “Was that the one with the eyeball?”
“That bionic eyeball will be a giant shift in the marketplace if we get FDA approval. But, no. The Miller Project is Dr. Daniel Miller. I’m doing a technology valuation. Did I mention it?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so either,” he agreed. “I haven’t been talking to anyone, so how did Mason know about it?”
“I don’t know,” said Harper.
“Me neither. We’re doing Thanksgiving at Rowan’s this year. I’m looking forward to it, but they didn’t invite Mom. I’m lowkey pissed. Fortunately, she’s going to Palm Springs. But Forest is bringing Chloe. They can’t invite our actual Mom, but they can invite the weird nanny? I don’t know why we have to invite the staff.”
“Oh, um. Maybe she didn’t have anywhere else to go, and he wants to be nice.” Harper struggled to get the conversation back on track. This seemed like her opportunity to mention the money. “But anyway, I will be seeing other people. At home, I mean. And I wanted to wrap up all my obligations there.”
“Obligations?” Ash repeated, sounding confused.
“Yes, financial obligations.” Harper took a deep breath and prepared to ask about money. “It’s just that—”
Ash’s phone blared out the rapid-fire notes of Flight of the Bumblebee.
