Page 45 of An Engagement for Erica

“I will have to travel for a bit. But it’s fine. Both to New York City. I’ll either stay with friends or get a hotel. It’d be a few nights and not the end of the world. Both companies are there so I’ll try to plan things around them together, but a lot of it is going to be video based once I have the initial information.”

“Look at the two of us making it big,” Erica said. “And it all started with you posting on social media saving a puppy.”

Harmony laughed. “I’d like to think it started before that, but I’m glad to know I got so many followers that way. I spent several days this week trying out products and posting on them too. They are nice and all. Some way out of my price range so I’m glad I get them free.”

Erica laughed. She wasn’t one to say influencers should have a career, but her sister was making the best of it and supplementing her business that way.

“Do it while you can,” she said.

“That’s right. I’m not telling anyone no unless I don’t like the product or what the company stands for. Someone younger andprettier is going to come along at some point, I know it. But I’d like to talk to you about something if you have the time.”

“I’ve got it. Shoot.”

“I want to pitch a facial line to Lily. I mean they’ve got the body lotions with herbs. What do you think? Crazy? I know they do everything with flowers, but maybe if Heather can come up with something. I thought maybe with my backing and following and their products, it could be a collaboration of sorts without me doing the actual work on the product end. But I’ve been contacted by some other big companies and have put them on hold. I don’t know. Tell me I’m nuts, but I’m trying to find something that extends into the future rather than just always trying to ride the here and now.”

“Not nuts,” she said. “It’s wonderful. And you know I’ll help you do the pitch. It could take them time to do something like this if they are interested, but with your help, it could be one of those teaser things too.”

“Yes,” Harmony said, doing a little shoulder wiggle. “Here is to us.”

Harmony held her half-eaten pizza up to Erica’s, they let them touch and both took a big bite.

“To us,” she said. “May the next few weeks be interesting.”

“What does that mean?” Harmony asked around a mouthful.

“Nothing,” she said innocently. “Just felt like the thing to say.”

But her sister frowned at her.

16

KEEP IT SIMPLE

“Thanks for doing this,” Tucker said the next morning. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“It’s fine,” she said.

But he wasn’t so sure it was in her eyes.

He knew he was asking a lot of her to play this ruse with him, but his grandfather was awake and alert last night. Eating well and talking in and out about things that made sense or didn’t.

One thing TC Nelay wouldn’t let go of was the fact that Tucker was engaged and planning a wedding.

He’d gently tried to steer the conversation in another direction...unsuccessfully.

“I know it’s a big ask,” he said. “I’m being told by his neurologist that some of his confusion could go away and some not. I’m just trying to focus on getting him better.”

“I know,” she said, reaching for his hand. She drove to his apartment and they’d go to New Haven together.

“I hope you didn’t have plans today,” he said. “I hate taking your weekend away from you.”

“Nonsense,” she said. “I never have much going on or end up working. My sister is working today so she has no clue that I’m gone.”

He nodded his head. “I’ve got to ask one thing before we leave.”

He knew he was pushing it, but in order to keep up the ruse, it had to be done.

“What?” she asked.

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