Page 168 of One Wrong Move

She wants to come over to pick up her things. Tomorrow. Despite my siblings’ plans, I know I’ll be right here when Harper arrives. I won’t miss the chance to see her… to talk to her.

Gabriel clears his throat. “I want to have a James Bond moment. What do you say, Nate? Have you seen those high-speed boats going down the Thames?”

“A few times, yes.”

“We could rent one tomorrow night. See the city from the water. Put on tuxes and bring a few cigars.”

It’s the kind of wild plan that would be expected from me, but Gabriel has the same energy about him. He sees possibilities where others see obstacles. He’s great for my sister in that way.

“Yeah. We could do that,” I say.

I sound as enthusiastic as a doornail.

Gabriel exchanges a glance with Connie. Alec releases Isabel’s hand to reach for his glass, his frown deepening.

Oh for fuck’s sake!

I need to pull myself together like I have so many times before. Let thoughts of Harper go, bury them deep inside. But I can’t find the strength to do it. Not this time. It’s all gone. She took it with her when she walked out of this house, along with my willpower, my composure, and my happiness.

Isabel stands up from the table. “I need to use the restroom. Were our bags delivered to the hotel?”

Alec nods. “Yes. We’ll go there after dinner.”

“Great. Be right back,” she says and seems to float on her ballet flats through the battle-entrenched children into the house.

Alec and his family aren’t staying with me. He has in the past, whenever he came to London for a few days on business. He’d take the company jet and stay in my guest room, and all we’d do was work. Now they’ve booked into a five-star hotel a few streets over.

Gabriel and Connie have decided to stay here. But I can’t let them stay in the main guest room. Instead, they’re in another room on the ground floor. The bed is just as big, but the bathroom is smaller. And the view is not as nice.

Harper’s room is still Harper’s.

Gabriel excuses himself, too, and joins the warring kids. Sam squeals in delight when his new uncle joins his side of the epic conflict. Willa is clearly winning, but both kiddos are drenched in water, their clothes sticking to them. It’s perfect in this summer heat.

And I’m left alone with my siblings.

I reach for my glass and take a long sip. We’re heading to dinner after this, and I know I should slow down, but there’s absolutely no restraint left in me for that, either.

Connie shifts forward. “How have you been?”

“Fantastic,” I say.

“You told us someone was living in your guest room?”

They’re diving right in. I cross my ankle over my knee, and nod. “Yes. She was. But she moved out a few days ago.”

“Someone we know?” Alec asks. There’s faint disapproval in his voice, and it makes me want to laugh. Alec is so Alec sometimes.

“Not in person. No.”

Connie makes a low, thoughtful sound. Her green eyes feel far too sympathetic and understanding, and I hate that she’s somehow figured me out in just a few hours.

“Must have been nice, having company in this large house,” she says. “What made her move out?”

“We had an… argument.” I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s not something I care to discuss.”

“Arguments seldom are,” Alec says. He runs a hand over his short brown hair. The furrow between his eyebrows deepens. “Were you involved with her?”

“Sometimes you sound so much like Dad, it’s ridiculous.”

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