Page 100 of Cougar

“Why the notes?”

“It’s just Marcus’s way of being included in her life. You don’t approve?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I feel like each note reopens the wound, but at the same time I wish my mother and sister had left me with more than just an old notebook full of secrets.”

“I’m sorry.” I frown. “Have you thought about talking to Cole?”

“Do you think he’d understand?”

Probably not. I shrug. “He’s a bit hardheaded and stubborn. He and Willow exist in their own little bubble. I honestly don’t know how he’d take it. I know he likes you, so you have that going for you. What about the Averys?”

She shakes her head. “No. I feel like they’d be disappointed in me if they knew what I’ve done to get by.”

My heart twists in my chest. “Harper, you didn’t do anything wrong.” I raise my brows. “Unless you were having sex for money,” I tease.

Harper snorts. “Close enough.”

My eyes go wide and she waves me off. “It wasn’t like that. My ex-boyfriend, Josh, is the owner of JC’s Cabaret and Gentleman’s Club. That’s how we met. I worked there as a server.”

“Why?”

“Because the money was ridiculous. The money my mother left my sister and me only lasted for so long. Working at JC’s allowed me to pay for my car insurance, clothes, food. I worked to survive.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” I throw my arms around her and hug her to me. This girl has experienced so much in her short life, and her strength blows me away. She’s amazing. She’s a survivor. She’s Patrick Avery’s little girl. David and Patty Avery’s granddaughter. Willow’s aunt. Jay’s friend. And she’s important to Cole.

She’s family.

“Please don’t tell Jay.” She swipes the tears from her cheeks. “I’m embarrassed.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” I smile. “All of them.”

“Thank you.”

“Harper, can I ask you to do me one favor?”

She nods.

“Promise me that if you ever need anything—shoes, clothes, food, money for your car insurance—that you’ll come to me.”

“Okay.”

* * *

Cam

My phone vibrates on the counter beside my coffee mug. I pick it up to see Emerson’s name on the screen.

“Hey, gorgeous. How’s the party planning going?”

She sighs. “So far so good. There’s not much to do, honestly. I think I might go lie by the pool and read for a bit. What are you up to?”

“Playing around online. I’m having lunch with my parents. What time should we be there?”

“Dinner is at five. Hey, is Zach still there?”

“Yep, still sleeping. Why?”

“Jay was a little upset this morning.”

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